In order to understand the marine phytoplanktons role in the global marine ecosystem, it is necessary to derive global information on the distribution of major functional phytoplankton types (PFT) in the world oceans. So far only the dominant PFTs can be analysed from ocean color sensors such as CZCS, SeaWiFS, MODIS or MERIS. In our study we use PhytoDOAS, a method of Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy (DOAS) specialized for phytoplankton, to retrieve the absorption spectra and concentrations of various phytoplankton groups from high spectrally resolved satellite data of SCIAMACHY (Scanning Imaging Absorption Spectrometer for Atmospheric Cartography) on ENVISAT and GOME-2 (Global Ozone Measurement Experiment 2) on Meteosat. In-situ measured phytoplankton absorption spectra were used to identify these characteristic absorption spectra in SCIAMACHY data in the range of 430-500 and 530-590 nm. Pigment concentrations of in situ measurements were used to validate the satellite data, which showed a good agreement with the collocated in-situ measurements and with the NASA Ocean Biogeochemical Model. Results are of great importance for global modelling of marine ecosystems and climate change studies. http://www.sgmeet.com/aslo/nice2009/viewabstract2.asp?AbstractID=5410