Computed geophysical fields from a 3‐D general circulation model are coupled with the Coastal Zone Color Scanner (CZCS) satellite data on chlorophyll content of surface ocean waters. The CZCS satellite data on chlorophyll content of surface ocean waters are used to estimate the ‘photochemical lability’ of dissolved organic matter in the surface ocean. Monthly estimates are made of the global ocean to atmosphere flux of a biogeochemically important gas, carbonyl sulfide (OCS), with 2.8° × 2.8° latitude‐longitude spatial resolution. This novel technique provides a conceptual and computational method for integrating data collected as part of future satellite measurement campaigns, such as the Earth Observing System (EOS) and Sea‐viewing Wide‐field‐of view Sensor (Sea WiFS), with 3‐D chemistry‐climate prediction models.