BIOLOGY PROJECT ON ULTRAVIOLET RAYS

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In partial fulfillment of project in Biology
By: - Azizur Rahman
Submitted to: Mr. K.K.Pandey
Department of Biology
D.A.V. Public School, Walmi complex
[Affiliated to CBSE, New Delhi]
Session: - 2011-2012
put an appropriate 'word art" named 'laboratory certificate'
This is to certify that the project work titled is a bonafide record done by Azizur Rahman of class
XIIth B
Board Roll No: -
In partial fulfillment of the project in Biology during the year 2011-2012
Mr. K.K. Pandey
Ms. Kankana Ghosh
Department of Biology
Principal
Submitted for All India Senior School Certificate Practical (AISSCP)
Certified that the candidate was examined by us in the project work/viva voce examination held
at D.A.V Public School, Walmi on . In Biology Lab
Internal examiner

external examiner

Date: -

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my chemistry mentors Mr. K.K.Pandey
Sir, Deptt. of Biology for his vital support, guidance and encouragement without which this
project would not have come forth from my side.
I would also like to express my heartily
gratitude to the lab assistant Mr. Ritesh for his support during the making of this project.
Special thanks of mine goes to my colleague
Ujjwal Kr. and Md. Arman who helped me a lot in completing the project by giving interesting
ideas, thoughts & made this project easy and accurate. I wish to thanks my parents for their
undivided support & interest who inspired me & encouraged me to go my own way, without
which I would be unable to complete my project. And at last but by no means the least I would
thank to God who made all the things possible.

INTRODUCTION
In the present 21st century world, one does not need to say about ultra violet rays, it is the most
ignited topic in this era. From the common man to the Academicians, UV rays hold an important
place in their debate.
UV rays have been discussed for a long time all around the world especially after the
discovery of the hole in the ozone layer in 1990s.The hole meant the approaching slow
death of our mother earth. A host of studies on this topic has been undertaken by many
people and organizations such as the United Nations, Green Peace, etc.
At the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development
(UNCED) in 1992, it was declared under Agenda 21 that there should be activities on the
effects of UV radiation. In response to Agenda 21, WHO in collaboration with the United
Nations Environment Programme, the World Meteorological Organization, The International
Agency on Cancer Research and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation
Protection set up Intersun, The Global UV Project.
Even when the whole world only speaks about this great calamity that has befallen on our mother
earth, it would surely be a great injustice on part of the young generation as this slow killer is
growing old with the young generation and they are the one who should live on this earth with
this growing menace. Thus taking into consideration of these points, this project has been taken
up not only to know about UV rays but also how it affects the bio diversity of our planet and how
its effect can be minimized.
Here, this project deals with the above mentioned points. Also the project aims to give a
comprehensive picture on the impending disaster that would take place if we be ignorant on this
issue.

CONTENTS
1) ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
1.1) Sources of UV rays

1.2) UV-A, UV-B & UV-C

2) EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON NATURE
2.1) Damage to marine life
2.2) Degradation of polymers, pigments and dyes
3) HARMFUL EFFECTS ON HUMANS
3.1) Effects on Eye
3.2) Effects on Skin
3.3) Genetic effects
3.4) Effects on immune system
4) OZONE DEPLETION AND UV RADIATIONS
5) VULNERABILITIES DUE TO UV RADIAT1ONS
ULTRAVIOLET RAYS
In 1801, the German Physicist Johann Wilhelm Ritter, found that there is existence of some
invisible rays beyond the violet end of the visible spectrum of the light. Those invisible rays
darken silver chloride even more efficiently than visible light. This spectra region between
visible light and X-rays was found to be more chemically active than visible light, and was
named as the ultraviolet region.
Ultraviolet (UV) light is electromagnetic radiation with a wavelength shorter than that of visible
light, but longer than x-rays, in the range of 10 nm to 400 nm, and energies from 3 eV to 124 eV.
The name Ultra Violet means beyond violet (from Latin ultra, = beyond). Violet, being
the colour of the shortest wavelengths of visible light, UV light has even shorter wavelength than
that of the violet light. The electromagnetic spectrum of ultraviolet light can be subdivided in a
number of ways. The draft ISO standard on determining solar radiances (ISO-DIS-21348)
describes the following ranges:
Wavelength range in
Energy per
Name
Abbreviation
nanometers
photon
Ultraviolet A, long wave, or black
UVA
400 nm320 nm
3.103.94 eV
light
Near
NUV
400 nm300 nm
3.104.13 eV
Ultraviolet B or medium wave
UVB
320 nm280 nm
3.944.43 eV
Middle
MUV
300 nm200 nm
4.136.20 eV
Ultraviolet C, short wave, or
UVC
280 nm100 nm
4.4312.4 eV
germicidal
Far
FUV
200 nm122 nm
6.2010.2 eV
Vacuum
VUV
200 nm10 nm
6.20124 eV
Extreme
EUV
121 nm10 nm
10.2124 eV
SOURCES OF UV RAYS
The Sun emits ultraviolet radiation in UV-A, UV-B, and UV-C bands. The Earths ozone layer
blocks 98.7% of this UV radiation from penetrating through the Earths atmosphere. 98.7% of
the ultraviolet radiation that reaches the Earths surface is UVA.

