CH4 – Methane
Precision Monitoring for Methane
Methane is a colorless, odorless, and highly flammable gas that is the primary component of natural gas. It is produced naturally by anaerobic decomposition in wetlands and wildfires and has sinks in both soil and the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, exceeding the global warming potential of CO₂, even with a shorter lifetime. Anthropogenic methane sources as well the rise in livestock populations have drastically increased atmospheric methane concentrations above preindustrial levels making precise measurements of methane critical to understanding climate and health effects.
Applications
- Agriculture and Geoscience
- Atmospheric Emissions
- Drone-based (UAV) Measurements
- Industrial Emissions Monitoring
- Natural Gas Leak Detection
Available Products
Related Publications
A methodology for quantifying combustion efficiencies and species emission rates of flares subjected to crosswind
Despite strong indications that flares subjected to crosswinds can undergo fuel strippingmechanisms that reduce efficiency and lead to emission of unburned fuel, most publishedflare experiments have not considered the impact of a crosswind. Knowledge of flareperformance in turbulent crosswinds representative of atmospheric wind is especiallylacking. Accurate experiments to fill this gap can only be achieved in an environment wherethe wind conditions can be controlled. This work presents a methodology to determine the …
A new laser-based and ultra-portable gas sensor for indoor and outdoor formaldehyde (HCHO) monitoring
In this work, a new commercially available, laser-based, and ultra-portable formaldehyde (HCHO) gas sensor is characterized, and its usefulness for monitoring HCHO mixing ratios in both indoor and outdoor environments is assessed. Stepped calibrations and intercomparison with well-established laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) instrumentation allow a performance evaluation of the absorption-based, mid-infrared HCHO sensor from Aeris Technologies, Inc. The Aeris sensor displays linear behavior (R² > 0.940) when …
A versatile gas flux chamber reveals high tree stem CH4 emissions in Amazonian peatland
Tree stems can be a major source of CH₄, altering the impact forests have on atmospheric radiative forcing. In the tropics stem flux monitoring has been limited, nevertheless available field studies have observed high variability of stem CH₄ flux rates between species and individuals and over the surface of individual tree stems. To evaluate the sources of variation and controls of CH₄ stem fluxes, methods supporting large sampling campaigns are needed. We designed a portable, flexible, easily installed chamber that produces replicable …
Evaluation of Aeris MIRA, Picarro CRDS G2307, and DNPH-based sampling for long-term formaldehyde monitoring efforts
Current formaldehyde measurement networks rely on the TO-11A offline chemical derivatization technique, which can be resource intensive and limited in temporal resolution. In this work, we evaluate the field performance of three new commercial instruments for continuous in-situ formaldehyde monitoring: the Picarro CRDS G2307 analyzer and Aeris Technologies’ MIRA Pico and Ultra gas analyzers. All instruments require regular drift correction, with …
Exploratory study of atmospheric methane enhancements derived from natural gas use in the Houston urban area
The extensive use of natural gas (NG) in urban areas for heating and cooking and as a vehicular fuel is associated with potentially significant emissions of methane (CH₄) to the atmosphere. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas that influences atmospheric chemistry, can be emitted from different sources including leakage from NG infrastructure, transportation, end-use uncombusted NG, landfills, and livestock. Although significant CH₄ leakage associated with aging distribution systems in the US has …
Intercomparison of commercial analyzers for atmospheric ethane and methane observations
Methane (CH₄) is a strong greenhouse gas that has become the focus of climate mitigation policies. Ethane/methane ratios can be used to identify and partition the different sources of methane, especially in areas with mixed natural gas and biogenic emissions. We assessed the precision, accuracy, and selectivity of three commercial laser-based analyzers marketed for instantaneous dry mole fraction measurements of methane and ethane in ambient air. The Aerodyne …
Intraseasonal variability of greenhouse gas emission factors from biomass burning in the Brazilian Cerrado
Landscape fires emit substantial amounts of greenhouse gases and aerosols each year. Frequently burning savannas are responsible for over 60% of total carbon emissions from biomass burning. Compared to other emission sources, fires have a strong seasonality. Previous research identified the mitigation potential of prescribed fires earlier in the dry season when fuels are less cured …
Pre-Exploration Measurement and Monitoring of Background Landscape Methane Concentrations and Fluxes in the Beetaloo sub-Basin
The Scientific Inquiry into Hydraulic Fracturing in the Northern Territory recommended baseline methane monitoring prior to exploration approvals. This study reports background methane concentrations and fluxes in the Beetaloo sub-Basin, with six months of pre-exploration data collection designed to establish regional baselines for future assessments …
Single-blind inter-comparison of methane detection technologies – results from the Stanford/EDF Mobile Monitoring Challenge
Methane leakage regulations in the US and Canada have encouraged new technologies for faster and cheaper leak detection. This work reports results from the first independent assessment of 10 mobile detection technologies using single-blind controlled methane releases to evaluate detection, localization, and quantification performance …
Stable carbon isotopic composition of biomass burning emissions – implications for estimating the contribution of C3 and C4 plants
Landscape fires significantly contribute to atmospheric greenhouse gases and aerosols. Stable carbon isotopes in biomass burning emissions can be used to trace contributions from C3 and C4 vegetation. This study evaluates variability in isotopic emissions due to fuel composition and burning conditions, improving source attribution …
Formaldehyde (HCHO) Budget in a Pristine Forest in Northern Michigan
The oxidation of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produces ozone and secondary organic aerosol, both of which impact air quality and climate. Studying VOC oxidation under pristine forest conditions is essential to understanding pre-industrial atmospheric chemistry. This dissertation examines the formaldehyde budget in a northern Michigan forest …
Gas and propane combustion from stoves emits benzene and increases indoor air pollution
Natural gas and propane combustion indoors emit benzene, nitrogen dioxide, carbon monoxide, and formaldehyde. This study measured indoor air pollution during stove use across 87 homes in California and Colorado, revealing detectable benzene emissions linked to gas and propane combustion …
Development of a sub-ppb resolution methane sensor using a GaSb-based DFB diode laser
A portable methane sensor for fugitive emissions monitoring was developed using a GaSb-based DFB diode laser near 3270 nm. The sensor provides high sensitivity and fast response times, measuring methane using direct absorption and wavelength-modulation spectroscopy of pressure-broadened lines …
Soil organic matter, greenhouse gas emissions, and sorghum yield in semi-arid drylands
Sorghum is an efficient, low-cost crop for semi-arid regions, but concerns exist regarding nitrogen losses as nitrous oxide (N₂O). This study measured soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, CO₂ and N₂O emissions, and crop yield under dairy compost and varying nitrogen fertilizer rates in dryland systems …
Neural networks to locate and quantify fugitive natural gas leaks for a MIR detection system
Fugitive natural gas leaks are a major source of atmospheric methane (CH₄). This work presents neural-network-based methodologies developed under the US DOE ARPA-E MONITOR program to locate and quantify methane leaks using mid-infrared detection systems for large-scale emission reduction …
Opportunities and challenges for savanna burning emissions abatement in southern Africa
Savanna fires in sub-Saharan Africa account for over 60% of global fire extent and contribute ~29% of global fire emissions. This study evaluates how early-dry-season burning programs—modeled after Australian methodologies—can help reduce CO and N₂O emissions across southern Africa …
Incentivizing sustainable fire management in Australia's northern arid spinifex grasslands
Australia’s fire-prone northern savannas have seen major transformation through regulated emissions-reduction markets. Incentivized fire management now covers over a quarter of the region, delivering environmental and socio-cultural benefits while reducing CO and N₂O emissions …
Development of compact continuous measurement system for atmospheric carbonyl sulfide concentration
Carbonyl sulfide (COS) is the most abundant sulfur-containing gas in the atmosphere and is a source of stratospheric sulfate aerosol (SSA) and a tracer for gross primary production (GPP). This work presents field measurements using the portable MIRA Pico COS analyzer to quantify COS concentrations worldwide and estimate contributions to SSA and GPP …
Grass buffer strips improve soil health and mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in center-pivot irrigated cropping systems
Buffer strips of perennial grasses in center-pivot irrigated fields were introduced to improve soil health and reduce CO and N₂O emissions. The study evaluated soil carbon and nitrogen dynamics, greenhouse gas emissions, and agronomic benefits of integrating circular grass buffer strips in corn cropping systems …
A Low-Power Continuous Measurement System for Atmospheric Carbonyl Sulfide Concentration and its Application to the Observation in Tsukuba, Japan
To improve COS budget estimates, a low-power continuous measurement system was designed using a portable laser-based analyzer. The system allows accurate COS concentration measurements at multiple observation sites and provides precise temporal variability data …
Intercomparison of commercial analyzers for atmospheric ethane and methane observations
Methane (CH₄) is a potent greenhouse gas. This study compared three commercial laser-based analyzers for measuring instantaneous methane and ethane concentrations in ambient air to assess precision, accuracy, and selectivity …
Gas Chromatography vs. Mid-Infrared Laser Absorption Spectroscopy: Comparison of methods for measuring greenhouse gas fluxes from arable soils
This study compares GC and mid-infrared laser absorption spectroscopy to determine CO₂, CH₄, and N₂O concentrations from soil flux measurements. Simultaneous chamber measurements under field conditions highlight accuracy and reliability of both techniques …
Sensitive drone mapping of methane emissions without supplementary ground-based measurements
A drone-based system was developed to map CH₄ emissions across landscapes. This method allows sensitive, accurate, and comprehensive measurements of methane hotspots and fluxes without the need for ground-based measurements …
Contributing to a Greener New York: Analysis of Methane Emissions in New York State
Mobile observations identified methane (CH₄) and ethane (C₂H₆) emissions in central New York State to support climate mitigation under the Community Leadership and Climate Protection Act. Two distinct emission plumes were observed from a mining facility, helping quantify localized sources …
Performance of mobile survey solutions for natural gas pipeline leaks under different soil type and moisture conditions
Advanced leak detection (ALD) solutions were tested to identify methane leaks under varying soil types and moisture levels. Controlled experiments reveal how subsurface and atmospheric conditions affect CH₄ leak detection success …
Inferring methane emissions from African livestock by fusing drone, tower, and satellite data
An observing system combining drone, flux tower, and satellite data estimates methane emissions from ruminants in Africa. A Bayesian inference approach quantifies emissions from cattle, goats, sheep, and camels, addressing uncertainties in regional emission mapping …
Genetic design of soybean hosts and bradyrhizobial endosymbionts reduces N₂O emissions from soybean rhizosphere
Soybeans inoculated with rhizobia having high N₂O-reducing activity can reduce N₂O emissions. This study leverages natural incompatibility systems between soybean and rhizobia to optimize rhizobial inoculation and minimize N₂O release under field conditions …
Improving consistency in methane emission quantification from the natural gas distribution systems across measurement devices
Mobile real-time measurements of ambient methane enable fast identification and quantification of CH₄ leaks from urban gas distribution systems. The methodology allows locating leaks for repair and constructing measurement-based emission estimates …
Integrated-path multi-gas sensor using near-infrared diode lasers: An alternative to vehicle-driven point gas analyzer
Integrated-path multi-gas sensors measure greenhouse gas concentrations from high-emission facilities without vehicles. This method provides high temporal resolution and accurate monitoring for CO₂ and N₂O, supporting regulatory compliance in climate initiatives …