A multi-sensor framework for methane detection and flux estimation with scale-aware plume segmentation and uncertainty propagation from high-resolution spaceborne imaging spectrometers

Methane is the second most important contributor to global warming, and monitoring super-emitters from space is critical for climate mitigation. Despite the advancements in hyperspectral remote sensing, comparing methane observations across diverse imaging spectrometers remains a challenging task. Different retrieval algorithms, plume segmentation techniques and uncertainty treatments make it very hard to perform fair comparisons between different products. To overcome these difficulties, this study presents HyGAS (Hyperspectral Gas Analysis Suite), a unified, open-source framework for sensor-agnostic methane retrieval and flux estimation. Starting from the established clutter-matched-filter (CMF) formalism and a physical calibration in concentration–path-length units (ppm·m), we propagate both instrument noise and surface-driven background variability consistently from methane enhancement to Integrated Mass Enhancement (IME) and flux. The framework further includes a spectrally matched background-selection strategy, scaleaware segmentation with fixed physical criteria across resolutions, and emission-rate estimation via an IME–Ue f f approach informed by Large Eddy Simulation (LES). We demonstrate the framework on near-simultaneous observations of landfills and gas infrastructure in Argentina, Turkmenistan, and Pakistan, spanning Level-1 radiance workflows (PRISMA, EnMAP, Tanager-1) and Level-2 methane products (EMIT, GHGSat). The standardised chain enables systematic inter-comparison of methane enhancement products and reduces methodological bias, supporting robust multi-mission assessment and future global monitoring.