Development of hyperspectral imaging platforms for quantifying methane emissions from managed wetlands, landfills, and the upstream oil and gas industry

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Canada urgently needs a domestic capacity to compile accurate bottom-up, year-over-year inventories from landfills, oil and gas operations, and wetlands, which represent the majority of Canada's methane (CH4) emissions. Landfill and wetland emissions are particularly challenging since they are highly dispersed and often intermittent. Imaging Fourier transform spectrometers (IFTSs), recently commercialized by Quebec City-based Telops, Inc., appear well-suited to these sources, since they can survey large areas; are sensitive to low CH4 concentrations, and are robust to uncertain gas temperatures and compositions. The research team is leveraging their expertise in spectroscopy, remote sensing, and CH4 emission quantification from landfills, wetlands, and Canada's oil and gas industry, to fully realize the potential of this technology. By working alongside scientists with Defence Research Development Canada, Environment and Climate Change Canada, and Ducks Unlimited Canada, along with Canada's oil and gas and waste management industries, they will develop a made-in-Canada solution for quantifying CH4 emissions using HS imaging. Research will commence with laboratory studies to develop machine learning measurement models, transition to controlled release experiments from point and diffuse sources, and culminate with proof-of-concept measurements from landfills, wetlands, and an upstream petroleum facility.The Federal and provincial governments will use highly accurate IFTS-compiled methane inventories to inform science-based policies and enforce environmental laws. This research will give Telops a new capacity for environmental monitoring, which Canadian petroleum and waste management industries will use to reduce their emissions. Finally, the multidisciplinary training environment will equip at least 7 HQP with skills needed by the Federal government, regulators, and Canada's growing clean technology sector.