Case studies of spectral atmospheric transmittance in the ultraviolet and visible regions in Athens, Greece I. Total transmittance

This work accounts for an investigation about the diurnal variation of total spectral transmittance of solar irradiance under dominant wind conditions as case studies. Such a work is carried out in Athens for the first time. The spectral transmittance values estimated were derived using Ž . ground-based spectral measurements of beam irradiance in the range 310–575 nm UV and VIS . The data were recorded by a system consisting of an automatic solar tracker and a spectrometer. All data were recorded under clear-sky conditions in the city center of Athens and the spectral total atmospheric transmittance was estimated towards zenith to avoid optical mass effects. The comparison reveals that the total atmospheric transmittance is higher under the influence of strong Etesian compared to sea-breeze conditions. The influence of low-pressure systems also plays a depollution role in the basin. Various features of diurnal variation are discussed with respect to emission sources, topographic peculiarities and wind pattern. q 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.