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Impact of increased cosmic rays, UV radiation and fragility of ozone shield on the biosphere and our health.

2022-10-11

Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy and Royal Meteorological Institute actively participate  in the new European project, EURAMET’s EPM project BIOSPHERE, which aims to study the consequences of the increasing of the biologically active UV and space radiations, with significant implication for human health, plants and ecosystems, like cancers and cellular dysfunctions.

The increasing of these biologically active radiations  is due to the raise of the atmospheric ionisation caused by extra-terrestrial cosmic rays and solar UV radiation, boosted by anthropogenic emissions. They can significantly affect the Earth biosphere by depleting the ozone layer.

Combining satellite observations and ground-based monitoring systems with scientific expertise

The project plans to combine observations by modern satellite technologies and ground-based monitoring systems with scientific expertise in biology, chemistry, environment, and radiation protection to study how increased atmospheric ionization affects the evolution of the biosphere and impacts our health status.

A consortium of no less than scientists from 22 international institutions working on the cosmic rays (CR), the solar UltraViolet (UV) radiation and their effects for the Earth's biosphere will collaborate to identify and quantify the relationship between cosmic rays, solar radiation and atmospheric composition, by conducting measurement campaigns of UV and atmospheric properties, including at the Space Pole in Brussels simultaneously with other places in Europe.

A very useful database for understanding the development of chronic diseases and cancer

EURAMET’s EPM project BIOSPHERE will create for the first time a comprehensive database of collision cross sections for natural atmospheric and anthropogenic gases. Traceable data and simulations will help investigate the contribution of combined CR and UV radiation fields in the risk for developing chronic diseases and cancer. Radiobiology / radio-oncology researchers, health groups and regulatory bodies will profit from the research data.

This project, started in October 2022  for 3 years duration, receives funding from the European Partnership on Metrology (EPM), co-financed by the European Union’s Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme and by the Participating States.

More info on https://euramet-biosphere.eu/

Contacts:

  • Communication BIRA-IASB: Stéphanie Fratta (FR) / Karolien Lefever (NL/EN)
  • Scientists BIRA-IASB : Viviane Pierrard (FR/EN) viviane(dot)pierrard(at)aeronomie(dot)be
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EURAMET’s EPM project BIOSPHERE aims to study the consequences of the increasing of the biologically active UV and space radiations, with significant implication for human health, plants and ecosystems, like cancers and cellular dysfunctions.