PACE OCI AVW: Global Near Real-Time Ocean Color Data

NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC provides near real-time satellite data quantifying the apparent visible wavelength of ocean water. The single geophysical variable, avw in nanometers, summarizes the spectral shape of water-leaving reflectance to indicate water type. This version 3.1 product offers a snapshot from a single orbit using the best-available ancillary data at the time of processing.

Use Cases

• Classifying water types based on the apparent visible wavelength (avw) metric.
• Guiding algorithm selection for chlorophyll-a retrievals using avw as context.
• Detecting regional changes in ocean optical properties over time.
• Providing spectral context alongside other ocean-color products like chlor_a and Kd_490.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing a rapid snapshot of ocean conditions.
• The description specifies a single, clearly defined geophysical variable: avw (Apparent Visible Wavelength) in nanometers.
• Data is sourced from NASA's PACE OCI satellite mission and processed by the Ocean Biology DAAC.

Limitations

• The description notes near real-time products use less-than-optimal inputs and calibration compared to final science products.
• Row count, column details, and file formats are unknown, limiting suitability assessment.
• Interpretations of the avw metric can vary in optically complex coastal and inland waters.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD), from the PACE OCI instrument.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing, with data binned globally.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT)

Geography

Global