Space-based observations of tropospheric ethane map emissions from fossil fuel extraction
| dc.contributor.author | Brewer, J.F. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Millet, D.B. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Wells, K.C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Payne, V.H. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Kulawik, S. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Vigouroux, C. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Cady-Pereira, K.E. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Pernak, R. | |
| dc.contributor.author | Zhou, M. | |
| dc.date | 2024 | |
| dc.date.accessioned | 2024-09-11T15:52:21Z | |
| dc.date.available | 2024-09-11T15:52:21Z | |
| dc.identifier.uri | https://orfeo.belnet.be/handle/internal/13436 | |
| dc.description | Ethane is the most abundant non-methane hydrocarbon in the troposphere, where it impacts ozone and reactive nitrogen and is a key tracer used for partitioning emitted methane between anthropogenic and natural sources. However, quantification has been challenged by sparse observations. Here, we present a satellite-based measurement of tropospheric ethane and demonstrate its utility for fossil-fuel source quantification. An ethane spectral signal is detectable from space in Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) radiances, revealing ethane signatures associated with fires and fossil fuel production. We use machine-learning to convert these signals to ethane abundances and validate the results against surface observations (R2 = 0.66, mean CrIS/surface ratio: 0.65). The CrIS data show that the Permian Basin in Texas and New Mexico exhibits the largest persistent ethane enhancements on the planet, with regional emissions underestimated by seven-fold. Correcting this underestimate reveals Permian ethane emissions that represent at least 4-7% of the global fossil-fuel ethane source. | |
| dc.language | eng | |
| dc.title | Space-based observations of tropospheric ethane map emissions from fossil fuel extraction | |
| dc.type | Article | |
| dc.subject.frascati | Earth and related Environmental sciences | |
| dc.audience | Scientific | |
| dc.source.title | Nature Communications | |
| dc.source.volume | 15 | |
| dc.source.issue | 1 | |
| dc.source.page | A7829 | |
| Orfeo.peerreviewed | Yes | |
| dc.identifier.doi | 10.1038/s41467-024-52247-z | |
| dc.identifier.url |