Improving Methane Leak Detection and Methane Flux Estimates with Drones, Eddy Covariance Towers, and Atmospheric Modeling

Research Partners: Paul Imhoff, University of Delaware, Ramin Yazdani, University of California, Davis, Fotini K. Chow, University of California, Berkeley

Budget: $300,000

Project Duration: 2 years

Landfills are a major source of methane emissions, but accurately measuring those emissions has long been a challenge. EREF supported a research project that combined drone technology, ground-based sensors, and advanced atmospheric modeling to uncover how methane leaks vary across landfill areas and throughout the day. The study found that daily cover regions emit the most methane, especially during daylight hours, and that drones can play a critical role in improving leak detection and total emissions estimates. These insights offer waste managers practical tools to better monitor and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from landfills.