Global Satellite Data on Ocean Particulate Inorganic Carbon

2022.0 version data provides global measurements of particulate inorganic carbon (calcite) concentration in the ocean surface. The dataset is produced by the OB_CLOUD organization using the Balch & Gordon algorithm applied to Aqua MODIS satellite ocean-color reflectance. It supports analysis of coccolithophore blooms and marine carbonate cycling.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms by analyzing spatial and temporal patterns in the 'pic' concentration field.
• Assess marine carbonate cycling and optical backscatter by correlating the 'pic' variable with other oceanographic parameters like chlor_a and SST.
• Provide biogeochemical context for ocean models by integrating the global 'pic' data as a boundary condition or validation dataset.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage from satellite observations.
• Algorithm-specific product (Balch & Gordon) for particulate inorganic carbon retrieval.

Limitations

• Increased retrieval uncertainty in optically complex coastal and inland waters, as noted in the description.
• Data quality is affected by high aerosol levels and sun glint, requiring use of quality flags.

Provenance

Source

NASA Earthdata (Aqua MODIS satellite), processed by OB_CLOUD.

Collection Method

Derived from ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm.

Time Range

null

Freshness

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Geography

Global ocean coverage.