NASA's OceanColor Web is supported by the Ocean Biology Processing Group (OBPG) at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Our responsibilities include the collection, processing, calibration, validation, archive and distribution of ocean-related products from a large number of operational, satellite-based remote-sensing missions providing ocean color, sea surface temperature and sea surface salinity data to the international research community since 1996.

Ocean Color Feature

Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman. Weather systems and strong winds in the Persian Gulf influence water circulation and mixing, which can cause blooms while phytoplankton productivity in the Gulf of Oman is heavily influenced by the coming and going of the monsoon and related upwelling. Although the Strait of Hormuz sits at the boundary of these two systems, past research showed phytoplankton species in the strait are more similar to those in the Gulf of Oman. Read more...

See more scenes captured by SeaHawk/HawkEye instrument in the HawkEye Image Gallery. (Image Credit: Alan Holmes, the Hawkeye Instrument Engineer.)

Visit the Ocean Color Image Gallery Archive for additional ocean color features.

Ocean Biology Distributed Active Archive Center (OB.DAAC)

The OBPG serves as a DAAC for satellite ocean biology data produced or collected under NASA EOSDIS, including those from historical missions and partner space organizations. OB.DAAC is a member of the ICSU World Data System.

SeaDAS

SeaDAS is an image analysis package for the processing and display of satellite ocean color data.

SeaBASS

SeaBASS is a repository of in situ oceanographic data to support algorithm development and satellite data product validation activities.

Field Support Group

The OBPG maintains a Field Support Group that collects in situ data, engages in community measurement protocols activities, and hosts an HPLC phytoplankton pigment processing facility.