Solar UV-B dosimetry in situ with ‘D-dosimeter’: effect of ozone depletion on the Vitamin D synthetic capacity of sunlight

Vitamin D synthesis under solar UV-B radiation (280–315 nm) occurs widely in nature being an inherent characteristic of mammals and plants. Current data suggest that pro-Vitamin D can act as an UV-B receptor in plants, and thus monitoring the Vitamin D synthetic capacity of sunlight should be the subject of UV-B dosimetry. With this aim ‘D-dosimeter’ based on an in vitro model of Vitamin D synthesis has been designed for direct monitoring the Vitamin D synthetic capacity of sunlight in situ. Besides, ‘D-dosimeter’ possesses spectral selectivity that is helpful for detecting mid-latitude UV-B trends which accuracy is hindered by variations of solar UV radiation by clouds and aerosols, that have a comparable effect on UV-B caused by variations in stratospheric ozone.