Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-368
https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2025-368
06 Oct 2025
 | 06 Oct 2025
Status: this preprint is currently under review for the journal ESSD.

First High-Resolution Surface Spectral Clear-Sky Ultraviolet Radiation Dataset across China (1981–2023): Development, Validation, and Variability

Qinghai Qi, Yuting Tan, Christian A Gueymard, Martin Wild, Bo Hu, Wenmin Qin, Taowen Sun, Ming Zhang, and Lunche Wang

Abstract. Solar ultraviolet radiation (UV) plays a fundamental role in the Earth’s energy balance, influencing a wide range of processes, including material degradation, biophysical reactions, ecological dynamics, or public health. In this context, the first high-resolution (10×10 km) hourly dataset of surface solar UV under clear-sky conditions over mainland China from 1981 to 2023 is introduced, derived from ERA5 and MERRA2 reanalysis data and a reconstruction based on the SMARTS (Simple Model of the Atmospheric Radiative Transfer of Sunshine) spectral model. Leveraging the SMARTS model’s accuracy and capabilities, this dataset provides UV data at 0.5 nm intervals between 280 nm and 400 nm, offering enhanced granularity for wavelength-specific analysis, thus filling a key gap in high-resolution hourly UV data for China. Validation of the UV dataset against ground observations at 37 stations of the Chinese Ecosystem Research Network (CERN) demonstrates strong performance, with a correlation coefficient (R), root mean square error (RMSE), and mean bias error (MBE) of 0.919, 5.07 W m-2 and −0.07 W m-2, respectively. Compared with the Earth’s Radiant Energy System (CERES) UV product, this dataset offers higher spatial and temporal resolution as well as higher accuracy in comparison with observations, thus enhancing data quality for a wide range of applications. The spatial and temporal distribution of clear-sky UV radiation exhibits distinct regional and seasonal variations, with higher values in the west and south, and lower values in the east and north. Over the past 43 years, the annual mean clear-sky broadband UV radiation averaged over China was 20.05 W m⁻², showing a slightly increasing trend (+0.0237 W m⁻²yr⁻¹). This dataset is now available at https://cjgeodata.cug.edu.cn/#/pageDetail?id=110 or https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28234298, offering a valuable resource for addressing regional challenges related to UV radiation.

Competing interests: Martin Wild is a member of the editorial board of Earth System Science Data.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this paper. While Copernicus Publications makes every effort to include appropriate place names, the final responsibility lies with the authors. Views expressed in the text are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher.
Share
Qinghai Qi, Yuting Tan, Christian A Gueymard, Martin Wild, Bo Hu, Wenmin Qin, Taowen Sun, Ming Zhang, and Lunche Wang

Status: open (until 12 Nov 2025)

Comment types: AC – author | RC – referee | CC – community | EC – editor | CEC – chief editor | : Report abuse
Qinghai Qi, Yuting Tan, Christian A Gueymard, Martin Wild, Bo Hu, Wenmin Qin, Taowen Sun, Ming Zhang, and Lunche Wang

Data sets

A 0.5 nm high-resolution (1 h, 10 km) surface solar clear-sky ultraviolet radiation dataset for China (1981–2023) Qinghai Qi et al. https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.28234298

Qinghai Qi, Yuting Tan, Christian A Gueymard, Martin Wild, Bo Hu, Wenmin Qin, Taowen Sun, Ming Zhang, and Lunche Wang

Viewed

Total article views: 40 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
39 1 0 40 1 1
  • HTML: 39
  • PDF: 1
  • XML: 0
  • Total: 40
  • BibTeX: 1
  • EndNote: 1
Views and downloads (calculated since 06 Oct 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 06 Oct 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 40 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 40 with geography defined and 0 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 07 Oct 2025
Download
Short summary
This research presents China's first long-term (1981–2023) hyperspectral ultraviolet radiation dataset with exceptional 0.5 nm spectral resolution. The spectral detail enables precise identification of UV absorption characteristics and atmospheric interactions previously obscured in conventional broadband measurements. These results provide new capabilities for monitoring ozone depletion, and optimizing solar energy systems across China's diverse climatic regions.
Share
Altmetrics