UV and IR

UV and IR Spectroscopy Difference

Let's have a look at UV and IR spectroscopy radiations and compare their differences in more detail below.

Ultraviolet Radiation

UV radiation concerns the section of the electromagnetic spectrum ranging from X-rays to the violet end of visible light. Ultraviolet radiation is not visible to us humans, but when fluorescent materials absorb UV radiation, they will become excited. The sun's scorching surface emits UV radiation that reaches the Earth's atmosphere.

The Earth's atmosphere has its own UV protection: the ozone layer.

The Ozone Layer

The ozone layer is a subsection of the stratosphere with the most significant molecule of ozone (O₃) concentration. Ozone is formed from oxygen molecules being split up by short-wavelength ultraviolet radiation from the sun. This produces an oxygen atom and an oxygen free radical, reacting with an alternative oxygen molecule and forming ozone. These ozone molecules are broken up by long-wavelength UV radiation forming oxygen molecules and an oxygen free radical, which reforms ozone elsewhere. Therefore, oxygen and ozone work together to protect the planet from harmful ultraviolet radiation.

Infrared Radiation

Infrared radiation concerns the part of the electromagnetic spectrum between the red end of visible light and microwaves. Infrared radiation is also emitted from scorching surfaces like the sun. Absorption of infrared radiation produces a warming effect on a surface, and in the case of the sea, it can penetrate 100s of metres down, but with little warming effects in the depths of the oceans.

Effects of IR and UV on the Planet

Infrared, ultraviolet, and harmful forms of radiation, so when more radiation reaches the planet, damage is done to humans, ecosystems, and the climate. Let's first look at what affects the amount of radiation reaching the Earth's surface.

The Effects of IR Radiation: Greenhouse Gases

The effects of infrared radiation from the sun are essential in warming our planet and maintaining a temperate environment so life can survive. However, greenhouse gas emissions from human activity are causing the amount of IR radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface to increase. Greenhouse gases absorb IR radiation and re-emit it in all directions. So, when IR is reflected or re-emitted from the Earth's surface, instead of travelling back into space, some radiation is absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-emitted towards Earth's surface.

The Effects of UV Radiation: Ozone Depletion

The ozone layer is vital in protecting our planet from dangerous ultraviolet radiation effects. However, gaseous emissions from industrial activity in the 1900s are resulting in ozone layer depletion. Harmful molecules such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are split up into dangerous chlorine free radicals. These free radicals react with ozone molecules, forming oxygen molecules and other free radicals (like chlorine monoxide). This will reduce the ability of the ozone layer to absorb UV radiation, and more will reach the Earth's surface.

Increased IR Radiation

An increase in the amount of IR radiation reaching the Earth's surface will cause the warming of the Earth's system. This warming has a variety of negative impacts, such as:

• melting ice caps,

• rising sea levels,

• droughts,

• forest fires,

• increased precipitation,

• and increasingly frequent severe weather.

All these impacts will cause habitat fragmentation and mass species migrations that pressure ecosystems to adapt. Rising global temperatures will also cause agricultural methods to become more expensive, and less-developed countries in hotter climates to struggle with water shortages.

Increased UV Radiation

Ultraviolet radiation transmits far more energy than IR and can directly harm humans and animals.

• Overexposure to UV radiation has been shown to cause various forms of cancer in humans and eye defects such as cataracts.

• Increased UV exposure affects the producer populations of ecosystems too. Less energy is available in high UV environments, so the developmental stages of photosynthetic organisms are elongated.

This will have ramifications for the entire ecosystem. This can be anything from dependent pollinators and herbivores to microorganisms that require the circulation of organic material to survive.