INVESTIGADORES
ZAGARESE Horacio Ernesto
artículos
Título:
Ultraviolet radiation and ozone depletion: studies in aquatic systems of the Patagonia region, South America
Autor/es:
VIRGINIA VILLAFAÑE,; WALTER HELBLING,; HORACIO ZAGARESE
Revista:
AMBIO
Referencias:
Año: 2001 vol. 30 p. 112 - 117
ISSN:
0044-7447
Resumen:
Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR,
280 - 400 nm) is known to cause a number of detrimental effects in aquatic
organisms. The Patagonia region is SOMETIMES
under the influence of the Antarctic ozone hole, receiving temporarily (OCASIONAL) enhanced levels of ultraviolet B radiation
(UV-B, 280 - 315 nm). In Addition, Patagonia This provides a very interesting scenario OPORTUNITIES
to carry out photobiological studies due to the large variety of marine and
freshwater water bodies. Several funding
agencies have put efforts to set a database for the UVR climatology in the
region by installing a variety of instruments in several localities. However, not comparable effort has been made
to determine the impact of normal and enhanced levels of solar UVR upon diverse
organisms of Patagonia.
At present, most of the photobiological research in the Patagonia region has focused in determining
the effects of solar UVR in phytoplankton photosynthesis and DNA damage, and
mortality, fecundity and repair mechanisms in zooplanktonic species. Some work has also been done with fish larvae
and interactions between species at lower levels of the aquatic trophic
web. Future needs for UVR studies in
aquatic systems of the Patagonia region should include more research on the impact of both normal and
enhanced levels of solar UVR upon key species of the trophic web in freshwater
and marine environments with different bio - optical characteristics.