NOAA-20 VIIRS: Global Mapped Inherent Optical Properties (IOP) Near Real-time Data

NOAA-20 VIIRS Level-3 Global Mapped Inherent Optical Properties (IOP) - Near Real-time (NRT) Data, version 2022.0, is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC. The dataset provides per-pixel inherent optical properties, including total absorption and backscattering coefficients, derived from satellite remote sensing reflectance using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model. It offers a snapshot of ocean optical conditions within a single orbit using near real-time processing.

Use Cases

• Water-type classification based on per-pixel inherent optical properties like absorption and backscattering coefficients.
• Water-clarity assessment using the total absorption and backscattering coefficients.
• Biogeochemical studies leveraging phytoplankton and CDOM/detritus absorption coefficients.
• Forward/adjoint radiative-transfer applications based on the retrieved inherent optical properties.
• Cross-sensor comparisons enabled by the inherent optical properties framework.

Strengths

• Provides specific geophysical variables including total absorption coefficient (a) and total backscattering coefficient (bb).
• Includes uncertainty estimates for key variables like aph_unc_445 and bbp_unc_445.
• Derived using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework.
• Supports near real-time (NRT) data delivery for timely analysis.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count, file formats, and specific spatial/temporal coverage are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

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

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the NOAA-20 VIIRS sensor, processed using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); version 2022.0.

Geography

Global.