Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Mapped Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) Concentration

Global satellite-derived ocean surface data for particulate organic carbon concentration. The dataset is produced by OB_CLOUD from NASA Earthdata and uses the Suomi-NPP VIIRS sensor. It supports studies of carbon stocks and biogeochemistry alongside related variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.

Use Cases

• Quantify surface ocean carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Support biogeochemical and export-flux studies using the POC variable.
• Provide ecological context by analyzing POC alongside chlor_a, bbp, Kd_490, and SST as mentioned in the description.

Strengths

• Derived from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite sensor, a known operational source.
• Includes a specific POC algorithm (D. Stramski, 2007/Stramski et al. 2022 for PACE).
• Designed for integration with other key oceanographic variables like chlor_a and SST.

Limitations

• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• Row count and file size are unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
• Last update date is unknown; freshness unverified.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD via NASA Earthdata (nasa_earthdata).

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing data processed to Level-3 global mapped products.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.