Global Identification of Solid Waste Methane Super Emitters Using Hyperspectral Satellites
Environmental Science & Technology, vol. 59, pp. 18134–18145
Abstract
High Resolution Image Download MS PowerPoint Slide Solid waste is the third largest source of anthropogenic methane, and mitigating emissions is crucial for addressing climate change. We combine three high-resolution (30–60 m) hyperspectral satellite imagers (EMIT, EnMAP, and PRISMA) to quantify emissions from 38 strongly emitting disposal sites across worldwide urban methane hotspots. The imagers give consistent emission estimates, with EMIT and EnMAP having better sensitivity than PRISMA. Total observed emissions add up to 230 ± 15 t h –1, representing 5% of reported global solid waste emissions. Our estimates exceed the facility-level Climate TRACE inventory by a factor of 1.8, while we only detect emissions from 9 of the inventory’s 20 highest-emitting sites, highlighting the importance of facility-level information. Furthermore, multimonth observations reveal emission patterns potentially linked to facility operations. We estimate that these instruments could detect 35–60% of global landfill emissions, critically expanding on satellite instruments designed for methane and supporting emission mitigation.
Authors 13
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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Universitat Politècnica de València
Affiliation as printed
Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering
Universitat Politècnica de València
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Environmental Defense Fund · Universitat Politècnica de València
Affiliation as printed
Environmental Defense Fund
Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering
Universitat Politècnica de València
Environmental Defense Fund, Amsterdam 1083 HN, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Affiliation as printed
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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Affiliation as printed
Harvard University
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences
School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02138, United States
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Affiliation as printed
Carbon Mapper
Carbon Mapper, Pasadena, California 91105, United States
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Affiliation as printed
Carbon Mapper
Carbon Mapper, Pasadena, California 91105, United States
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California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Affiliation as printed
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
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California Institute of Technology · Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Affiliation as printed
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California 91109, United States
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Space Research Organisation Netherlands · Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Affiliation as printed
Department of Earth Sciences
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Department of Earth Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1081 HV, The Netherlands
SRON Space Research Organisation Netherlands, Leiden 2333 CA, The Netherlands
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