The BIOPTIMOD Project: Integration of Novel Satellite and BGC-Argo Optical Observations in CMEMS Biogeochemical Models

We present the insights of a multi-spectral bio-optical model developed in the framework of the BIOPTIMOD Service Evolution for the Copernicus Marine Environment Monitoring System (CMEMS-SE). BIOPTIMOD integrates the CMEMS Mediterranean Sea biogeochemical model (multi-stoichiometric, phytoplankton functional types -PFT- based) with novel optical data streams provided by novel observations platforms, such as the Biogeochemical Argo floats (BGC-Argo) and the multi-spectral satellite sensors (ESA-CCI and Sentinel-OLCI). Our approach aims to improve the quality and reduce the uncertainty of paramount CMEMS biogeochemical products such as phytoplankton biomass and primary production. Moreover, the new tools allow to address important ecological aspects related to PFT specific affinity for different wavelengths, ecological niches at different depths, and the effect of CDOM on light penetration along the water column.

We present: 1) the optical dataset gathered from BGC-Argo floats and satellite sensors; 2) the multi-spectral upgrade of the bio-optical model currently embedded used in CMEMS, also considering the role of PFT and CDOM; 3) the assessment of the new bio-optical model within the CMEMS quality framework.

Major impacts of the project are: the improvement of CMEMS biogeochemical products, the development of new optics-related biogeochemical products for CMEMS, the improvement of the multi-data assimilative scheme of optical measurements, and the strengthening of the scientific and technological links with the new generation of marine bio-optical sensors.