Global Ocean Particulate Inorganic Carbon from Satellite

Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) data derived from NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm. The dataset provides a global mapped product for detecting coccolithophore blooms and assessing carbonate cycling. Data is produced by OB_CLOUD and corresponds to version 2022.0.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms by analyzing the global 'pic' concentration field.
• Assess marine carbonate cycling by integrating the 'pic' variable with other biogeochemical data like chlor_a and SST.
• Study optical backscatter properties in ocean waters using the satellite-derived calcite concentration.
• Provide biogeochemical context for ocean models by combining the Level-3 mapped 'pic' data with variables like PAR and Kd_490.

Strengths

• Global spatial coverage from satellite observations.
• Algorithm-specific product focused on calcite concentration from coccolithophores.

Limitations

• Uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal or inland waters.
• Data quality can be affected by high aerosol levels or sun glint.
• Specific row count, temporal range, and resolution details are unknown.

Provenance

Source

NOAA-20 VIIRS satellite via NASA Earthdata (OB_CLOUD).

Collection Method

Derived from ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm.

Time Range

null

Freshness

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Geography

Global ocean coverage.