Tianyi Chen
Pronouns: he/him
Research Mentor(s): Mengze Li
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Department of Climate and Space Sciences and Engineering / Engineering
Program: UROP
Session: Session 5 (2:40pm – 3:30pm)
Authors:
Abstract
Enhancing the ability to map methane emissions is of utmost importance due to the significant role of methane as a potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential that is 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period. Precise measurement and understanding of methane emissions are crucial for formulating effective climate change policies and achieving global climate goals such as the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide. Earlier studies have used sensors and planned data collection to map emission data, which has limited the scope and accuracy of the data. In contrast, we employ satellite data, which provides a more accurate and comprehensive global view of methane emissions while eliminating systematic errors that planes encounter. Our principal approach involves extracting useful data from the NASA remote sensing satellite database for analysis using the R code. We draw distribution maps of greenhouse gases to examine some properties of greenhouse gases, particularly methane and carbon monoxide. Specifically, we plot the monthly average concentration of methane and daily methane concentration distributions, analyze the spatial and temporal distribution of methane over multiple years, and obtain some results. The broader implications of our work are profound. By mapping methane emissions, we can identify the sources of methane leaks and inefficiencies in industrial processes in urban areas, resulting in cost savings for companies and improvements in air quality. Furthermore, with sufficient data, we can predict future emissions and implement mitigation strategies to reduce emissions globally. In addition to methane, we are also endeavoring to map the concentration distribution of carbon monoxide, another gas which can affects air quality and human health.
