Suomi-NPP VIIRS: Global Ocean Color Apparent Visible Wavelength

Suomi-NPP VIIRS Level-4 Global Mapped Apparent Visible Wavelength (AVW) Data quantifies the spectral center of ocean color across the visible range. Reported in nanometers, AVW is lower for bluer, clearer waters and higher for greener, more productive waters influenced by phytoplankton, CDOM, or sediments. Users apply AVW for water-type classification, algorithm selection, and regional change detection.

Use Cases

• Classifying water types based on the spectral shape of water-leaving reflectance.
• Guiding chlorophyll retrieval algorithm selection or blending based on apparent visible wavelength.
• Detecting regional changes in ocean optical properties over time.
• Providing context alongside other ocean-color products like chlor_a, Kd_490, IOPs, and PAR.

Strengths

• Provides a specific geophysical variable (avw) quantifying the spectral center of ocean color.
• Describes a clear application for algorithm selection and water-type classification.
• Product is versioned (2022.0), suggesting a structured release process.

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.
• Interpretations can vary in optically complex coastal and inland waters, as noted in the description.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD

Collection Method

Satellite remote sensing from the Suomi-NPP VIIRS instrument.

Geography

Global