Sentinel-3B OLCI Level-3 Global Mapped Inherent Optical Properties, Near Real-time

Near real-time global ocean data from the Sentinel-3B satellite provides per-pixel inherent optical properties. The Ocean Biology DAAC produces these products using a best-available combination of ancillary meteorological and ozone data. These properties describe how seawater absorbs and scatters light, supporting water-type classification and biogeochemical studies.

Use Cases

• Water-type classification based on inherent optical properties like total absorption and backscattering coefficients.
• Water-clarity assessment based on retrieved particulate backscattering and absorption coefficients.
• Biogeochemical studies based on phytoplankton and CDOM/detritus absorption coefficients.
• Forward/adjoint radiative-transfer applications based on per-pixel inherent optical properties.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time data, offering a snapshot within a single orbit.
• Supports more robust cross-sensor comparisons than purely apparent optical property products.
• Includes uncertainty estimates for key geophysical variables like aph_unc_443 and bbp_unc_443.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count and column details are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Data may reflect temporal and spatial bias inherent to satellite coverage from nasa_earthdata.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via NASA Earthdata

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from Sentinel-3B OLCI instrument, processed using the Generalized Inherent Optical Properties (GIOP) model framework.

Freshness

Near real-time

Geography

Global