Terra MODIS Level-3 Global Mapped Particulate Organic Carbon (POC) - Near Real-time (NRT)

Global ocean data provides near real-time snapshots of particulate organic carbon concentration derived from satellite ocean-color reflectance. The dataset is produced by the Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD) using a combination of meteorological and ozone ancillary data. It supports the quantification of surface carbon stocks and biogeochemical studies.

Use Cases

• Quantify surface carbon stocks based on particulate organic carbon concentration.
• Support biogeochemical and export-flux studies using the POC variable alongside chlor_a, bbp, Kd_490, and SST.
• Provide ecological context for marine research by analyzing satellite-derived ocean-color data.

Strengths

• Provides near real-time (NRT) data, offering a snapshot within a single orbit.
• Derived from Terra MODIS satellite imagery, a well-established Earth observation source.
• Includes a specific geophysical variable (poc) based on the D. Stramski, 2007 (443/555 version) algorithm.

Limitations

• Description metadata is limited; actual data quality requires manual inspection after download.
• Column-level documentation is absent; field semantics must be inferred after download.
• The inputs and calibration used are described as 'less than optimal' for the NRT product.

Provenance

Source

NASA Ocean Biology DAAC (OB_CLOUD)

Collection Method

Derived from Terra MODIS satellite ocean-color reflectance using ancillary meteorological and ozone data.

Freshness

Near real-time (NRT), but specific last update date is unknown.

Geography

Global ocean coverage.