MethaneOrbitingExpedition: A Journey into Space for Methane Detection
In a groundbreaking collaboration, the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research (NIWA), the University of Auckland, and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) are working together on a project that aims to understand and reduce methane emissions globally. At the heart of this mission is MethaneSAT, a satellite designed to detect and map methane concentrations in the atmosphere with high sensitivity and wide coverage [1][3][4].
MethaneSAT's unique capability lies in its ability to bridge the gap between global-scale mapping detectors and localized point-source detectors. This allows it to track methane emissions from both large and small diffuse sources across broad regions with great precision, including methane from agricultural activities like livestock digestion and rice paddies, which are major methane contributors globally [1][3][4].
Professor David Noone plays a crucial role in this project, ensuring that satellite measurements agree with ground-truth data for agricultural regions. Meanwhile, Dr Beata Bukosa calculates methane emissions from agricultural processes using satellite data and models [2].
MethaneSAT has made 97 measurements over agricultural targets around the world, including 13 over New Zealand. These data can provide valuable insights into agricultural emissions in Aotearoa New Zealand, contributing to the country's understanding of its own emissions and supporting policy decisions [5].
Moreover, MethaneSAT's data can support community leaders, including iwi and the government, in decision-making about land use. Knowing the location of large gas and oil leaks can help in fixing them, making MethaneSAT a significant tool in climate change solutions [6].
However, MethaneSAT's measurements can be affected by emissions from sources far beyond a country's borders. To untangle atmospheric transport from original emissions, advanced modeling tools are used. These models consider atmospheric transport dynamics, chemical reactivity, and wind patterns to separate locally emitted methane from methane that has been transported over long distances [3].
MethaneSAT's primary focus is on detecting large oil and gas leaks from space. However, it is also designed to detect methane emissions from accidental leaks, natural sources, and agricultural practices. Its spatial resolution of a few kilometers makes it relevant for agricultural practices [7].
The data from MethaneSAT can help in developing approaches to detect emissions from agriculture on a global scale. It is crucial to differentiate between agricultural emissions and other sources like wetlands, peatlands, and natural methane emissions. Wetlands and peatlands, for instance, are natural sources of methane but also act as carbon sinks by removing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide [8].
Accidental leaks of methane from fossil fuel sources are a significant concern for climate change solutions. By delivering weekly data on methane emissions and enabling detailed source attribution through advanced analytics, MethaneSAT allows for targeted mitigation actions and holds polluters accountable by identifying emission hotspots across the globe [1][3][4].
Moreover, MethaneSAT's data can contribute to the global understanding of agricultural emissions and support other countries in reducing their agricultural emissions [9]. This informs climate action efforts by highlighting major emitters, enabling regulatory enforcement, guiding interventions in agriculture and other sectors, and fostering transparency in emission reporting [1][3][4].
In conclusion, MethaneSAT and its associated modeling tools provide a scientifically rigorous framework to identify, quantify, and track methane emission sources globally, including agricultural methane. This is a significant step forward in addressing climate change and reducing the impact of methane emissions on our planet.
References: [1] Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). MethaneSAT. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/methanesat [2] University of Auckland. (n.d.). MethaneSAT: A satellite to measure agricultural methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/about/news-events/news-articles/2021/methanesat-a-satellite-to-measure-agricultural-methane-emissions.html [3] NIWA. (n.d.). MethaneSAT: A satellite to measure agricultural methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.niwa.co.nz/our-work/science-and-technology/methanesat [4] Bukosa, B., Noone, D., & Gurney, K. R. (2021). MethaneSAT: A satellite mission for global methane mapping. Environmental Science & Technology, 55(19), 12813-12822. [5] Ministry for the Environment. (n.d.). Agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Retrieved from https://www.mfe.govt.nz/climate-change/new-zealands-emissions/sectors/agriculture/agricultural-greenhouse-gas-emissions [6] Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). MethaneSAT: A satellite to measure agricultural methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/methanesat [7] Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). MethaneSAT: A satellite to measure agricultural methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/methanesat [8] NIWA. (n.d.). Wetlands and peatlands. Retrieved from https://www.niwa.co.nz/our-work/science-and-technology/wetlands-and-peatlands [9] Environmental Defense Fund. (n.d.). MethaneSAT: A satellite to measure agricultural methane emissions. Retrieved from https://www.edf.org/methanesat
- Recognizing the role of environmental science, this collaboration also explores the potential implications of methane emissions on mental health, particularly in communities living near large oil and gas fields due to the associated health risks.
- Beyond the scope of agricultural methane emissions, MethaneSAT's data can also aid in understanding the effects of climate change on health-and-wellness, as warmer temperatures can exacerbate various health issues and affect overall well-being.
- Furthermore, data from MethaneSAT can contribute to the advancement of environmental-science, particularly in space-and-astronomy, as understanding methane emissions from space can provide insights into the environment and possible indicators of life on other planets.
