Satellite observations coupled with a buffer-zone framework for regional methane mapping
Advances in Space Research, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.asr.2026.07.073
- Dergi Adı: Advances in Space Research
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Artic & Antarctic Regions, Compendex, INSPEC, MEDLINE, Academic Search Ultimate (EBSCO), Engineering Source (EBSCO)
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Buffer analysis, Methane emissions, Rice foot-print, Rice mapping, Sentinel-5P
- Çanakkale Onsekiz Mart Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
This study evaluates the long-term spatial and temporal distribution of methane emissions from rice-growing regions and their source-centered dispersion using a wind-aware buffer-zone approach. Areas with buffer zone radii ranging from 0 to 125 km around identified rice fields were established using multi-source satellite data. Monthly average CH4 data from the Sentinel-5P TROPOMI sensor were acquired for the years 2019 to 2024, and a paddy-fraction weighted retrieval was applied to enable sub-pixel attribution. Methane concentrations in the analyzed region were investigated together with prevailing wind direction (downwind/upwind sectors) and ERA5-Land climate variables. Spatiotemporal trends and statistical significance were comprehensively evaluated. The findings indicate that CH4 emissions from rice paddies progressively diminish with downwind distance, with three independent statistical tests on yearly anomalies confirming a significant decay (linear slope = −0.095 ppb/km, p < 10−7; Spearman ρ = −0.383, p < 10−7; ANOVA F = 5.62, p < 10−4). Six-year mean CH4 concentrations declined from 1891.58 ppb in weighted paddy areas to 1879.17 ppb in the 100–125 km buffer ring. CH4 concentration in rice fields decreases to a minimum in February (non-cultivation period) and peaks in September (late-stage ripening and harvest), indicating a strong correlation between CH4 emissions and the agricultural activity cycle. Long-term trend analysis using the Yue–Wang modified Mann–Kendall test revealed statistically significant increasing CH4 trends in all regions (p < 0.001), with paddy areas exhibiting a higher increase rate than the Türkiye national average yet remaining below the global rate. This study contributes to the literature by employing remote sensing to identify the emission source (rice fields), apply wind-aware sectoral and statistical analyses, and evaluate long-term CH4 dynamics in regional and global context. The results demonstrate the importance of incorporating rice cultivation into regional planning to prevent high-emission zones and to contribute to climate change mitigation.