Low-cost multispectral vegetation imaging system for detecting leaking CO₂ gas

Area of Science:

• Environmental Monitoring
• Remote Sensing Technology
• Geological Carbon Sequestration

Background:

• Carbon sequestration sites require monitoring for potential CO₂ leaks.
• Underground CO₂ storage poses risks that necessitate effective detection methods.
• Vegetation stress can serve as an indirect indicator of subsurface gas leaks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a low-cost multispectral imaging system for detecting CO₂ leaks from underground reservoirs.
• To utilize vegetation stress as an indirect marker for subsurface gas leakage.
• To create a self-contained, deployable system for environmental monitoring.

Main Methods:

• Development of a multispectral imager with a 50° field of view and a CMOS detector.
• Utilizing angle-dependent interference filters for spectral band definition.
• Calculating the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) using red and near-infrared reflectances.
• Statistical analysis of spatial and temporal NDVI patterns to detect anomalous vegetation stress.
• Integration of an onboard computer and weather-proof housing for outdoor deployment.

Main Results:

• The system successfully employs multispectral imaging for indirect detection of CO₂ leaks.
• Analysis of vegetation stress via NDVI effectively identifies anomalous regions.
• The developed imager is low-cost, self-contained, and suitable for extended outdoor deployment.
• Flagging of stressed vegetation areas for targeted in-situ CO₂ sensor inspection.

Conclusions:

• The multispectral imaging system offers a viable, low-cost solution for monitoring carbon sequestration sites.
• Indirect detection of CO₂ leaks through vegetation stress analysis is feasible.
• The system's design facilitates self-contained, extended outdoor deployment for environmental safety.
• This technology enhances the safety and reliability of geological carbon sequestration operations.