Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3182
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2024-3182
29 Oct 2024
 | 29 Oct 2024
Status: this preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).

Identification and Quantification of CH4 Emissions from Madrid Landfills using Airborne Imaging Spectrometry and Greenhouse Gas Lidar

Sven Krautwurst, Christian Fruck, Sebastian Wolff, Jakob Borchardt, Oke Huhs, Konstantin Gerilowski, Michał Gałkowski, Christoph Kiemle, Mathieu Quatrevalet, Martin Wirth, Christian Mallaun, John P. Burrows, Christoph Gerbig, Andreas Fix, Hartmut Bösch, and Heinrich Bovensmann

Abstract. Methane (CH4), alongside carbon dioxide (CO2), is a key driver of anthropogenic climate change. Reducing CH4 is crucial for short-term climate mitigation. Waste-related activities, such as landfills, are a major CH4 source, even in developed countries. Atmospheric concentration measurements using remote sensing offer a powerful way to quantify these emissions. We study waste facilities near Madrid, Spain, where satellite data indicated high CH4 emissions. For the first time, we combine passive imaging (MAMAP2DL) and active lidar (CHARM-F) remote sensing aboard the German research aircraft HALO, supported by in situ instruments, to quantify CH4 emissions. Using the CH4 column data and ECMWF-ERA5 model wind information validated by airborne measurements, we estimate landfill emissions through a cross-sectional mass balance approach. Strong emission plumes are traced up to 20 km downwind on the 4th August 2022, with the highest CH4 column anomalies observed over active landfill areas in the vicinity of Madrid, Spain. Total emissions are estimated at ~13 th-1. Single co-located plume crossings from both instruments agree well within 1.2 th-1 (or 13 %). Flux errors range from ~25 to 40 %, mainly due to boundary layer and wind speed variability. This case study not only showcases the capabilities of applying a simple but fast cross-sectional mass balance approach, as well as its limitations due to challenging atmospheric boundary layer conditions, but also demonstrates the, to our knowledge, first successful use of both active and passive airborne remote sensing to quantify methane emissions from hot spots and independently verify their emissions.

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Sven Krautwurst, Christian Fruck, Sebastian Wolff, Jakob Borchardt, Oke Huhs, Konstantin Gerilowski, Michał Gałkowski, Christoph Kiemle, Mathieu Quatrevalet, Martin Wirth, Christian Mallaun, John P. Burrows, Christoph Gerbig, Andreas Fix, Hartmut Bösch, and Heinrich Bovensmann

Status: open (until 10 Dec 2024)

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Sven Krautwurst, Christian Fruck, Sebastian Wolff, Jakob Borchardt, Oke Huhs, Konstantin Gerilowski, Michał Gałkowski, Christoph Kiemle, Mathieu Quatrevalet, Martin Wirth, Christian Mallaun, John P. Burrows, Christoph Gerbig, Andreas Fix, Hartmut Bösch, and Heinrich Bovensmann
Sven Krautwurst, Christian Fruck, Sebastian Wolff, Jakob Borchardt, Oke Huhs, Konstantin Gerilowski, Michał Gałkowski, Christoph Kiemle, Mathieu Quatrevalet, Martin Wirth, Christian Mallaun, John P. Burrows, Christoph Gerbig, Andreas Fix, Hartmut Bösch, and Heinrich Bovensmann

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Short summary
Anomalously high CH4 emissions from landfills in Madrid, Spain, have been observed by satellite measurements in recent years. Our investigations of these waste facilities using passive and active airborne remote sensing measurements confirm these high emission rates with values of up to 13 th-1 during the overflight and show excellent agreement between the two techniques. A large fraction of the emissions is attributed to active landfill sites.