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Ocean Color

Spaceborne Ocean Color Instruments

Spaceborne instruments, designed to make precise measurements of ocean color, are the best method available to estimate ocean productivity on the global scale. In 1978, the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) provided the first remote-sensing data from Earth orbit concerning worldwide phytoplankton distributions and patterns of surface productivity, yet the CZCS was only an experimental mission that operated on a limited schedule. After the failure of the CZCS in 1986, there were no other sources of ocean color data from spaceborne sensors until 1996, when several new ocean color instruments were placed into orbit. Even more orbiting ocean color sensors are planned, and these instruments may finally provide the data necessary to accurately quantify the global distribution and seasonal variability of life in the oceans.

Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS)


CZCS thumbnailCZCS was an experimental ocean color instrument launched aboard NASA's NIMBUS-7 satellite. It shared satellite resources and power with many other sensors, and therefore collected data only sporadically. Additionally, fewer scenes were collected as the instrument aged. The data are used to study the regional and seasonal variation in primary productivity, environmental change, oceanic features, and even outbreaks of infectious disease.
Data and more information are available from the Goddard DAAC's ocean color web site: Ocean Color Data and Resources.

Modular Optoelectronic Scanner (MOS)
MOS thumbnailMOS is a sensor developed by the German Aerospace Research Establishment (DLR) Institute for Space Sensor Technology. The specific goals of MOS include improved (compared to CZCS) corrections for atmospheric, sea surface, and turbidity effects. MOS data will also be correlated with SeaWiFS data.
Two MOS instruments have been launched, one aboard the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite (IRS) P3, and the other in the Russian Priroda module, a component of the Mir space station. The IRS MOS has an extra channel, used to enhance determination of surface roughness. Data collection is limited to ground stations, and therefore does not provide global coverage.
More information is available from: http://www.ioccg.org/reports/mos/mos.html.

Ocean Color and Temperature Scanner (OCTS)
OCTS thumbnailOCTS was an instrument aboard Japan's Advanced Earth Observing Satellite (ADEOS). It collected chlorophyll and sea-surface temperature data. High resolution and low resolution data were transmitted separately. Global coverage was achieved by OCTS every 3 days, which provided information on rapidly changing phenomena. ADEOS was lost on June 30, 1997. Data available through Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA.)

Sea-viewing Wide Field-of-view Sensor (SeaWiFS)
OCTS thumbnailSeaWiFS is an ongoing ocean color mission operated by Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) for NASA. SeaWiFS data is being used to help clarify the magnitude and variability of chlorophyll and primary production by marine phytoplankton. In particular, the data will help determine the distribution and timing of 'spring blooms' - the rapid increase in phytoplankton populations stimulated by increasing light availability and higher nutrient concentrations characteristic of the spring season.
More information is available from the SeaWiFS Project homepage. Data is being distributed by the Goddard DAAC.

Ocean Color Imager (OCI)
The OCI will be launched by Taiwan aboard the first Republic of China Satellite (ROCSAT-1). Its orbit will only be inclined 35°, limiting coverage to the tropics. Data will be available from the OCI Science Data Distribution Center.

Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS)
MODIS is an instrument that will orbit aboard the Earth Observing System (EOS) AM and PM series of satellites, resulting in 15 years of continuous ocean color data. It will also sense sea-surface temperature. Hardware and algorithm improvements will result in data that are more accurate than either CZCS or SeaWiFS. Data will be distributed by EOSDIS.

Global Imager (GLI)
The GLI is a successor to the OCTS aboard Japan's ADEOS. It will be flown on ADEOS II.
More information can be found on NASDA's Global Imager page.

Medium Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (MERIS)
MERIS will be launched on ESA's ENVISAT-1.

Low Resolution Camera
The Low Resolution Camera will be aboard the Korea Multi-Purpose Satellite (KOMPSAT). It will have six bands programmable from the ground, and will be able to conduct studies of both ocean and land.

  Comparison of Ocean Color Instruments
Instrument Satellite Dates of Operation Spatial Resolution Swath Width
CZCS Nimbus-7 10/24/78-
6/22/86
825 m 1556 km
MOS IRS P3 3/18/96- 520 m 200 km
MOS Priroda 4/23/96- 650 m 85 km
OCTS ADEOS 8/17/96- 700 m 1400 km
SeaWiFS SeaStar scheduled 5/97 1100 m 2800 km
OCI ROCSAT-1 scheduled 4/98 800 m 690 km
MODIS EOS AM-1 scheduled 6/98 1000 m 2330 km
GLI ADEOS-2 scheduled 2/99 1000 m 1600 km
MERIS ENVISAT-1 scheduled 7/99 1200 m 1450 km
Low Resolution Camera KOMPSAT scheduled 1999 1000 m 800 km
Comparison of Wavelength & Bandwidth
for Spaceborne Ocean Color Instruments

ocean color instrument wavelengths



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  • Last updated: March 21, 2008 20:37:02 GMT