NOAA-21 VIIRS PIC: Global Mapped Particulate Inorganic Carbon from Satellite

NOAA-21 VIIRS Level-3 Global Mapped Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) - Near Real-time (NRT) Data is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC. It provides a near real-time snapshot of calcite concentration, typically from coccolithophores, derived from ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm. The data is used to detect coccolithophore blooms and assess carbonate cycling alongside other oceanographic variables.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms based on particulate inorganic carbon concentration.
• Assess carbonate cycling and optical backscatter in the ocean based on the PIC geophysical variable.
• Provide biogeochemical context for oceanographic studies based on its relationship with chlor_a, Kd_490, PAR, and SST mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data products for timely analysis.
• Derived from satellite ocean-color reflectance using a specific algorithm (Balch & Gordon).
• Includes a defined geophysical variable (pic - Particulate Inorganic Carbon concentration).

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal/inland waters or under high aerosol/glint as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via nasa_earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data from the NOAA-21 VIIRS instrument, processed using the Balch & Gordon algorithm.

Freshness

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

Geography

Global ocean coverage.