UV effects in "the real world": problems of UV dosimetry in complex organisms

Understanding the effects of UV radiation on higher plants and animals is essential for evaluating the consequences of environmental changes which could alter the UV levels in the biosphere. Although analytical approaches for quantifying UV exposures and resulting cellular damage levels in optically simple systems (DNA in dilute solution, viruses or microorganisms in dilute suspension and monolayers of cultured cells) are well known, these methods may not be applicable to optically complex systems, such as multilayered plants and animals, or microorganisms in absorbing milieu such as natural lakes or oceans. Understanding the problems, pitfalls and solutions to the quantification of UV exposures and cellular damage is critical for evaluating the effects of environmental UV on complex organisms.