First global map of soil moisture and ocean salinity

For the first time, data on soil moisture and sea-surface salinity have been combined on one map. The map was generated combining global measurements acquired in August 2010.

The sea-surface salinity data have a spatial resolution of 1×1°. Comparison with in situ measurements in the oceans averaged over 1×1° in August reveal a quasi-global accuracy of 0.4 practical salinity units, which is very promising after just one year in orbit.