دورية أكاديمية

First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK

التفاصيل البيبلوغرافية
العنوان: First validation of high-resolution satellite-derived methane emissions from an active gas leak in the UK
المؤلفون: E. Dowd, A. J. Manning, B. Orth-Lashley, M. Girard, J. France, R. E. Fisher, D. Lowry, M. Lanoisellé, J. R. Pitt, K. M. Stanley, S. O'Doherty, D. Young, G. Thistlethwaite, M. P. Chipperfield, E. Gloor, C. Wilson
المصدر: Atmospheric Measurement Techniques, Vol 17, Pp 1599-1615 (2024)
بيانات النشر: Copernicus Publications, 2024.
سنة النشر: 2024
المجموعة: LCC:Environmental engineering
LCC:Earthwork. Foundations
مصطلحات موضوعية: Environmental engineering, TA170-171, Earthwork. Foundations, TA715-787
الوصف: Atmospheric methane (CH4) is the second-most-important anthropogenic greenhouse gas and has a 20-year global warming potential 82 times greater than carbon dioxide (CO2). Anthropogenic sources account for ∼ 60 % of global CH4 emissions, of which 20 % come from oil and gas exploration, production and distribution. High-resolution satellite-based imaging spectrometers are becoming important tools for detecting and monitoring CH4 point source emissions, aiding mitigation. However, validation of these satellite measurements, such as those from the commercial GHGSat satellite constellation, has so far not been documented for active leaks. Here we present the monitoring and quantification, by GHGSat's satellites, of the CH4 emissions from an active gas leak from a downstream natural gas distribution pipeline near Cheltenham, UK, in the spring and summer of 2023 and provide the first validation of the satellite-derived emission estimates using surface-based mobile greenhouse gas surveys. We also use a Lagrangian transport model, the UK Met Office's Numerical Atmospheric-dispersion Modelling Environment (NAME), to estimate the flux from both satellite- and ground-based observation methods and assess the leak's contribution to observed concentrations at a local tall tower site (30 km away). We find GHGSat's emission estimates to be in broad agreement with those made from the in situ measurements. During the study period (March–June 2023) GHGSat's emission estimates are 236–1357 kg CH4 h−1, whereas the mobile surface measurements are 634–846 kg CH4 h−1. The large variability is likely down to variations in flow through the pipe and engineering works across the 11-week period. Modelled flux estimates in NAME are 181–1243 kg CH4 h−1, which are lower than the satellite- and mobile-survey-derived fluxes but are within the uncertainty. After detecting the leak in March 2023, the local utility company was contacted, and the leak was fixed by mid-June 2023. Our results demonstrate that GHGSat's observations can produce flux estimates that broadly agree with surface-based mobile measurements. Validating the accuracy of the information provided by targeted, high-resolution satellite monitoring shows how it can play an important role in identifying emission sources, including unplanned fugitive releases that are inherently challenging to identify, track, and estimate their impact and duration. Rapid, widespread access to such data to inform local action to address fugitive emission sources across the oil and gas supply chain could play a significant role in reducing anthropogenic contributions to climate change.
نوع الوثيقة: article
وصف الملف: electronic resource
اللغة: English
تدمد: 1867-1381
1867-8548
Relation: https://amt.copernicus.org/articles/17/1599/2024/amt-17-1599-2024.pdf; https://doaj.org/toc/1867-1381; https://doaj.org/toc/1867-8548
DOI: 10.5194/amt-17-1599-2024
URL الوصول: https://doaj.org/article/b47251203ecf4cf4a6fc9f267a4617c0
رقم الأكسشن: edsdoj.b47251203ecf4cf4a6fc9f267a4617c0
قاعدة البيانات: Directory of Open Access Journals
الوصف
تدمد:18671381
18678548
DOI:10.5194/amt-17-1599-2024