Spectral attenuation of solar ultraviolet radiation in humic lakes in Central Finland

Importance of this paper: Increasing fluxes of solar ultraviolet-B radiation resulting from stratospheric ozone depletion pose a threat also to aquatic biota and ecosystems. Photobiological effects are not only a function of the level of irradiance, but also a function of wavelength. The penetration of UV radiation in natural waters is governed by characteristics of the water body, altering also the spectral composition of the underwater light field. Thus, when the impact of increasing UV-B radiation on aquatic environments and organisms is assessed, understanding of the patterns determining spectral underwater composition forms the basis for response evaluation.