In-Use Stock of Copper Analysis Using Satellite Nighttime Light Observation Data

Abstract

We have developed a novel methodology for analyzing the worldwide copper stock-in-use by using nighttime light images. Radiance calibrated nighttime light imaged data (RCD) for the entire world has been assembled from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS) by the National Geophysical Data Center. It has been recognized that the intensity of nighttime light is strongly associated with such aspects of human settlement as population density and energy consumption. We assumed that the presence of light implies the use of electrical conducting material, namely copper. The stock-in-use data for copper in Japan, North America, Australia and China were obtained from previous material flow analysis studies. We analyzed the relationship between light accumulation and the size of the copper stock in those countries. A significant correlation was found and the feasibility of this method was confirmed. We employed this method to analyze the stock-in-use in other Asian countries. The in-use stock of copper was correlated with the gross domestic product (GDP). [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2009030]