Investigation of Ultraviolet Radiation Index and Ecological Behavior of Citizens in Ᾱbādān

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Professor, Department of Physical Geography, University of Sisitān and Baluchestān, Zāhedān, Iran.

Abstract

This research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in Ᾱbādān in dealing with harmful ultraviolet radiation. A library method was used to identify the relationship between climate parameters and ultraviolet index, while a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens towards ultraviolet hazards. The statistical population included all citizens of Ᾱbādān, and the sample size was determined to be 384 using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pre-test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and ultraviolet radiation index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Ᾱbādān meteorological station. After estimating the monthly potential evaporation and transpiration, calculating the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index, and plotting climatic diagrams, the Pearson correlation coefficient and the coefficient of determination were used to examine the relationship between each of these factors and the ultraviolet index. The correlation coefficient between the ultraviolet index and relative humidity (-0.95) and cloudiness (-0.87) was found. The function (RSQ) also indicated the higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the study groups in Ᾱbādān regarding awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures. The results indicated that the level of awareness and education among citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and were somewhat familiar with preventive measures.
 
Extended Abstract
Introduction
The seriousness of issues such as climate change and growing concerns about its consequences has shed light on the value of researching the social and behavioral aspects of environmental problems, especially in urban settings, more than ever before. In recent years, significant changes have occurred in the physicochemical properties of the atmospheric structure. As a result of human industrial activities, a wide range of complex events have caused varying degrees of disturbance to all living beings and ecosystems. One of these detrimental events is the damage to the ozone layer. One of the most significant consequences of ozone depletion and thinning is the climate risk of increased ultraviolet radiation in the troposphere, especially in the planetary boundary layer and overall on the Earth's biosphere. The present research aimed to analyze the awareness, attitude, and ecological behavior of citizens in the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, located in the hot climate of southern Iran, in order to deal with the harmful ultraviolet radiation.
Methodology
In the present study, a library-based method was used to examine the relationship between climate parameters and UV index. Additionally, a field method and questionnaire were employed to analyze the ecological behavior of citizens in relation to UV risk. The statistical population included all citizens of Abadan, and the sample size was determined to be 384 individuals using Cochran's formula. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed through a pilot test and then completed through random sampling. Monthly averages of maximum, minimum, and average temperature, precipitation, relative humidity, cloudiness, sunshine hours, and UV index (1951-2017) were obtained from the Abadan Meteorological Station. After estimating the monthly mean potential evaporation and transpiration, the UNEP drought index and the Angot rainfall index were calculated, and climatic graphs were plotted. The correlation coefficient (Pearson) and determination coefficient were used to examine the relationship between each of these indices and the UV index. Drought indices are quantitative measures of water deficiency in a specific location, which are influenced by the interaction between precipitation, temperature, and evaporation. The United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) defines the aridity index (AI) as the ratio of total annual precipitation to potential evapotranspiration (PET). In this article, the Angot precipitation index (K) was used to identify precipitation characteristics and monthly climatic features in the coastal city of Abadan.
Results and discussion
The annual aridity index of the coastal city of Ᾱbādān, with an average annual temperature of about 26.9 degrees Celsius, an average maximum temperature of about 34.3 degrees Celsius, an average minimum temperature of about 19.5 degrees Celsius, and precipitation of 149.7 millimeters, the potential evapotranspiration of around 2832 millimeters, has been calculated to be approximately 0.04. The climate of Ᾱbādān is classified according to the Tāvousi aridity index (E24), indicating a very dry climate (E) with relatively cold winters and hot summers (Tāvousi, 2020). The monthly average in the Angot precipitation index (K) indicated that a wet period (W) occurs during a six-month period from November to late April, while a severe dry period (De) prevails from June to late September. Field data analysis and the Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures among the study groups in the city of Ᾱbādān.
Conclusion
The results of the current research indicated that the correlation coefficient of the ultraviolet index with relative humidity is -0.95 and with cloudiness is -0.87. The coefficient of determination (RSQ) also suggested a higher role of relative humidity (0.89) compared to cloudiness (0.76) in reducing the ultraviolet index. It should be noted that the solar radiation angle increases during midday and in the summer season, and as the vertical solar radiation intensity increases, the ultraviolet index also increases. The Kruskal-Wallis test indicated a significant difference in the level of awareness among the studied groups in terms of awareness, education, attitude, and preventive measures in the city of Ᾱbādān. The results suggested that the level of awareness and education of citizens regarding harmful ultraviolet radiation is moderate, while they have a very high attitude towards this environmental issue and are somewhat familiar with preventive measures.
Funding
There is no funding support.
Authors’ Contribution
The author has been alone in conceptualizing and writing the article and has approved the content of the article submitted for refereeing.
Conflict of Interest
Author declared no conflict of interest.
Acknowledgments
I am grateful to all the persons for scientific consulting in this paper.

Highlights

- The unfortunate consequence of the depletion of the ozone layer is the increase in ultraviolet radiation at the Earth's surface, which is dangerous for human health.

- One of the climate hazards in urban environments is the excessive ultraviolet radiation.

- The ecological behavior of citizens in confronting the risk of ultraviolet radiation can be an immensely beneficial solution.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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