Mapping ethylene and acetylene plumes using satellite high-resolution imaging spectrometers that exploit the SWIR spectrum

Javier Roger , Adriana Valverde , Javier Gorroño , Michael Hilker, Zhipeng Pei , Itziar Irakulis-Loitxate, Luis Guanter

Ethylene (C2H4) and acetylene (C2H2) are reactive hydrocarbons that degrade air quality through ozone formation and atmospheric oxidation. However, space-based monitoring of plumes from these gases remains largely unexplored. Here, we demonstrate, for the first time, that ethylene and acetylene point-source emissions can be detected and quantified using shortwave infrared (SWIR) imaging spectroscopy, overcoming the spatial and spectral limitations of existing thermal infrared observations. As a proof of concept, we apply a matched filter approach to EMIT data to characterize plumes from these gases. We identify two ethylene plumes from industrial facilities in Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and two acetylene plumes from industrial regions in China (Wuhai and Baotou). The retrieved emission rates are consistent with available satellite-based estimates and reveal both previously identified and unreported hotspots, highlighting the potential of SWIR imaging spectrometers for high-resolution monitoring of point-source emissions from these species.