Aqua MODIS Level-3 Global Binned Fluorescence Line Height (FLH) - Near Real-time (NRT) Dat

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC produces near real-time (NRT) Fluorescence Line Height (FLH) data from the Aqua MODIS satellite. The dataset quantifies red chlorophyll-a fluorescence emitted by phytoplankton, used for detecting harmful algal blooms and assessing productive waters. Inputs and calibration for this NRT product are described as less than optimal, providing a snapshot from a single orbit.

Use Cases

• Detect and track harmful algal blooms (HABs) based on elevated normalized fluorescence line height (nflh) values.
• Identify productive ocean waters for fisheries management based on phytoplankton fluorescence signals.
• Assess phytoplankton physiology and stress in different marine environments using the fluorescence line height metric.
• Study the relationship between phytoplankton activity and available light using the included instantaneous photosynthetically available radiation (ipar) variable.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data, offering a rapid snapshot of ocean conditions.
• Includes a geophysical variable for instantaneous photosynthetically available radiation (ipar) alongside the primary fluorescence measurement.
• Dataset is produced by the NASA Ocean Biology DAAC, indicating an authoritative source for satellite ocean color data.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The description notes uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal and inland waters.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via the nasa_earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the Aqua MODIS instrument, processed to Level-3 binned products.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); specific last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.