Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Particulate Organic Carbon Concentration Near Real-time Data

Near real-time satellite-derived measurements of particulate organic carbon concentration in the global ocean. The data is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC using Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument inputs and provides a snapshot within a single orbit. It supports the quantification of surface carbon stocks and biogeochemical studies.

Use Cases

• Quantify surface carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Support biogeochemical and export-flux studies using ocean-color reflectance data.
• Provide ecological context alongside other variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time, providing timely snapshots of ocean conditions.
• Derived from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite instrument, a recognized source for Earth observation.
• Geophysical variable (poc) is based on a published algorithm (D. Stramski, 2007).

Limitations

• Near real-time processing uses less-than-optimal ancillary and calibration data compared to final science products.
• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.

Provenance

Source

Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) via NASA Earthdata

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument.

Freshness

Near real-time

Geography

Global ocean