Highlights: What are the main findings? The retrieval of phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) and functional types (PFTs) in the Mediterranea Sea from Ocean Colour data have been improved by updating the regional algorithms implemented in the EU Copernicus Marine Service. The new multi-sensor PSC and PFT time series, spanning over more than 25 years of data, revealed key changes in phytoplankton composition at monthly and basin scales. What is the implication of the main finding? Enhanced satellite-based estimates of phytoplankton diversity in the Mediterranean Sea will contribute to a deeper understanding of global biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation and marine ecosystems health. Accurate in situ quantification of community composition remains a key issue for improving satellite estimates of phytoplankton groups. Future research should prioritize integrating different in situ techniques and advancing technologies for a more comprehensive and quantitative characterization of the community, especially in view of new hyperspectral satellite missions (e.g., PACE). Understanding the composition of phytoplankton assemblages and monitoring changes in their diversity is a key factor in the comprehension of global biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation and marine ecosystem health, especially in the context of increasing global warming. Regional empirical algorithms for phytoplankton satellite estimates of size classes (PSCs) and functional types (PFTs) in the Mediterranean Sea have been developed and implemented in the EU Copernicus Marine Service since 2019. Here, we present an update of the PSC and PFT algorithms operational in the Copernicus catalogue since the end of 2024. Results show an overall improvement in the model performance, in line with Copernicus Marine Service requirements focused on the continuous enhancement of the accuracy of distributed biogeochemical variables. Finally, the new algorithms were applied to a time series of over 25 years of satellite data (1998–2024), enabling the identification of key changes in phytoplankton composition at both monthly and basin scales. These insights were made possible by an algorithm re-calibration based on updated and more comprehensive regional pigment ratios.
Ocean Colour Estimates of Phytoplankton Diversity in the Mediterranean Sea: Update of the Operational Regional Algorithms Within the Copernicus Marine Service
Artuso F.;Lai A.;Giardina I.;
2025-01-01
Abstract
Highlights: What are the main findings? The retrieval of phytoplankton size classes (PSCs) and functional types (PFTs) in the Mediterranea Sea from Ocean Colour data have been improved by updating the regional algorithms implemented in the EU Copernicus Marine Service. The new multi-sensor PSC and PFT time series, spanning over more than 25 years of data, revealed key changes in phytoplankton composition at monthly and basin scales. What is the implication of the main finding? Enhanced satellite-based estimates of phytoplankton diversity in the Mediterranean Sea will contribute to a deeper understanding of global biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation and marine ecosystems health. Accurate in situ quantification of community composition remains a key issue for improving satellite estimates of phytoplankton groups. Future research should prioritize integrating different in situ techniques and advancing technologies for a more comprehensive and quantitative characterization of the community, especially in view of new hyperspectral satellite missions (e.g., PACE). Understanding the composition of phytoplankton assemblages and monitoring changes in their diversity is a key factor in the comprehension of global biogeochemical cycles, climate regulation and marine ecosystem health, especially in the context of increasing global warming. Regional empirical algorithms for phytoplankton satellite estimates of size classes (PSCs) and functional types (PFTs) in the Mediterranean Sea have been developed and implemented in the EU Copernicus Marine Service since 2019. Here, we present an update of the PSC and PFT algorithms operational in the Copernicus catalogue since the end of 2024. Results show an overall improvement in the model performance, in line with Copernicus Marine Service requirements focused on the continuous enhancement of the accuracy of distributed biogeochemical variables. Finally, the new algorithms were applied to a time series of over 25 years of satellite data (1998–2024), enabling the identification of key changes in phytoplankton composition at both monthly and basin scales. These insights were made possible by an algorithm re-calibration based on updated and more comprehensive regional pigment ratios.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
