OBJECTIVEThis work explores the diurnal variation of Solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and total solar radiation (TSR) in northeast China, using daily observations of UVR and TSR in Shenyang.

METHODSUVR and TSR measurements were carried out from March 1st, 2006 to December 31st, 2009 in Shenyang, Liaoning province, China (41°51' N, 123°27' E).

RESULTSBoth TSR and UVR showed seasonal variation, reaching the highest levels in summer and the lowest in winter. They showed the greatest fluctuation in summer and autumn. The irradiance of TSR and UVR on clear days around the equinoxes and solstices increased substantially compared with the mean seasonal irradiance, especially in autumn. The whole day accumulated dose of UVR in winter was far less than that during the middle part of a summer day (i.e. between 10:00 and 14:00). It was also less than the accumulated summer dose of morning and afternoon (i.e. between 8:00 and 10:00 and 14:00 and 16:00).

CONCLUSIONThe instant irradiance and daily accumulated amount of UVR are low in Shenyang, especially in autumn and winter. Thus concern about the health effects arising because shortage of UVR in northeast China is warranted.