Methane Emissions from Superemitting Coal Mines in Australia Quantified Using TROPOMI Satellite Observations
Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 55, pp. 16573–16580
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Two years of satellite observations were used to quantify methane emissions from coal mines in Queensland, the largest coal-producing state in Australia. The six analyzed surface and underground coal mines are estimated to emit 570 ± 98 Gg a –1 in 2018–2019. Together, they account for 7% of the national coal production while emitting 55 ± 10% of the reported methane emission from coal mining in Australia. Our results indicate that for two of the three locations, our satellite-based estimates are significantly higher than reported to the Australian government. Most remarkably, 40% of the quantified emission came from a single surface mine (Hail Creek) located in a methane-rich coal basin. Our findings call for increased monitoring and investment in methane recovery technologies for both surface and underground mines.
Authors 8
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Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research · Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
Department of Climate, Air and Sustainability, TNO, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research
Affiliation as printed
Department of Climate, Air and Sustainability, TNO, 3584 CB Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, 1081 HV Amsterdam, The Netherlands
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research, 3584 CA Utrecht, The Netherlands
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