Detection of Methane Plumes Using Airborne Midwave Infrared (3–5 µm) Hyperspectral Data

Methane (CH₄) display spectral features in several regions of the infrared range (0.75–14 µm), which can be used for the remote mapping of emission sources through the detection of CH₄ plumes from natural seeps and leaks. Applications of hyperspectral remote sensing techniques for the detection of CH₄ in the near and shortwave infrared (NIR-SWIR: 0.75–3 µm) and longwave infrared (LWIR: 7–14 µm) have been demonstrated in the literature with multiple sensors and scenarios. However, the acquisition and processing of hyperspectral data in the midwave infrared (MWIR: 3–5 µm) for this application is rather scarce. Here, a controlled field experiment was used to evaluate the potential for CH₄ plume detection in the MWIR based on hyperspectral data acquired with the SEBASS airborne sensor. For comparison purposes, LWIR data were also acquired simultaneously with the same instrument. The experiment included surface and undersurface emission sources (ground stations), with flow rates ranging between 0.6–40 m³/h. The data collected in both ranges were sequentially processed using the same methodology. The CH₄ plume was detected, variably, in both datasets. The gas plume was detected in all LWIR images acquired over nine gas leakage stations. In the MWIR range, the plume was detected in only four stations, wherein 18 m³/h was the lowest flux sensed. We demonstrate that the interference of target reflectance, the low contrast between plume and background and a low signal of the CH₄ feature in the MWIR at ambient conditions possibly explain the inferior results observed for this range when compared to LWIR. Furthermore, we show that the acquisition time and weather conditions, including specific limits of temperature, humidity, and wind speed, proved critical for plume detection using daytime MWIR hyperspectral data.