Continuous dosimetry of the biologically harmful UV-radiation in Antarctica with the biofilm technique.

For the first time, a continuous biological dosimetry experiment for cytotoxic solar UV-radiation has been performed in Antarctica. The biologically harmful UV-radiation on the ground was measured at the German Antarctic Georg von Neumayer Station (70 degrees 37' S, 80 degrees 22' W) from December 1990 to March 1992 using the biofilm technique. The UV-sensitive targets were dried spores of Bacillus subtilis which were immobilized on the film surface.

Long-Term Dosimetry of Solar UV Radiation in Antarctica with Spores of Bacillus subtilis.

The main objective was to assess the influence of the seasonal stratospheric ozone depletion on the UV climate in Antarctica by using a biological test system. This method is based on the UV sensitivity of a DNA repair-deficient strain of Bacillus subtilis (TKJ 6321). In our field experiment, dried layers of B.