Forel-Ule Index (FUI) Water Quality Data for UK and Atlantic Waters, 1997-2022

Forel-Ule Index (FUI) classifications derived from ocean colour satellite data describe water quality in UK and Northeast Atlantic waters. The 21-class colour comparator serves as a proxy for biological, chemical, and physical water properties. Data was aggregated by the Government Digital Service from remote sensing products.

Use Cases

• Classifying coastal and oceanic water optical types based on the 21-class Forel-Ule Index.
• Analyzing long-term water quality trends as a proxy for biological, chemical, and physical properties.
• Mapping plume extent and water colour variability in specific geographic regions.
• Correlating satellite-derived colour data with in-situ water quality measurements.

Strengths

• Covers a significant time range, from 1997 to 2022 for England and Wales.
• Derived from standardized remote sensing products, suggesting spatial consistency.
• Uses a defined 21-class colour comparator system for water type classification.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

Government Digital Service

Collection Method

Derived from ocean colour satellite data (remote sensing products).

Time Range

1997 to 2022 for England and Wales; 1997 to 2018 for the North East Atlantic.

Freshness

Data spans up to 2022, but last update date is unknown.

Geography

Coastal waters of England and Wales, and the North East Atlantic.