NOAA-20 VIIRS: Global Near Real-time Particulate Organic Carbon from Satellite

Near real-time (NRT) satellite-derived data of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentration in the global ocean. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces this data suite using inputs from the NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor and ancillary meteorological and ozone data. POC data 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 using POC alongside other variables like chlor_a and SST.
• Provide ecological context for marine systems by analyzing POC in relation to other ocean-color products.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) snapshots of ocean conditions, offering timely data.
• Derived from the NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite sensor, a known operational instrument.
• Based on a specific algorithm (D. Stramski, 2007, 443/555 version) for POC estimation.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The inputs and calibration used for NRT products are described as 'less than optimal'.
• Row count, file formats, and column definitions are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via NASA Earthdata (nasa_earthdata).

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor, processed using ancillary meteorological and ozone data.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); specific last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.