IMOS SNPP Satellite Data: Daily Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient (K490) for Ocean Waters

Australian Ocean Data Network provides satellite-derived measurements of the diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490nm wavelength (Kd490), which indicates light penetration in the ocean. The data is produced from the VIIRS sensor aboard the SNPP satellite platform using a semi-empirical model based on water-leaving radiance ratios. The dataset was last updated on 2026-07-13.

Use Cases

• Modeling primary productivity in ocean ecosystems based on light attenuation data.
• Monitoring coastal water clarity and turbidity changes over time.
• Calibrating or validating bio-optical models for satellite ocean color products.
• Studying the relationship between phytoplankton biomass and light availability in the water column.

Strengths

• Data is derived from the VIIRS sensor on the operational SNPP satellite platform, providing a consistent observational source.
• The algorithm for deriving Kd490 is documented and publicly available at a NASA Ocean Color website.
• The dataset was last updated on 2026-07-13, suggesting ongoing maintenance.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and spatial/temporal coverage specifics are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Australian Ocean Data Network via data.gov.au.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing via the VIIRS sensor on the SNPP platform, processed with a semi-empirical algorithm.

Time Range

Temporal coverage is not specified in the provided metadata.

Freshness

Last updated 2026-07-13 21:00:26.269263; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Geographic coverage is not specified, but the data source (IMOS) suggests a focus on Australian regional waters.