PACE OCI: Global Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) Near Real-time Satellite Data

Near real-time (NRT) global satellite data of Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentration in the ocean surface, produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC. The data is used to quantify surface carbon stocks and support biogeochemical studies. Inputs and calibration for this NRT product are described as less than optimal, providing a snapshot from a short time period within a single satellite orbit.

Use Cases

• Quantifying surface ocean carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Supporting biogeochemical and carbon export-flux studies using POC data alongside other variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.
• Providing ecological context for marine studies by analyzing POC in relation to satellite-derived parameters like bbp and Kd_490.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) snapshots of ocean carbon data, enabling timely analysis.
• Based on the POC algorithm from Stramski et al. 2022, indicating a defined scientific methodology.
• Integrates ancillary data from meteorological and ozone sources for processing.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count, column definitions, and file formats are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• The NRT processing uses less-than-optimal inputs and calibration, as stated in the description.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB.DAAC), organization OB_CLOUD.

Collection Method

Derived from ocean-color reflectance measured by the PACE OCI satellite instrument.

Freshness

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

Geography

Global