Other sources: There are also several artificial methods to produce UV rays such as from black
light (Woods light), Ultraviolet fluorescent lamps, Ultraviolet LEDs, Ultraviolet lasers,
synchrotron radiation sources, Argon and deuterium discharge lamps etc.

UV-A, UV-B & UV-C

Among the different types of UV rays, we consider the main subdivisions as UV-A, UV-B &
UV-C.
UV-A (320-400 nm):Ultraviolet
light, type A. These are rays of light from the sun which are not visible but can cause damage to
the skin.
UV-B (280-320 nm):Ultraviolet
light, type B. These are rays of light from the sun which are not visible but can cause damage to
the skin.
The amount of UV-B light received by a location is strongly dependent on:
Latitude and elevation of the location: At highlatitude Polar Regions, the sun is always low in the sky. So the sunlight passes through
atmosphere and most of the UV-B rays are absorbed. For this reason, average UV-B exposure at
the poles is over a thousand times lower than at the equator.

Cloud Cover:
The reduction in
UV-B exposure depends on the thickness of cloud cover.

Proximity to an industrial area: Due to the

protection offered by photochemical smog, industrial processes produce ozone, one of the most
irritating components of smog. So it absorbs UV-B. This is thought to be one of the main
reasons of ozone losses in the southern hemisphere. The loss has not been mirrored in the
northern hemisphere.
UV-C (100-280 nm): UV-C rays
are highest energetic and most dangerous type of ultraviolet light. Exposure to it can even lead to
death. Little attention has been given to UV-C rays in the past since they are filtered out by the
atmosphere. However, their use in equipment such as pond sterilization units may pose an
exposure risk, if the lamp is switched on outside of its enclosed pond sterilization unit.

EFFECTS OF UV RADIATION ON NATURE

The effects of UV radiation on earths ecosystems are not completely understood. Even isolating
the effects of UV-A versus UV-B is somewhat arbitrary. Studies have shown that increased UV
radiation can cause significant damage, particularly to small animals and plants. Phytoplankton,
fish eggs, and young plants with developing leaves are particularly susceptible to damage from
over exposure to UV.

Solar UV radiation levels are highest

during the middle of the day. In total, almost half the daytime the total UV radiation is received
during the few hours around noontime. The sunlight reaching us consists of approximately 0.5%
of UV-B radiation in terms of radiant energy. Clouds, as well as ozone have a tremendous affect
on UV radiation levels. However, cloudy skies generally do not offer significant protection from
UV. Thin or scattered clouds can have minor impacts on UV and even, for a short time increase
in UV, it would be on a blue sky day by further scattering the radiation and increasing the levels
that reach the surface.
DAMAGE TO MARINE LIFE
The penetration of increased amounts of UV-B light has caused great concern over the health of
marine plankton that densely populates the top 2 meters of ocean water. The natural protective
response of most chlorophyll containing cells to increased light-radiation is to produce more
light-absorbing pigments but this protective response is not triggered by UV-B light. Another
possible response of plankton is to sink deeper into the water but this reduces the amount of
visible light that they need for photosynthesis, and thereby reduces their growth and reproduction
rate. In other words, the amount of food and oxygen produced by plankton could be reduced by
UV exposure without killing individual organisms.
DEGRADATION OF PIGMENTS, POLYMERS AND DYES

