Daily Global Methane Super‐Emitter Detection and Source Identification With Sub‐Daily Tracking

Geophysical Research Letters, vol. 52

Abstract

Abstract We use the Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) satellite instruments to retrieve atmospheric methane enhancements with 750 m resolution. We show that the three VIIRS instruments in orbit uniquely enhance tracking of methane super‐emission events with sub‐daily coverage. The VIIRS instrument on Suomi‐NPP and the TROPOMI instrument on Sentinel‐5 Precursor have overpasses that are only a few minutes apart, which allows for detection of methane super‐emitters by TROPOMI followed by direct attribution to sources by VIIRS. This showcases the components needed to develop the first satellite system capable of daily, global, actionable, monitoring. The co‐location also allows us to cross‐validate our VIIRS methane enhancements with TROPOMI. Furthermore, we show how the multiple overpasses per day by VIIRS and Sentinel‐3 give a unique insight in the timeline of emissions and can be vital in understanding and attributing transient emissions.

Authors 6

1. Tobias A. de Jong corresponding Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

2. Joannes D. Maasakkers Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

3. Itziar Irakulis‐Loitxate

   United Nations Environment Programme · Universitat Politècnica de València

   Affiliation as printed

   International Methane Emission Observatory United Nations Environment Program Paris France

   Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA) Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV) Valencia Spain

4. Cynthia A. Randles

   United Nations Environment Programme

   Affiliation as printed

   International Methane Emission Observatory United Nations Environment Program Paris France

   Now at Scepter, Inc Waverly TN USA

5. Paul J. J. Tol Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands

   Affiliation as printed

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

6. Ilse Aben Aachen SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands

   Space Research Organisation Netherlands · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

   Affiliation as printed

   Department of Earth Sciences Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam Amsterdam The Netherlands

   SRON Netherlands Institute for Space Research Leiden The Netherlands