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

Agulhas Retroflection

Click to see a larger version of the image. — South of Africa where the Atlantic Ocean meets the Indian Ocean, the southwestward flowing Agulhas Current meets the eastward flowing Antarctic Circumpolar Current and is retroflected back toward the east generating much turbulence in the process. This is made visible in the above image by phytoplankton carried along and growing at boundaries between different water masses.

The above image was collected by Suomi-NPP/VIIRS on October 2, 2020. Click on it to get a larger version that includes the southern end of the African continent.

Visit the 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.