Simple model of morphometric constraint on carbon burial in boreal lakes

A geometric theory was developed to explain the empirical relationship between carbon burial and lake shape in boreal lakes. The key feature of this model is an attenuation length scale, analogous models marine organic fluxes. This scale ratio how fast displaced vertically versus it respired engenders a simple with single easily constrained free parameter. Lake depths are modeled based on fractal area–volume relationships that reflect approximate invariance Earth’s topography idealized geometries. Carbon estimated by applying these depths. Using model, we demonstrate dynamic ratio—a metric morphometry calculated dividing square root surface area mean depth—and burial. We use scaling predict ratio, extension burial, varies across size spectrum. Our also provides basis for generalizing studies biome scale. By our census, estimate be 1.8 ± 0.5 g C/m2/yr or 1.1 id="m2">± 0.3 Tg C/yr among all