Aqua MODIS Level-3 Particulate Organic Carbon: Global Ocean Surface Data

Near real-time satellite data provides a snapshot of Particulate Organic Carbon concentration in the global ocean surface. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces this product using the best-available ancillary meteorological and ozone data. POC is used to quantify surface carbon stocks and support biogeochemical studies.

Use Cases

• Quantify surface ocean carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Support biogeochemical and export-flux studies based on ocean-color reflectance-derived POC.
• Provide ecological context for marine systems alongside other variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing a snapshot from a single satellite orbit.
• Product is derived from ocean-color reflectance measured by the Aqua MODIS satellite sensor.
• Geophysical variable is based on the D. Stramski, 2007 algorithm (443/555 version).

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count and column definitions are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Inputs and calibration used are described as 'less than optimal' for the near real-time product.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center (OB.DAAC)

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the Aqua MODIS instrument, processed using the D. Stramski, 2007 algorithm.

Freshness

Near real-time

Geography

Global ocean