A compilation of global bio-optical in situ data for ocean-colour satellite applications – version three
Authors: Valente André , Sathyendranath Shubha , Brotas Vanda , Groom Steve , Grant Michael , Jackson Thomas , Chuprin Andrei , Taberner Malcolm , Airs Ruth , Antoine David , Arnone Robert , Balch William M. , Barker Kathryn , Barlow Ray , Bélanger Simon , Berthon Jean-François , Beşiktepe Şükrü , Borsheim Yngve , Bracher Astrid , Brando Vittorio , Brewin Robert J. W. , Canuti Elisabetta , Chavez Francisco P. , Cianca Andrés , Claustre Hervé , Clementson Lesley , Crout Richard , Ferreira Afonso , Freeman Scott , Frouin Robert , García-Soto Carlos , Gibb Stuart W. , Goericke Ralf , Gould Richard , Guillocheau Nathalie , Hooker Stanford B. , Hu Chuamin , Kahru Mati , Kampel Milton , Klein Holger , Kratzer Susanne , Kudela Raphael , Ledesma Jesus , Lohrenz Steven , Loisel Hubert , Mannino Antonio , Martinez-Vicente Victor , Matrai Patricia , McKee David , Mitchell Brian G. , Moisan Tiffany , Montes Enrique , Muller-Karger Frank , Neeley Aimee , Novak Michael , O'Dowd Leonie , Ondrusek Michael , Platt Trevor , Poulton Alex J. , Repecaud Michel , Röttgers Rüdiger , Schroeder Thomas , Smyth Timothy , Smythe-Wright Denise , Sosik Heidi M. , Thomas Crystal , Thomas Rob , Tilstone Gavin , Tracana Andreia , Twardowski Michael , Vellucci Vincenzo , Voss Kenneth , Werdell Jeremy , Wernand Marcel , Wojtasiewicz Bozena , Wright Simon , Zibordi Giuseppe 
Published: May 2022

Abstract. A global in-situ data set for validation of ocean-colour products from the ESA Ocean Colour Climate Change Initiative (OC-CCI) is presented. This version of the compilation, starting in 1997, now extends to 2021, which is important for the validation of the most recent satellite optical sensors such as Sentinel 3B OLCI and NOAA-20 VIIRS. The data set comprises in-situ observations of the following variables: spectral remote-sensing reflectance, concentration of chlorophyll-a, spectral inherent optical properties, spectral diffuse attenuation coefficient and total suspended matter. Data were obtained from multi-project archives acquired via open internet services, or from individual projects, acquired directly from data providers. Methodologies were implemented for homogenisation, quality control and merging of all data. Minimal changes were made on the original data, other than conversion to a standard format, elimination of some points after quality control and averaging of observations that were close in time and space. The result is a merged table available in text format. Overall, the size of the data set grew with 151,673 rows, with each row representing a unique station in space and time (cf 136,250 rows in previous version; Valente et al., 2019). Observations of remote-sensing reflectance increased to 68,641 (cf 59,781 in previous version; Valente et al., 2019). There was also a near tenfold increase in chlorophyll data since 2016. Metadata of each in situ measurement (original source, cruise or experiment, principal investigator) are included in the final table. By making the metadata available, provenance is better documented, and it is also possible to analyse each set of data separately. The compiled data are available at https://doi.pangaea.de/10.1594/PANGAEA.941318 (Valente et al., 2022).