Sentinel-3B OLCI Level-4 Global Binned Apparent Visible Wavelength Data

A 2022.0 version dataset from the Sentinel-3B satellite's OLCI instrument providing a global, binned, reduced-resolution measurement of Apparent Visible Wavelength (AVW). The data quantifies the spectral center of ocean color in nanometers, with lower values indicating bluer, clearer waters and higher values indicating greener or browner, more productive or complex waters. It is produced by OB_CLOUD and informed by the U.S. Government's Satellite Needs Working Group (SNWG).

Use Cases

• Classifying water types based on the spectral shape of water-leaving reflectance.
• Guiding algorithm selection or blending for chlorophyll-a retrievals based on AVW values.
• Detecting regional changes in ocean optical properties over time.
• Providing environmental context alongside other ocean-color variables like chlor_a and Kd_490.

Strengths

• Derived from the Sentinel-3B satellite, a major Earth observation mission.
• Provides a specific geophysical variable (AVW) for analyzing ocean color spectrum shape.
• Informed by an interagency U.S. Government working group (SNWG) dedicated to Earth observation needs.

Limitations

• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.
• Interpretations of AVW can vary in optically complex coastal and inland waters, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD via NASA's Earthdata platform.

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Sentinel-3B OLCI instrument, processed to Level-4 binned, reduced-resolution (ERR) product.

Geography

Global