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Full catalog/MODIST_L3m_PIC
MODIST_L3m_PIC·v2022.0·dataset

Chalky carbon particles in the ocean (Terra)

Terra 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. The concentration of tiny chalky calcite particles in the ocean, mostly from plankton called coccolithophores, given as the standard processed product.

How it's made. Calculated from ocean-color light measured by the MODIS instrument on the Terra satellite using a published algorithm.

How & where you'd use it. Helps spot and measure coccolithophore blooms and study ocean carbon and carbonate cycling; readings are less trustworthy in murky coastal waters or under heavy haze or glint.

What's measured

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

Coverage & cadence

  • Time span2000-02-24 → ongoing
  • Measured byTerra (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

modist_l3m_pic_access.py
import earthaccess
earthaccess.login(strategy="netrc")          # free Earthdata Login

results = earthaccess.search_data(
    short_name="MODIST_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.