Many polymers used in consumer products are degraded by UV light. The problem appears as
discoloration or fading, cracking and sometimes disintegration of total product, if cracking has
proceeded sufficiently. The rate of attack increases with exposure time and sunlight intensity. It is
known as UV degradation, and is one form of polymer degradation. Sensitive polymers include
thermoplastics, such as polypropylene and polyethylene as well as special fibres like Aramids.
There are several other considerations:
Ultraviolet levels are over 1,000 times higher at the equator than at the Polar Regions so
it is presumed that marine life at the equator is much better adapted to the higher environmental
UV light radiation than organisms in the Polar Regions. The current concern of marine biologists
is mostly over the more sensitive Antarctic phytoplankton which normally would receive very
low doses of UV. Only one large-scale field survey of Antarctic phytoplankton has been carried
out so far [Smith et.al _Science_1992]; they found a 6-12% drop in phytoplankton productivity
in Antarctica. Since the hole only lasts from 10-12weeks, this translates into a 2-4% loss overall,
a measurable but not yet a catastrophic loss.
Both plants and phytoplankton vary widely in their sensitivity to UV-B. When over 200
agricultural plants were tested, more than half of them showed sensitivity to UV-B light. Other
plants showed a small increase in vigor or even negligible effects. Even within a species there
were marked of differences. For example, one variety of soybeans showed a 16% decrease in
growth while another variety of the same soybean showed no effect [R. Parson]. An increase in
UV-B could cause a shift in population rather than a large die-off of plants.

An increase in UV-B will cause in production of Ozone at lower levels in the atmosphere.
While some have hailed the protection offered by this pollution-shield. Many plants have
shown themselves to be very sensitive to photochemical smog.

HARMFUL EFFECTS ON HUMANS

Being the one which commonly affects our health, we usually discuss the harmful effects of UVB. The consequences of increased exposure of the human body to UV-B radiation will in the first
instance be characterized by the physical properties of this type of radiation. UV-B radiation does
not penetrate far into the body as most of it is absorbed in the superficial tissue layers of 0.1 mm
depth. This limits the primary effects to the skin and the eyes. However, there are also systemic
effects. These start with a primary reaction in the superficial layers, but have consequences
throughout the body. It is the main cause of sunburn and tanning and it has some influences on
the immune system too. UV-B radiation is also the main cause of snow blindness and an
important factor in the induction of cataracts. UV-B radiation contributes significantly to the
ageing of the skin and eyes and it is the UV-B range that is most effective in causing skin cancer.
GENETIC
Ultraviolet photons harm the DNA molecules of living organisms in different ways. DNA
absorbs UV-B light and the absorbed energy can break bonds in the DNA. Most of the DNA
breakages are repaired by proteins present in the cells nucleus. These may mend the damage or
part of the damage. The repair systems may, however, themselves be damaged by increased UVB exposure. But unrepaired genetic damage of the DNA can lead to skin cancers. In one common
damage event, adjacent thymine bases bond with each other, instead of across the ladder. This
makes a bulge, and the distorted DNA molecule does not function properly.
EFFECTS ON SKIN
Ultraviolet (UV) radiation present in sunlight is an environmental human
carcinogen. The toxic effects of UV from natural sunlight and therapeutic artificial
lamps are a major concern for human health. The major acute effects of UV
irradiation on normal human skin comprise sunburn, inflammation, erythema,
tanning and local or systemic immune-suppression.
1. Sunburn:
One of the most common effects of UV exposure is erythema also known as sunburn. Sunburn
occurs when skin cells are damaged by the absorption of energy from UV rays. To compensate
for this injury, the skin sends extra blood to the damaged skin in an attempt to repair it. Thus,
accounting for the redness that is associated with sunburn, the amount of time it takes for
sunburn to occur is dependent mostly on the relative amounts of UV rays that are hitting the skin
and on a persons skin type. People with naturally dark skin already have inherently high levels
of melanin, and so are able to spend a longer amount of time in the sun before burning. Fairskinned people dont have it quite so easy as burning can occur within a relatively short amount
of time.
2. Sun tan:
As a defense
against UV radiation, the amount of the brown pigment melanin in the skin increases when

