In this activity, we will assess the capacity for hyperspectral infrared emissions imaging to distinguish methane emission hot-spots using locations identified under Activity 1 for regions with high, medium, low and background methane emissions. We will use infrared imaging across different locations to develop a tomographic reconstruction of concentration maps, highlighting previously unmonitored emissions. Our initial proof of testing will be scaled up to landfills to produce an emissions map across a landfill quadrant in both summer and winter conditions. At the same time, we will measure methane flux and total soil methane concentration in order to compare accuracy of results from the infrared imaging, contributing to the model development in Activity 5.
We anticipate that our proof-of-concept application of hyperspectral infrared imaging of methane emissions from landfills will lead to the confirmation of identified hot-spots, and validate point-source measurements with larger-scale imaging techniques. Based on our results, we will develop a standard operating protocol for hyperspectral imaging of methane emissions relevant to landfills, which will have potential application to wetlands, oil fields, and other environmental sources.