Global Ocean Colour: Bio-Geo-Chemical, L4, from Satellite Observations, Transparency, OLCI, 4KM

  • The Global Ocean Colour dataset is a Bio-Geo-Chemical (BGC) product providing various oceanographic variables, including ocean transparency.

  • The primary layer of this dataset is the Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient at 490nm (KD490), which indicates water clarity.

  • Higher KD490 values signify lower transparency due to absorption of blue-green light by elements like phytoplankton or sediments.

  • This L4 dataset is derived from the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI) and is useful for monitoring marine bio-geochemical processes and water quality.

  • The dataset is available from 2023-04-01 to 2025-09-01 and is provided by Copernicus with a monthly cadence.
COPERNICUS/MARINE/OC_GLO_BGC/TRANSPARENCY_OLCI_4KM
Dataset Availability
2023-04-01T00:00:00Z–2025-10-01T00:00:00Z
Dataset Provider
Earth Engine Snippet
ee.ImageCollection("COPERNICUS/MARINE/OC_GLO_BGC/TRANSPARENCY_OLCI_4KM")
Cadence
1 Month
Tags
copernicus marine oceans

Description

The Global Ocean Colour (Copernicus-GlobColour) dataset is a Bio-Geo-Chemical (BGC) product developed by ACRI-ST. Derived from multiple satellite sources like SeaWiFS, MODIS, and OLCI. It provides a comprehensive range of oceanographic variables, including: Chlorophyll (CHL), Phytoplankton Functional types and sizes (PFT), Primary Production (PP), Suspended Matter (SPM), Secchi Transparency Depth (ZSD), Diffuse Attenuation (KD490), Particulate Backscattering (BBP), Absorption Coefficient (CDM), Reflectance (RRS) and more.

This dataset provides global-scale data on ocean transparency. Its primary layer is the Diffuse Attenuation Coefficient at 490nm (KD490)), a key indicator of water clarity. Higher KD490values signify lower transparency due to the rapid absorption of blue-green light by constituents like phytoplankton or sediments. This L4 dataset, derived from the Ocean and Land Colour Instrument (OLCI), is a valuable resource for monitoring marine bio-geochemical processes and assessing water quality.

Documentation:

Bands

Pixel Size
4000 meters

Bands

Name Units Pixel Size Description
KD490 1/m meters

Diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm
KD490_uncertainty % meters

Diffuse attenuation coefficient at 490 nm - The uncertainty as measured in hundredths of a percent (e.g., a value of 5000 means 50%).
flags meters

Land water mask bit.

  • 0: Water
  • 1: Land

Terms of Use

Terms of Use

This dataset is released for use under Service Level Agreement (SLA), using the acronym "CMEMS" or the shortened name "Copernicus Marine Service" both denote the E.U. Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring Service. Highlights and key features of the licence are provided in this document License

Citations

Citations:

  • Copernicus Global Ocean Colour: Global Ocean Satellite Observations, ACRI-ST company (Sophia Antipolis, France) is providing Bio-Geo-Chemical (BGC) products based on the Copernicus-GlobColour processor. doi:10.48670/moi-00279

Explore with Earth Engine

Code Editor (JavaScript)

var dataset =
    ee.ImageCollection('COPERNICUS/MARINE/OC_GLO_BGC/TRANSPARENCY_OLCI_4KM')
        .filter(ee.Filter.date('2025-03-01', '2025-06-01'));

var KD490 = dataset.select('KD490');
var vis = {
  min: 0.021,
  max: 0.212,
  palette:
      ['D7F9D0', '91CA85', '5AB05D', '129450', '0F7347', '195437', '122414'],
};
Map.setCenter(71, 52, 2);
Map.addLayer(KD490, vis, 'KD490');
Open in Code Editor
The Global Ocean Colour (Copernicus-GlobColour) dataset is a Bio-Geo-Chemical (BGC) product developed by ACRI-ST. Derived from multiple satellite sources like SeaWiFS, MODIS, and OLCI. It provides a comprehensive range of oceanographic variables, including: Chlorophyll (CHL), Phytoplankton Functional types and sizes (PFT), Primary Production (PP), Suspended Matter (SPM), Secchi Transparency Depth …
COPERNICUS/MARINE/OC_GLO_BGC/TRANSPARENCY_OLCI_4KM, copernicus,marine,oceans
2023-04-01T00:00:00Z/2025-10-01T00:00:00Z
-90 -180 90 180
Google Earth Engine