Instantaneous Photosynthetically Available Radiation (iPAR)

Table of Contents

  1. Product Summary
  2. Algorithm Description
  3. Implementation
  4. Assessment
  5. References
  6. Data Access

1 - Product Summary

This algorithm returns instantaneous photosynthetically active radiation (iPAR) in Einstein m-2 s-1.  The iPAR product represents the total PAR incident on the ocean surface at the time of the satellite observation (the PAR product, in contrast, provides a daily average).  This is a companion product to the normalized fluorescence line height algorithm, the combination of which can be used to estimate fluroescence quantum yield (Behrenfeld et al. 2009).

MODIS only.

MODIS Aqua iPAR seasonal composite for Spring 2014

Algorithm Point of Contact: Bryan Franz, NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

2 - Algorithm Description

Inputs:
  • Spectral extraterrestrial irradiance, F0
  • atmospheric transmittance
Output:
  • ipar, instantaneous photosynthetically available radiance in Einsten m-2 s-1
Generic Algorithm:

iPAR is defined as:

$ iPAR = \frac{\mathrm{1} }{\mathrm{hc}} \intop\nolimits_{400}^{700} \lambda E_d(\lambda , 0-)d\lambda $

...where h is Planck's constant, c is the speed of light, and Ed ($ \lambda $,0-) is spectral downwelling irradiance just below the sea surface.  Ed ($ \lambda $,0-) is derived by attenuating extraterrestrial solar irradiance at each sensor wavelength through the atmosphere using the derived atmospheric correction model.  The iPAR product is reported just above the ocean surface and does not account for transmission losses through the interface.

3 - Implementation

Click ipar.c to view source code.

Calling in L2GEN:
  • l2prod = ipar

4 - Assessment

Satellite-to-in situ validation results are available from the SeaWiFS Bio-Optical Archive and Storage System (SeaBASS):

5 - References

Behrenfeld, M. J., Westberry, T. K., Boss, E. S., et al. (2009). Satellite-detected fluorescence reveals global physiology of ocean phytoplankton. Biogeosciences 6, 779-795. http://dx.doi.org/10.5194/bg-6-779-2009

Carder, K. L, Chen, F. R., & Hawes, S. K. (2003). MODIS Ocean Science Team Algorithm Theoretical Basis Document 20: Instantaneous Photosynthetically Available Radiation and Absorbed Radiation by Phytoplankon.

6 - Data Access