Global Ocean Particulate Inorganic Carbon Data from MODIS Satellite

Aqua MODIS Level-3 data provides global mapped concentrations of particulate inorganic carbon (PIC), primarily calcite from coccolithophores. The dataset is produced by OB_CLOUD using the Balch & Gordon algorithm applied to ocean-color reflectance. The version is 2022.0.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms by analyzing the `pic` concentration field.
• Assess carbonate cycling and optical backscatter in the ocean using the `pic` geophysical variable.
• Provide biogeochemical context by correlating `pic` data with other ocean parameters like chlor_a, Kd_490, PAR, and SST.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage from satellite observations.
• Algorithm-derived product focused on a specific biogeochemical variable (PIC).

Limitations

• Uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal or inland waters.
• Data quality can be affected by high aerosol levels or sun glint.

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.