This data suite provides estimates of phytoplankton carbon concentration derived from NASA ocean-color observations and delivered as gridded composites (e.g., daily at ~4 km). Typical uses include quantifying biomass and carbon stocks, assessing ecosystem productivity and change, driving biogeochemical models, and providing biological context alongside chlorophyll, PAR, SST, and other environmental variables. Refer to the file metadata and product documentation for algorithm details, flags, and any mission-specific caveats (especially in optically complex coastal/inland waters).

Geophysical variables in this suite include:
• carbon_phyto — Phytoplankton carbon concentration (mg m⁻³)