In oreder to understand the marine phytoplankton's role in the global marine ecosystem and biogeochemical cycles it is necessary to derive to global information on the distribution of major functional phytoplankton types (PFT) in the world oceans. In our study we use instead of the common ocean colour sensors such as CZCS, SeaWiFS, MODIS, MERIS, with rather low spectral resolution, the Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) to study the retrieval of phytoplankton distribution and absorption with the satelite sensor Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Chartography (SCIAMACHY). SCIAMACHY measures back scattered solar tradition in the UV-Vis-NIR spectral region with a high spectral resolution (0.2 to 1.5 nm). We used in-situ measured phytoplakton absorption spectra from three different RV Polarstern expeditions where different phytoplakton groups were representing or domanating the phytoplakton composition in order to identify these characteristic absorption spectra in SCIAMACHY data in the range of 430 to 500 nm. In addition also SCIAMCHY data were analysed with DOAS in the range of 530 to 590 where absorption from cyanobactrial photosynthetic pigment phycoerythrin was identified. Our results show clearly these phytoplakton assemblage absorptions in the SCIAMCHY data. The conversion of these differential absorptions by including the information of the light penetration depth (according to Vountas et al. 2007) leads to globally distributed concentrations have been determind for three monthly periods (Feb-March 2004, Oct-Nov 2005 and Nov 2007). The information retrieved by DOAS from SCIAMACHY on phytoplankton groups and chl a is compared to collocated in-situ measurments, MERIS algal-1 data and to the global model analysis with the NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Model (NOBM from http://reason.gsfc.nasa.gov/OPS/Giovani/) according to Gregg and Casey 2006). Reasults are of great importance for global modelling of marine ecogystem and climate change studies regarding changes in the ocean.