PACE OCI Level-3 Global Binned Ocean Color Inherent Optical Properties (OC_IOP) Data provides per-pixel inherent optical properties derived from satellite remote sensing reflectance. The data, version 3.1, is produced by NASA's OB_CLOUD organization using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework. It includes geophysical variables such as absorption and backscattering coefficients to describe how seawater and its constituents interact with light.
Use Cases
- Water-type classification based on inherent optical properties like absorption and backscattering coefficients.
- Water-clarity assessment using the diffuse attenuation coefficient (Kd).
- Biogeochemical studies leveraging phytoplankton absorption coefficient (aph) and particulate backscattering (bbp_442).
- Forward/adjoint radiative-transfer applications utilizing the full suite of IOPs.
- Cross-sensor comparison of ocean color data using IOPs for more robust analysis than apparent optical properties alone.
Strengths
- Provides a suite of specific geophysical variables, including total absorption (a), phytoplankton absorption (aph), and particulate backscattering (bbp_442).
- Includes uncertainty estimates for key variables, such as aph_unc_442 and bbp_unc_442.
- Derived using a standardized model framework (GIOP), which likely supports consistency.
- Designed to enable more robust cross-sensor comparisons than apparent optical property products.
Limitations
- Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
Provenance
- Source
- NASA OB_CLOUD
- Collection Method
- Retrieved from spectral Remote Sensing Reflectance (Rrs) using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework.
- Geography
- Global