Sentinel-3A OLCI: Global Binned Chlorophyll Data Near Real-time

The Ocean Biology DAAC produces near real-time (quicklook) products using the best-available combination of ancillary data from meteorological and ozone data. This Sentinel-3A OLCI Level-3B dataset provides global binned reduced resolution chlorophyll (CHL) measurements. As such, the inputs and the calibration used are less than optimal, providing a snapshot of the data during a short time period within a single orbit.

Use Cases

• Monitor near real-time phytoplankton blooms based on chlorophyll concentration data.
• Analyze short-term ocean color dynamics based on single-orbit snapshots.
• Assimilate satellite-derived chlorophyll data into oceanographic models based on the binned global coverage.
• Study the relationship between atmospheric conditions and ocean biology based on the use of meteorological and ozone ancillary data.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing timely snapshots.
• Global binned coverage from the Sentinel-3A satellite.
• Processed by NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC, an authoritative source for ocean color data.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The inputs and calibration used are described as 'less than optimal' for these quicklook products.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Ocean Biology DAAC

Collection Method

Satellite observations from the Sentinel-3A OLCI instrument, processed into Level-3B binned products.

Time Range

Near real-time (single-orbit snapshots).

Freshness

Last updated 2026-03-13 20:30:50.133973; freshness should be verified.

Geography

Global