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 Tartary

The nutient-rich Strait of Tartary sits between the Sea of Okhotsk to the north and the Sea of Japan to the south.

Phytoplankton algae blooms off the coast of the island of Sakhalin make the Sea of Okhotsk one of the world's richest biological ecosystems. River drainage, intense intermingling of waters through the Strait of Tartary and wind driven mixing, and the upwelling of deep, nutrient-laden ocean waters make this area highly favorable to marine life. Some of the commercially important fish stocks that are found in the sea include cod, capelin, flounder, herring, pollack, salmon, and smelts.

This image was captured by Aqua/MODIS on September 10, 2022. Read more about this feature.

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.