Recent research published in Atmosphere, Chemistry and Physics highlights advancements in methane emission tracking through the European Space Agency's (ESA) Sentinel-5P satellite. This satellite, developed in collaboration with the European Commission, the Netherlands Space Office, and industry partners, is equipped with the advanced Tropomi instrument, designed to map trace gases, including methane.
The study utilizes a new dataset on methane concentrations and an innovative algorithm created by the University of Bremen, part of ESA's Climate Change Initiative Greenhouse Gas Project. Claus Zehner, ESA's Mission Manager for Sentinel-5P, emphasized the satellite's unique capability, stating, 'Sentinel-5P is currently the only satellite that provides the feasibility to detect methane sources on a global scale and on a daily basis.'
Researchers analyzed methane levels from 2018 to 2021, identifying locations classified as persistent emitters based on consistently elevated methane concentrations compared to surrounding areas. Michael Buchwitz, a Senior Scientist at the University of Bremen, noted that the goal was to pinpoint sources emitting methane almost continuously over the analyzed period, which includes natural sources like wetlands as well as industrial areas such as coal mines and oil and gas fields.