OrbView-2 SeaWiFS satellite data processed with the Garver-Siegel-Maritorena model provides global maps of key ocean optical properties. The dataset includes derived geophysical variables such as absorption by gelbstoff and detrital material, particulate backscattering, and chlorophyll-a concentration. This Level-4 mapped product was generated by OB_CLOUD and last updated in December 2010.
Use Cases
- Modeling phytoplankton biomass by analyzing the chl_gsm (chlorophyll-a concentration) field across global oceans.
- Studying dissolved organic matter dynamics using the adg_443_gsm (absorption by gelbstoff and detrital material) variable.
- Investigating particle scattering properties in seawater via the bbp_443_gsm (particulate backscattering) data.
- Comparing the GSM model's multi-property retrieval against band-ratio chlorophyll algorithms for algorithm validation.
- Assessing spatial and temporal patterns in marine optics by combining the suite's three core geophysical variables.
Strengths
- Derived from the SeaWiFS sensor, a dedicated ocean color instrument providing high-quality reflectance spectra.
- Provides three core, physically-derived ocean optical properties (adg_443_gsm, bbp_443_gsm, chl_gsm) simultaneously from a single model inversion.
- Offers a global mapped (Level-4) product, facilitating large-scale spatial analysis.
Limitations
- Data recency is a limitation, with the last update recorded in 2010, limiting contemporary analysis.
- Specific metrics on spatial resolution, temporal coverage, and data volume (rows, size) are unavailable for assessment.
- Relies on a single semi-analytical model (GSM), which may introduce systematic biases compared to other retrieval approaches.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA Earthdata (nasa_earthdata), from the OrbView-2 SeaWiFS mission.
- Collection Method
- Ocean-color fields derived by inverting satellite-measured water-leaving reflectance with the Garver-Siegel-Maritorena (GSM) semi-analytical model.
- Time Range
- null
- Freshness
- Last updated on 2010-12-11; update frequency is null.
- Geography
- Global