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Background
Ocean Colour Portal
Historical data
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OCEAN: Ocean Colour European Archive Network

What is this Dataset

The Ocean Colour European Archive Network (OCEAN) Project has performed a complete reappraisal of the ocean colour data from the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) available in Europe. The aim of the Project was to generate a data base of CZCS single and composite images for the European Seas, for the period between 1979 and 1985, and to set up the scientific tools needed for its exploitation.		 OCEAN Images Archive
Frequently Asked Questions
The project in detail


What kind of data are presented

The OCEAN Project has processed about 15,000 CZCS images at level 1 (original top-of-the-atmosphere radiances, archived in standard format), 7.000 images at level 2 (surface reflectances and derived geophysical parameters) and 3.500 images at level 3 (remapped, composited statistical products) of the major European basins. The Project has generated an archive of 180 GB worth of level 1 data products, 160 GB of level 2 data products, and 60 GB of level 3 data product, and has distributed thousands of data products and dedicated software to more than 40 user groups in Europe and beyond, as part of an Application Demonstration Programme. Only the level 3 data products derived for the parameter chlorophyll-like pigment concentration, in mg m-3, are presented here.   

The project

The OCEAN Project, was established in 1990 as a co-operation between the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission (EC), with the support of the Directorate General XI of the EC, and the European Space Agency (ESA). The Project continued its data processing activities for three years, and maintained an Application Demonstration Programme for another two years. It was closed in 1995, with the final publication of the present dataset. Further details of the Project are available in the section devoted to Frequently Asked Questions.

Request for OCEAN data

The present dataset can be accessed and explored using the tools made available together with the imagery. Acknowledgement of source is required, in case OCEAN-derived data products are used for presentations or publications. In line with the general data sharing philosophy of the Unit, binary data taken from the OCEAN dataset can also be made available for individual users, following a specific agreement with the Unit. Please contact Vittorio Barale for further information.
Other links

A web browser for the OCEAN project Level 1 quicklook archive is available on a European Space Agency server.
Copyright © European Communities, 2009
Last Mod: October 2009
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