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Full catalog/MODISA_L3m_PIC
MODISA_L3m_PIC·v2022.0·dataset

Chalky particles in the ocean (Aqua MODIS)

Aqua MODIS Level-3 Global Mapped Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) Data, version 2022.0
ocean NASA OB_CLOUD Level 3 active netCDF-4
In plain English

What it measures. Maps the amount of chalky, calcium-carbonate particles floating in surface ocean water, typically produced by tiny algae called coccolithophores.

How it's made. Calculated from Aqua MODIS ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon method, then gridded into a global Level-3 map.

How & where you'd use it. Used to detect and measure coccolithophore blooms and to study the ocean's carbon and carbonate cycle; reliability drops in murky coastal waters or heavy haze.

What's measured

Oceans › Ocean Chemistry › Inorganic CarbonOCEANS › OCEAN CHEMISTRY › CARBONOCEANS › OCEAN OPTICS

Coverage & cadence

  • Time span2002-07-04 → ongoing
  • Measured byAqua (MODIS)
  • Processing levelLevel 3
  • Spatial extent-180, -90, 180, 90
  • FormatsnetCDF-4
  • StatusACTIVE

What you can do with it

  • Watch sea-surface temperature and marine heatwaves
  • Spot algal blooms and ocean-colour shifts
  • Support fisheries and coastal monitoring
Official description

The Particulate Inorganic Carbon (PIC) data suite includes product of particulate inorganic carbon (calcite, typically from coccolithophores) from ocean-color reflectance using the Balch & Gordon algorithm. PIC is used to detect and quantify coccolithophore blooms, assess carbonate cycling and optical backscatter, and provide biogeochemical context alongside chlor_a, Kd_490, PAR, and SST. As with all ocean-color retrievals, uncertainties increase in optically complex coastal/inland waters or under high aerosol/glint; users should refer to per-mission algorithm notes and quality flags before analysis. Geophysical variables in this suite include: - pic — Particulate Inorganic Carbon (Calcite concentration, Balch and Gordon) (mol m⁻³)

Get the data

modisa_l3m_pic_access.py
import earthaccess
earthaccess.login(strategy="netrc")          # free Earthdata Login

results = earthaccess.search_data(
    short_name="MODISA_L3m_PIC",
    version="2022.0",
    bounding_box=(-122.5, 37.2, -121.8, 37.9),  # your area (W,S,E,N)
    temporal=("2024-01-01", "2024-12-31"),       # your dates
)
files = earthaccess.open(results)   # stream straight from OB_CLOUD
Browsing CMR needs no login. Downloading or streaming bytes needs a free Earthdata Login + the earthaccess package.