Suomi-NPP VIIRS Level-3 Global Mapped Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) - Near Real-time (N

Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) concentration data derived from ocean-color satellite reflectance. The dataset provides a near real-time snapshot of surface carbon stocks for biogeochemical studies. It is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC using Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite data.

Use Cases

• Quantify surface carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Support biogeochemical and export-flux studies using satellite-derived POC data.
• Provide ecological context by analyzing POC alongside other variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data, offering a snapshot from a single orbit.
• Based on the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite instrument, a known source for ocean color data.
• Uses a specific algorithm (D. Stramski, 2007, 443/555 version) for deriving POC.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• The NRT processing uses less-than-optimal ancillary data and calibration compared to standard science products.
• 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

Derived from ocean-color reflectance measured by the Suomi-NPP VIIRS satellite instrument.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT); version 2022.0.

Geography

Global ocean.