WATeRS: an open web map service with near-real time MODIS level-2 standard chlorophyll products of the North Sea

WATeRS (http://ivm10.ivm.vu.nl/mapserver/WATeRS) is a portal for near-real time (NRT) satellite-derived water quality (chlorophyll) information products that is openly and interactively available for all on the Internet. It is based on automated conversion of remotely sensed data (in scientific formats) to geographic information system (GIS) formats, and comprises a customized Arc Internet Map Server (ArcIMS) application with an OpenGIS compliant Web Map Server connector. The resulting GIS-based open map service comprises a simple, clear and intuitive user interface, grid-cell query functionality, and is complemented by a metadata catalogue that provides full lineage of the chlorophyll maps, and automated archiving. WATeRS enables users to interactively explore remote sensing products, and to seamlessly combine this with other geographical data