exposed to moderate (depending on skin type) levels of radiation. This is commonly known as
sun tan. The purpose of melanin is to absorb UV radiation and dissipate the energy as harmless
heat, blocking the UV from damaging skin tissue. UV-A gives a quick tan that lasts for days by
oxidizing melanin that was already present and triggers the release of the melanin from
melanocytes. UV-B yields a tan that takes roughly 2 days to develop because it stimulates the
body to produce more melanin. The photochemical properties of melanin make it an excellent
photoprotectant.
3.

Photodermatoses:
Photodermatoses are
skin diseases where the skin lesions are caused by light. Such lesions may be itching papules,
whaling of the skin, fierce reddening and peeling etc. The more sensitive patients cannot even
stand one minute of outdoor daylight. In these diseases the UV-B radiation in sunlight is the
predominant causative agent. Loss of adaptation of the skin to light appears to be a predominant
factor for these diseases.

4.

Premature Ageing of
Skin:
Another effect of
ultraviolet rays on the skin is premature ageing of the skin. Recent studies have shown that many
of the symptoms commonly associated with mere ageing (i.e. wrinkles, loosening of the skin)
may instead be related to UV exposure. Even careful tanning kills skin cells, damages DNA and
causes permanent changes in skin connective tissues which lead to wrinkle formation in later
life. UV-A, UV-B and UV-C, all these can damage collagen fibers and thereby accelerate aging
of the skin. Both UV-A and UV-B destroy vitamin A in skin which may cause further damage.

5.

Skin
Cancer:
9 0%
of the skin carcinomas are attributed to UV-B exposure [Wayne] and the chemical mechanism by
which it causes skin cancer has been identified [Tevini]. The above named carcinomas are
relatively easy to treat, if detected in time, and are rarely fatal.
There are various types of skin cancer. One main class is formed by the coetaneous melanomas,
the cancers of the pigment cells. This appears to be a correlation between brief and high intensity
exposures to UV and eventual appearance (as long as 10-20yrs) of melanoma.
The other main types are basal cell carcinomas and squamous cell carcinomas, cancers of the
epithelial cells. These carcinomas of the skin are sometimes, collectively, called non-melanoma
skin cancers. For the present example we will deal with these non-melanoma skin cancers. In
white Caucasians, the incidence of these cancers ranks high among the various types of cancer.
In some populations it is in fact the highest of all. The incidence is lower in more pigmented
populations, typically by a factor of 10 or even 100. The mortality rate is low in comparison with
that for other types of cancer approximately 1% in areas with good medical care.
The non-melanoma skin cancers are clearly correlated to sunlight. They occur mostly in lightskinned people and then predominantly on skin areas which are most exposed to sunlight, such
as the face. In people of comparable genetic background, the incidences are higher in the sunnier
geographical areas.

