How to Monitor Ultraviolet Radiation From the Sun in the Forest

Chlorophyll is part of a class of pigments in plants and some other living organisms. They mainly utilize ultraviolet light energy to convert carbon dioxide gas and water into sugars and oxygen through photosynthesis. The key to measuring the amount of ultraviolet radiation from the sun is testing the oxygen production and release of water by plants during transpiration at night. The more UV light the plants receive, the more oxygen they produce.

Things You'll Need

• Clear plastic trash bag
• Measuring cup
• String
• Dissolved oxygen test kit from pool supply company

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Instructions

1. • 1

     Wrap a small tree branch with leaves inside a clear plastic trash bag. Sunlight must be able to reach the leaves, so the plastic bag must be clear.

   • 2

     Tie the string around the bag opening and the branch, to keep the water inside when released at night.

   • 3

     Every day, measure the amount of dissolved oxygen in the released water, using the test kit. Clear days should produce more oxygen than cloudy days, as more UV light reaches the leaves to produce oxygen through photosynthesis.