SatCO2 is a marine satellite data online analysis platform, formerly known as the satellite-based marine carbon monitoring and analysis system, hereinafter referred to as the "SatCO2 platform." It is a platform that can simultaneously fulfill visualization and project scientific calculations of multiple-sources satellite data, in situ data, and modelling products on a three-dimensional virtual Earth. It is free to the public, to promote sharing and multidisciplinary application of marine investigation data.
The SatCO2 platform was jointly developed by the State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics of the Second Institute of Oceanography of the Ministry of Natural Resource (SOED/SIO/MNR) and Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Geographic Information System of Zhejiang University (GISLAB/ZJU). The SatCO2 platform has two components: online database and client software. Users can download the SatCO2 client software for installation and usage. The online services of long time series and multi-source satellite data are provided by the SOED/SIO. A user can conveniently assess the online data from the SOED through SatCO2 system for online visual analysis, and to use the system for comprehensive analysis based the multi-source satellite data and in situ data on user’s own computer.
The major functions of the SatCO2 platform are summarized as follows:
1) Online access of satellite remote sensing data;
2) 3D Earth visualization and scientific computation;
3) Analysis and evaluation of multi-source (satellite, in situ, and model) data;
4) User-defined algorithms and product generation;
5) Calculation and evaluation of ocean carbon flux;
6) Easy integration of professional modules.
1.1 SatCO2 Main Functions
SatCO2 V1.0 software consists of nine main menu items in total, namely, Load Data, View Image, Data Analysis,User-define Algorithm, Comparison Analysis, Budget Calculation, Expanded Apps, and Help, as detailed below.
(1) Load Data
Data loading at the database center: connect with the SOED data center through SatCO2 client software to realize the query and retrieval of satellite data, in situ data, and modeling products shared in the database, and display them in 3D geospheres. The loaded data can be downloaded by right-clicking the data layer list window and exported in the format of .tif.
Local data loading: SatCO2 software supports users’ local satellite and in situ data loading and online analysis. Currently supported formats are .tif, .hdf, .netcdf, and .csv.
(2) Image Display
Image display allows the user to load data and display them in 3D geospheres. The user can customize the image display mode, including: 1) customize the colorbar of satellite data; 2) overlay display on different layers and set transparency; 3) 3D spherical view and image roaming flight; and 4) measure spatial geographic information ofselected points, lines, and surface areas.
(3) Data Analysis
The user can select, analyze, and save the data of active layer in different ways of selected points, lines, and surface areas. The user can also search and select the long time series data in the online database by setting different time ranges, and carry out analysis on the points, lines, and areas of interest using the long time series data. System also provides animation playback function of continuous observation satellite product.
(4) User-define Algorithms
1) The user can use the data from online database or data in user’s own computer to generate new satellite products through convenient operation of mouse click and input algorithm formula, and conduct various visual analysis using SatCO2 software. 2) Gridding calculation of in situ or satellite data. 3) Perform data filtering, interest area extraction and data classification for satellite products. 4) Select satellite data in the database, generate custom thematic diagrams, and export them.
(5) Comparison Analysis
Current version provides two functions. 1) Users can use imported in situ data to verify the accuracy of matched satellite products, and obtain scatter diagram and statistical comparison results. 2) Compare two satellite images for the same region.
(6) Budget Calculation
The software provides calculations of air-sea CO2 flux. 1) Air-sea CO2 flux can be calculated using satellite datawith system default algorithm or custom algorithm. 2) Air-sea CO2 flux can also be calculated based on in situ data andsome matched-up satellite data if some parameters are unavailable from the field measurement, such as wind speed or air CO2. 3) Estimate of carbon budget can be obtained based on air-sea CO2 flux products, via area integral of the interest area.
(7) Theme Application (Expanded Apps)
This part is the thematic functional modules for specific application. The current version only integrates the satellite identification module of harmful algae bloom. More application modules will be integrated into updated version.
(8) Help
This part includes user manual download, update check, source of base map, language switching, etc.
1.2 System Requirements
| Requirements |
Recommended configuration |
Minimum configuration |
| OS |
64-bit Windows 7 |
32-bit Windows 7/8/10 |
| Processor |
Intel Core i5 3470 |
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 |
| Memory |
8 GB |
4 GB |
| Hard disk |
10 GB |
10 GB |
| Video card* |
NVIDIA GTX 660 |
NVIDIA 9800 GT |
| Network bandwidth |
10 MB |
4 MB |
[1] SatCO2 needs to be installed and operated on user’s own computer. If the computer does not have discrete graphicscard, the software may run but some functions are not available (for example, in sit data display and symbolization), or the entire software may not work.
How to check whether your computer is installed with discrete graphics card:
1) Right-click "My computer/Computer" and left-click "Properties."
2) Left-click "Device manager."
3) Left-click “Display adapters.” If it shows “AMD” or “NVIDIA,” then it has discrete graphics card. If showed only “Intel,” it doesn’t have discrete graphics card.
[2] For a high-resolution display, please adjust the display zoom percentage to 100%.
How to adjust the display scale:
1) Right-click in a blank area of the desktop and click display Settings.
2) Adjust the display zoom percentage of the size of the text to 100%.
1.3 SatCO2 Installation
Please confirm whether the system software and hardware meet the minimum configuration requirements before installation.
Run the system installation package "SatCO2.exe." The installation prompt wizard appears. During installation, you will be prompted to select the installation directory. Please select the non-system packing directory for installation, and make sure that the available disk space is greater than 300 MB. Once the program is installed, you can start the software by double-clicking the desktop shortcut ("SatCO2").
