Despite its seemingly low concentration in the atmosphere of less than 0.0002%, methane (CH4) is the second most important anthropogenic greenhouse gas, due to its high global warming potential. Over a period of a hundred years, methane is about thirty times more powerful than CO2. The 2021 IPCC report indicates a 0.28oC contribution to the total global warming of 1.1oC since pre-industrial times. Together with other Dutch partners, SRON has developed key technology for the TROPOMI instrument on the Copernicus Sentinel-5 Precursor mission. SRON is responsible for the CH4 data product and uses this data to estimate methane emissions worldwide. We specifically target super-emitters, for example some landfills or fossil fuel facilities. These have the potential to be the low-hanging fruit in efforts to mitigate global warming. SRON also develops the targeted TANGO mission to observe localized methane emission sources, together with our Dutch partners: ISIS Space, TNO, and KNMI.
TROPOMI aboard Sentinel-5p can be used to detect large methane emission plumes everywhere around the world. These plumes are automatically detected using the machine-learning setup described in Schuit et al. (2023, ACPD preprint). The weekly world maps show approximate source locations based on single TROPOMI plumes as well as initial source rate estimates based on an automated mass balance method.
We collaborate with climate researchers and modelers, and together contribute to the development of physical instruments and the promotion of scientific activities outside SRON.
Most important human-made greenhouse gas
Hard to monitor emissions because of long lifetime
Reactions with atmospheric gases contribute to global warming
Trace gas to calculate CO₂ emissions from forest fires
Small particles in the atmosphere
Largest unknown factor in climate change
Strong impact on air quality
The Dutch space instrument TROPOMI onboard Sentinel-5P automatically detects large methane emission plumes across the globe. The machine-learning technology for this is described in Schuit et al. (2023, ACPD preprint). The world maps show approximate source locations based on single TROPOMI plumes and initial source rate estimates calculated using an automated mass balance method. The number of detections fluctuates from week to week because of varying emissions, cloud cover, and viewing geometry. Plumes have only been subject to initial verification. Precise quantification and final interpretation require more extensive evaluation. The detections exclude larger-scale enhancements such as seen over the Permian Basin or over wetland areas.
If you use these detections for your research or other purposes, please let us know. We are happy to collaborate with anybody interested in these detections. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. When referencing the data, please credit the product generation to the SRON team (earth.sron.nl/methane-emissions/) and cite the Schuit et al. (2023) publication; Copernicus (modified) Sentinel-5p data have been used.
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