RAPID: Fossil-Fuel Extraction Industry Methane Emission Ground Reference Measurements during the AVIRIS Response to the Gulf Oil Spill

化石燃料生产产生的甲烷排放被估计为温室气体CH 4的主要来源之一，估计约占CO2辐射转移影响的30%，然而，几乎没有同行评议的研究对这些排放进行了实地评估，EPA估计这些排放是美国最大的非人为CH 4来源。目前的知识水平部分是因为需要成像光谱遥感，最近首次展示了AVIRIS（机载可见红外成像光谱仪）的海洋地质源和太阳返辉。 该方法是在艾灵顿空军基地和漏油之间的运输过程中，在墨西哥湾平台燃烧（4300个活动平台）的当前使命（Leifer是NASA漏油响应的空中使命协调科学家）期间，使用替代收集的AVIRIS高光谱数据。 典型的未燃烧的燃烧CH 4为5x 106 m3 dy-1。这些数据将作为参考GOSAT数据的基础（Leifer/Roberts是GOSAT科学小组的成员）。 平台源比地质源更容易评估，AVIRIS可以在当前的使命中收集约1000个平台源观测值，但不是关键的地面参考测量值。 结果也将有助于未来的卫星平台的发展，如HyspIRI.这个快速的研究使用SEBASS（高光谱热红外，允许高云/夜间观测）映射CH 4羽从一个双水獭与更高的空间分辨率比AVIRIS（在运输过程中），这也允许在一系列的高度和顺风距离的现场空气采样。 羽流建模允许通过原位数据验证辐射传输衍生的柱-CH 4。SEBASS被配置用于战术（接近真实的时间羽流可视化）CH 4羽流识别，允许样品收集指导。每个飞行日还将从双水獭号和水面船只上收集数百个空气样本，装在真空罐和小瓶中。 因此，这一快速行动是应对海湾石油泄漏的协调努力的一部分。最终结果将是对墨西哥湾石油泄漏甲烷排放量的估计。

Methane emissions from fossil fuel production are estimated as one of the major sources of the greenhouse gas CH4, estimated responsible for ~30% the radiative transfer impact of CO2, yet, virtually no peer-reviewed studies have field-evaluated these emissions, which EPA estimates are the largest non-anthropogenic US CH4 source. The current state of knowledge is in part because of the need for imaging spectrometric remote sensing, recently first demonstrated with AVIRIS (Airborne Visual Infrared Imaging Spectrometer) for a marine geologic source and sunglint. The approach is to use vicariously collected AVIRIS hyperspectral data during transit between Ellington AFB and the oil spill, during the current mission (Leifer is Airborne Mission Coordinating Scientist for the NASA spill response) of Gulf of Mexico platform flaring (4300 active platforms). Typical uncombusted flaring CH4 is 5x106 m3 dy-1. These data will ground reference GOSAT data (Leifer/Roberts are on the GOSAT science team). Platform sources will be far easier to evaluate than the geologic source, and AVIRIS could collect order ~1000 platform-source observations over the current mission, but not critical ground reference measurements. Results also will aid future satellite platform development, like HyspIRI.This RAPID study uses SEBASS (hyperspectral thermal IR, allowing high cloud/nighttime observations) to map CH4 plumes from a Twin Otter with far higher spatial resolution than AVIRIS (during transit), which also allows in situ air sampling at a range of altitudes and down wind distances. Plume modeling allows radiative transfer-derived column-CH4 validation by in situ data. SEBASS is configured for tactical (near real time plume visualization) CH4 plume identification, allowing sample collection guidance. Hundreds of air samples will also be collected in evacuated cans and vials per flight-day from the Twin Otter as well as from surface vessels. This RAPID is thus part of a coordinated effort in response to the Gulf oil leak. The ultimate result will be an estimate of methane emissions from the Gulf oil leak.