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The volume and mean depth of Earth's lakes
Author(s) -
Cael B. B.,
Heathcote A. J.,
Seekell D. A.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2016gl071378
Subject(s) - hydrosphere , biogeochemical cycle , volume (thermodynamics) , geology , environmental science , range (aeronautics) , climatology , physical geography , hydrology (agriculture) , biosphere , geography , ecology , chemistry , physics , materials science , geotechnical engineering , quantum mechanics , environmental chemistry , composite material , biology
Abstract Global lake volume estimates are scarce, highly variable, and poorly documented. We developed a rigorous method for estimating global lake depth and volume based on the Hurst coefficient of Earth's surface, which provides a mechanistic connection between lake area and volume. Volume‐area scaling based on the Hurst coefficient is accurate and consistent when applied to lake data sets spanning diverse regions. We applied these relationships to a global lake area census to estimate global lake volume and depth. The volume of Earth's lakes is 199,000 km 3 (95% confidence interval 196,000–202,000 km 3 ). This volume is in the range of historical estimates (166,000–280,000 km 3 ), but the overall mean depth of 41.8 m (95% CI 41.2–42.4 m) is significantly lower than previous estimates (62–151 m). These results highlight and constrain the relative scarcity of lake waters in the hydrosphere and have implications for the role of lakes in global biogeochemical cycles.