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Radiation from the ocean surface of light in the visible wavelengths gives information about the color of the ocean. This "ocean color" (radiances) can be used to estimate chlorophyll concentration (the pigment in plants and phytoplankton responsible for photosynthesis and the dominant source of color in the open ocean) or the coefficients of light attenuation through the water column and other parameters (generally related to biological processes). In coastal areas, other biological compounds and minerals add complexity to interpretation. Clouds will block remotely sensed OC.
The following list shows the various Ocean Color near real time and science quality data products available from NOAA CoastWatch
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VIIRS Ocean Color Level 2 (EDR) is produced through NOAA Multi-Sensor Level 1 to Level 2 processing system (MSL12) from IDPS satellite data record (SDR, Level 1b). Level 3 mapped and binned products are also available. Near real time data are available from Suomi NPP and from NOAA-20 platforms. |
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VIIRS Science Quality Ocean Color Level 2 (EDR) is produced by NOAA/STAR Ocean Color Team through NOAA Multi-Sensor Level 1 to Level 2 processing system (MSL12) using an improved calibration for the satellite data record (OC-SDR, which is Level 1b). CoastWatch Level-3 composites, binned and mapped data products also available. |
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OLCI Sentinel-3A and 3B Ocean Color (visible remote sensing reflectances and derived parameters such as chlorophyll-a concentration). |
