Methane distribution over Greece as derived from Sentinel-5P TROPOMI data

Global warming, induced mainly by greenhouse gases emitted by human activities, is an environmental issue of crucial importance for society. Greenhouse gases, such as methane (CH4), need to be monitored and their anthropogenic emissions quantified in order to be reduced. We here present, the first systematic investigation of CH4 columns over Greece derived from the Sentinel-5 Precursor TROPOMI satellite instrument L-2 high spatial resolution data for the period 2019-2020. We gridded the data in 0.2ox0.2o grids and find an increase in CH4 columns between 2019 and 2020 and a clear seasonal pattern in CH4 column with high columns in summer and fall and the lowest in winter. We also identify Athens, Thessaly, Thessaloniki, Thrace and the Crete as areas with high CH4 columns.