Biogeosciences
Biogeosciences
BG
Articles | Volume 22, issue 18
Articles | Volume 22, issue 18
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4705-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/bg-22-4705-2025
© Author(s) 2025. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 22, issue 18
Research article
 | 
17 Sep 2025
Research article |  | 17 Sep 2025

On the challenges of retrieving phytoplankton properties from remote-sensing observations

Jason Xavier Prochaska and Robert J. Frouin

Viewed

Total article views: 5,910 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total BibTeX EndNote
4,262 1,453 195 5,910 154 197
  • HTML: 4,262
  • PDF: 1,453
  • XML: 195
  • Total: 5,910
  • BibTeX: 154
  • EndNote: 197
Views and downloads (calculated since 14 Mar 2025)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 14 Mar 2025)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 5,910 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 5,741 with geography defined and 169 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 

Cited

Saved (final revised paper)

Latest update: 26 Jul 2026
Download
Short summary
Satellites monitor ocean health globally, but we discovered a fundamental physics limitation when measuring phytoplankton – tiny plants essential to marine ecosystems. Our analysis shows that even advanced satellites cannot reliably distinguish phytoplankton from other ocean components. This challenges decades of research and suggests that existing measurements have greater uncertainties than realized. Combining satellite data with direct ocean sampling is needed for better monitoring of these vital organisms.
Read more
Share
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint