MethaneCAMP project – overview of results

The ESA funded MethaneCAMP project has focused on assessing, improving, and analysing satellite observations of methane (CH4) in the Arctic in support of the collaborative ESA-NASA Arctic Methane and Permafrost Challenge (AMPAC) initiative. 

Traditionally, the high latitude conditions have received minor attention when the satellite retrievals for methane have been optimised for global purposes as there has been known challenges caused by high solar zenith angles, low reflectivity over snow and ice, frequent cloudiness, varying polar vortex conditions and limited number of validation data sets. Now when the two-year MethaneCAMP project is finishing, we will demonstrate the recent improvements in the observation capacity over the polar regions by assessing and optimising methane SWIR and TIR retrievals at high northern latitudes. Moreover, the importance of AirCore reference observations of methane profiles in the varying polar vortex conditions will be highlighted.

We will analyse the long-term methane trends in the northern high latitudes and permafrost regions by using satellite observations and inverse modelling. We aim to demonstrate the potential of using satellite observations of methane together with modelling and surface observations in analysing spatial and temporal changes of the Arctic methane. Detection of methane hot spots will also be mentioned.

In MethaneCAMP project our focus has been on Sentinel 5P/TROPMI, GOSAT, GOSAT-2 and IASI XCH4 observations and GHGSat emission estimates. In this presentation we summarise the results of the project and discuss how the outcomes can be utilised in the AMPAC working group activities.