RGB plots as a tool for the simultaneous visualization of multiple data layers in a two dimensional space

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Data Visualization
• Oceanography

Background:

• Understanding complex environmental systems requires effective visualization of multidimensional data.
• Traditional methods like separate contour plots have limitations in showing interactions between variables.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel red, green, blue (RGB) visualization method for displaying environmental properties.
• To demonstrate the utility of this RGB method for analyzing nutrient and phytoplankton data.

Main Methods:

• Developed an RGB visualization technique where color saturation represents property concentration.
• Applied the method to visualize dissolved inorganic nutrient concentrations in the Mediterranean.
• Applied the method to visualize phytoplankton group cell numbers over time.

Main Results:

• The RGB visualization successfully depicted known water column properties.
• Identified previously less-known features, including high phosphorus and silica to nitrogen ratios in shallow waters.
• Revealed a deep eukariotic phytoplankton community.

Conclusions:

• The RGB visualization method provides a superior approach for visualizing interactions among multiple environmental variables compared to traditional methods.
• This technique enhances the understanding of complex environmental data, revealing subtle patterns and communities.