Global Satellite Data on Ocean Particulate Inorganic Carbon

NOAA-21 VIIRS Level-3 Global Binned Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) Data, version 2025.0, provides global measurements of calcite concentration in ocean surface waters. The dataset is produced by the OB_CLOUD organization using the Balch & Gordon algorithm applied to satellite ocean-color reflectance. It is used to detect coccolithophore blooms and assess carbonate cycling.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms by analyzing the pic (calcite concentration) variable.
• Assess marine carbonate cycling by correlating pic data with other biogeochemical variables like chlor_a and SST.
• Study optical backscatter properties in ocean waters using the derived particulate inorganic carbon estimates.
• Provide biogeochemical context for ocean-color studies by integrating pic with parameters such as Kd_490 and PAR.

Strengths

• Provides a specific geophysical variable (pic) for particulate inorganic carbon concentration.
• Designed for global coverage as a Level-3 binned product from the NOAA-21 VIIRS sensor.

Limitations

• Algorithm uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal and inland waters.
• Data quality can be degraded under conditions of high aerosol loading or sun glint.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD via NASA Earthdata (NOAA-21 VIIRS satellite).

Collection Method

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

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global ocean coverage.