Aquarius Level 2 salinity data are being released for evaluation and validation purposes.  The data are still being calibrated and contain uncertainties.   There will be frequent calibration and reprocessing updates, replacing earlier versions, for the next several months. Data may be accessed by acknowledging a disclaimer through https://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/AquariusDataAccess in which the user agrees to accept full responsibility in how these data are used and to inform the project of problems and/or results found, as well as publications.

The image shown was produced by PO.DAAC using 7-day Aquarius L2 data (all three beams). The map shows several well-known ocean salinity features such as higher salinity in the subtropics; low salinity associated with the Amazon River outflow; higher average salinity in the Atlantic Ocean compared to the Pacific and Indian oceans; and lower salinity in rainy belts near the equator, in the northernmost Pacific Ocean and elsewhere. These features are related to large-scale patterns of rainfall and evaporation over the ocean, river outflow and ocean circulation.

More information about the Aquarius/SAC-D mission can be found here:

https://podaac.jpl.nasa.gov/SeaSurfaceSalinity/Aquarius
https://aquarius.nasa.gov/