Early experiments showed that white rats exposed to sunlight developed skin cancers, but similar
rats exposed to sunlight filtered through window glass did not. As the window glass absorbed
mainly UV-B radiation, this result indicated that the carcinogenic effect to a large extent due to
the UV-B radiation in sunlight.
In technical terms, carcinogenic effectiveness was defined as the reciprocal value of the daily
dose of radiation at a certain wavelength required for the induction of tumors of 1 mm diameter
in 50% of a group of mice in 300 days. The tumors in these mice were predominantly squamous
cell carcinomas.
DNA DAMAGE
UV-B light can cause direct DNA damage. The radiation excites DNA molecules in skin cells,
causing aberrant covalent bonds to form between adjacent cytosine bases, producing a dimer.
When DNA polymerase comes along to replicate this strand of DNA, it reads the dimer as AA
and not the original CC. This causes the DNA replication mechanism to add a TT on the
growing strand. This is a mutation, which can result in cancerous growths and is known as a
classical C-T mutation. The mutations that are caused by the direct DNA damage carry a UV
signature mutation that is commonly seen in skin cancers.
EFFECTS ON EYES
High intensities of UV-B light are hazardous to the eyes and exposure can cause welders
flash (photokeratitis or arc eye) and may lead to cataracts, pterygium, and pinguecula formation.
Another possible eye damage that can result from high doses of UV light is particularly to the
cornea which is a good absorber of UV light. High doses of UV light can cause a temporary
clouding of the cornea called snow-blindness and chronic doses has been tentatively linked to
the formation of cataracts. High incidences of cataracts are found at high elevations, Tibet and
Bolivia and higher incidences are seen at lower latitudes (approaching the equator). UV light is
absorbed by molecules known as chromophores, which are present in the eye cells and tissues.
Chromophores absorb light energy from the various wavelengths at different rates a pattern
known as absorption spectrum. If too much UV light is absorbed, eye structures such as the
cornea, the lens and the retina can be damaged.
EFFECTS ON IMMUNE SYSTEM
Prolonged exposure can damage the human immune system. Cells or tissue components which
are altered by the radiation may be recognized as foreign material by the immune system and are
removed. Certain functions of the immune system are however, suppressed by exposure to UV-B
radiation. When skin is exposed to more UV-B radiation then it is accustomed to its ability to
adapt.
OZONE DEPLETION AND UV RADIATIONS
Ozone depletion results in an increase of UV-B radiation, but the shorter the wavelength, the
stronger the increase within the UV-B range. 1% decrease in the ozone layer will cause an
estimated 2% increase in UV-B irradiation; it is estimated that this will lead to a 4% increase in

basal carcinomas and 6% increase in squamous-cell carcinomas [Graedel & Crutzen]. Many
scientists today believe that this life-protecting stratospheric ozone layer is being reduced by the
chlorofluorocarbon (CFCs) gases released into the atmosphere by different sources on the earth.
Many environment groups are vehemently protesting against the use of these gases and their use
in many places in the world has been banned. Pollution on the earth has already caused a hole in
the ozone layer above the Antarctic.
VULNERABILITIES DUE TO UV RADIATIONS
A diagram produced by WHO based on global burden of diseases from solar ultraviolet
radiation in the year 2006.

CONCLUSION
Thus we can conclude that UV rays have a disastrous impact on our planet. It will lead to many
dangers which would affect not only us but also the entire living community on this earth. UV
rays can lead to many unforeseen disasters which can signal the end of life on this beautiful
planet.
All the dangers attributed to UV rays reaching our earth reside only on man. Man by his reckless
actions has dug graves not only for himself but also for the earth too. Its his only responsibility
to restore the earth back to its healthy mode.
Thus, a concerted effort is needed on the side of mankind to quickly address this danger. Steps
have to be taken from individual to the international level to protect our earth. From abandoning
plastics to decrease the dependence on automobiles, man has to be careful to ensure that he does
not push earth to its death. We also need to ensure that we do not create UV rays by machines
and their usage must be strongly restricted only to the academic field. Also we need to create
awareness among ourselves on the need of the hour to protect life. Its a pity that we try to blame
domestic animals for increasing the levels of methane in the atmosphere. What we need to
understand is that their methane levels are nothing as compared to our creation of a hole on the
ozone layer. Their actions are too small to be compared to our sins.
Being a part of future generation, the student community also needs to be aware about the topic
which is a prime reason for me selecting this project. We too should take care not to harm our
earth in any way. Always we should remember that we have not inherited the earth from our
fathers but have leased it from our future generations. This alone will make us responsible
and be steadfast in our Endeavour to combat the penetration of UV rays.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
R.Parson, FAQ 111, UV and biological effects of UV.
FDA Consumer Magazine and publications: FDA#87-8272, #81-8149 and #92-1146.
M.Tevini, UV-B Radiation and Ozone Depletion: Effects on humans, animals, plants,
microorganisms and materials Lewis Pub. Boca Raton, 1993.
R.P.Wayne, Chemistry of the Atmospheres 2nd ed. Oxford 1991.
R.Smith, Ozone depletion: Ultraviolet radiation and phytoplankton biology in Antarctic
watersScience, 255, 952. (1992).

Brien Sparling, UV Radiation.

Sun Smart publications, UV Rays.
Jan C. van der Leun and Frank R. de Gruijl, Influences of Ozone Depletion on Human
and Animal Health.