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

NASA's Ocean Biology DAAC produces near real-time (NRT) Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) data from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite. The data provides a snapshot of calcite concentration, typically from coccolithophores, using the Balch & Gordon algorithm on ocean-color reflectance. It is intended for detecting blooms and assessing carbonate cycling alongside other ocean variables.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms based on particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration.
• Assess marine carbonate cycling and optical backscatter based on calcite concentration data.
• Provide biogeochemical context for ocean studies by integrating PIC with chlorophyll-a, sea surface temperature, and other variables mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Data is produced in near real-time (NRT), providing a timely snapshot of ocean conditions.
• Algorithm is specified as the Balch & Gordon method for deriving PIC from ocean-color reflectance.
• Data suite is designed for integration with other key ocean variables like chlor_a, Kd_490, PAR, and SST.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The NRT processing uses less-than-optimal ancillary data and calibration, as stated in the description.
• Uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal/inland waters or under high aerosol/glint conditions.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) from Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite.

Collection Method

Derived from ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.