The Ocean Biology DAAC produces near real-time (NRT) products using the best-available combination of ancillary data from meteorological and ozone data. As such, the inputs and the calibration used are less than optimal. Near real-time products provide a snapshot of the data during a short time period within a single orbit.

AVW (Apparent Visible Wavelength) quantifies the spectral “center” of ocean color by summarizing the shape of the water‐leaving reflectance spectrum (Rrs) across the visible range. Reported in nanometers (nm), AVW is lower for bluer, clearer (oligotrophic) waters and higher for greener/browner, more optically complex or productive waters influenced by phytoplankton, colored dissolved organic matter (CDOM), or suspended sediments. Users apply AVW for water-type classification, algorithm selection/blending (e.g., guiding chlorophyll retrievals), regional change detection, and as context alongside chlor_a, Kd_490, IOPs, and PAR. As with all ocean-color products, review quality flags (cloud/glint/aerosol) and note that interpretations can vary in optically complex coastal/inland waters.

Geophysical variables in this suite include:
• avw — Apparent Visible Wavelength (nm)