Global SeaWiFS Inherent Optical Properties For Ocean Color Analysis

OrbView-2 SeaWiFS Level-3 Global Binned Inherent Optical Properties (IOP) Data, version 2022.0, provides per-pixel inherent optical properties derived from satellite remote sensing reflectance. The dataset includes geophysical variables like total absorption and backscattering coefficients, supporting water-type classification and biogeochemical studies. It is produced by OB_CLOUD and was last updated in December 2010.

Use Cases

• Modeling light attenuation in seawater using the total absorption coefficient (a) and total backscattering coefficient (bb).
• Estimating phytoplankton biomass and community structure by analyzing the phytoplankton absorption coefficient at 443 nm (aph_443).
• Assessing water clarity and dissolved organic matter by examining the combined CDOM and detritus absorption coefficient (adg_443) and its spectral slope (adg_s).
• Studying particulate matter in the water column through the particulate backscattering coefficient at 443 nm (bbp_443) and its spectral slope (bbp_s).
• Evaluating retrieval uncertainty for biogeochemical models using uncertainty fields like aph_unc_443, adg_unc_443, and bbp_unc_443.

Strengths

• Derived using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework, a standard method for ocean color data processing.
• Provides inherent optical properties, enabling more robust cross-sensor comparisons than apparent optical property products.
• Includes uncertainty estimates for key variables like aph_unc_443 and bbp_unc_443, supporting error analysis.

Limitations

• The dataset's last update was in 2010, making it temporally stale for contemporary oceanographic studies.
• Specific data volume metrics such as row count, spatial resolution, and file size are unknown.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD, utilizing data from the OrbView-2 SeaWiFS satellite mission.

Collection Method

Inherent optical properties are retrieved from spectral Remote Sensing Reflectance (Rrs) using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework.

Freshness

Last updated on 2010-12-11.

Geography

Global