First Greenhouse Gas Plumes Detected With NASA-Designed Instrument

Using Satellite Data to Monitor Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Introduction

Carbon Mapper, a nonprofit organization, has utilized data from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to release the first methane and carbon dioxide detections from the Tanager-1 satellite. These detections have identified methane plumes in Pakistan and Texas, as well as a carbon dioxide plume in South Africa. The goal of Carbon Mapper is to identify and measure greenhouse gas emissions on a global scale and make this information accessible and actionable.

Tanager-1 Satellite

The Tanager-1 satellite, built by Planet Labs PBC and enabled by Carbon Mapper, was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on August 16. Its imaging spectrometer, based on technology developed at NASA JPL, has been collecting data to verify its proper functioning. The satellite plays a crucial role in detecting and measuring methane and carbon dioxide emissions, making it a significant step forward in addressing greenhouse gas emissions.

Methane and Carbon Dioxide Plumes

The data collected by Tanager-1 revealed a methane plume in Karachi, Pakistan, emanating from a landfill. The preliminary estimate of the source emissions rate is more than 2,600 pounds of methane released per hour. In Kendal, South Africa, a carbon dioxide plume was detected coming from a coal-fired power plant, with a preliminary estimate of approximately 1.3 million pounds of carbon dioxide per hour. Additionally, a methane plume was identified in the Permian Basin in Texas, one of the largest oilfields in the world, with a preliminary estimate of nearly 900 pounds of methane per hour.

Imaging Spectrometers

JPL has been at the forefront of imaging spectrometer development since the 1980s. Tanager-1’s imaging spectrometer can measure various wavelengths of light reflected from Earth’s surface, allowing researchers to identify different chemical compounds based on their unique spectral fingerprints. This technology enables the detection and measurement of emissions down to the facility level.

Data Availability and Carbon Mapper

Tanager-1 will scan approximately 116,000 square miles of Earth’s surface per day once it is fully operational. The methane and carbon dioxide measurements collected by the satellite will be publicly available on the Carbon Mapper data portal. Carbon Mapper is a nonprofit organization focused on mitigating greenhouse gas emissions by delivering precise and timely data at the facility scale. It is supported by a public-private partnership and funded by various philanthropic donors.

More About Carbon Mapper

Carbon Mapper’s mission is to fill gaps in the global ecosystem of methane and carbon dioxide monitoring systems. By providing precise and accessible data, Carbon Mapper aims to empower science-based decision making and action. The organization is leading the development of the Carbon Mapper constellation of satellites, with support from Planet Labs PBC, JPL, the California Air Resources Board, Arizona State University, RMI, and funding from philanthropic donors such as the High Tide Foundation and Bloomberg Philanthropies.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 13: Climate Action

   • Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
   • Target 13.3: Improve education, awareness-raising, and human and institutional capacity on climate change mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning
   • Target 13.1: Strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards and natural disasters

   The article discusses the detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions, specifically methane and carbon dioxide plumes, which are directly related to climate change. The work of Carbon Mapper and the Tanager-1 satellite contributes to the goals of climate action by identifying and measuring these emissions on a global scale.

2. SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure

   • Target 9.4: Upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable

   The article mentions the imaging spectrometer technology developed at NASA JPL and used in the Tanager-1 satellite. This technology represents innovation in the field of remote sensing and contributes to sustainable infrastructure by enabling the detection and measurement of greenhouse gas emissions.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: jpl.nasa.gov