Global Mapped Particulate Inorganic Carbon from MODIS Satellite, 2022 Version

Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) data derived from Terra MODIS satellite ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm. The dataset, version 2022.0, is produced by OB_CLOUD and hosted on NASA Earthdata. It provides a global mapped product of calcite concentration, typically from coccolithophores.

Use Cases

• Detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms based on particulate inorganic carbon (PIC) concentration.
• Assess marine carbonate cycling based on calcite concentration data.
• Analyze optical backscatter in ocean waters based on the PIC retrieval.
• Provide biogeochemical context alongside other ocean variables like chlorophyll-a and sea surface temperature.

Strengths

• Algorithm-based product using the established Balch & Gordon method.
• Designed for global-scale analysis of marine biogeochemistry.
• Intended for integration with related ocean-color variables like chlor_a and SST.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal or inland waters, as noted in the description.
• Row count, file formats, and column-level documentation are absent.

Provenance

Source

OB_CLOUD via NASA Earthdata (nasa_earthdata).

Collection Method

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

Time Range

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Freshness

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Geography

Global ocean coverage.