SO-PACE Ocean Hyperspectral and Phytoplankton Community Data

Ships of Opportunity for PACE (SO-PACE) collects oceanographic data to validate satellite observations. The dataset includes hyperspectral remote-sensing reflectance (350-750 nm), inherent optical properties, and continuous phytoplankton community measurements from instruments like Imaging FlowCytobot and SeaFlow. It is produced by NASA and involves opportunistic deployments on research vessels.

Use Cases

• Validating satellite-derived chlorophyll-a concentrations using in-situ particulate absorption and HPLC pigment analysis.
• Calibrating models for phytoplankton size distributions using spectral backscattering coefficients and particulate attenuation slope.
• Assessing phytoplankton community composition and abundance via continuous Imaging FlowCytobot (IFCB) and SeaFlow cytometry data.
• Developing bio-optical relationships by linking hyperspectral remote-sensing reflectance (Rrs) with measured inherent optical properties (IOPs).

Strengths

• Includes hyperspectral reflectance measurements across 350-750 nm, providing detailed optical data.
• Combines continuous phytoplankton community assessment (0.6-150 micron size range) with complementary water sample HPLC analysis.
• Produced by NASA, indicating a high standard for calibration and collection methodology.

Limitations

• Key quantitative details like row count, file size, and specific license terms are unavailable across all platforms.
• The dataset's temporal and spatial coverage is not explicitly defined in the provided metadata.

Provenance

Source

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

Collection Method

Opportunistic instrument deployments on research vessels using pySAS systems, flow-through systems, and discrete water sampling.

Time Range

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Freshness

2026-03-12 21:45:30.557065

Geography

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