Carbon balance of European lakes

Applicant: Prof. Dr. Matthias Hinderer, Dr. Adam Vecsei

Funding: DFG 643/4-1 and 4-2 normal procedure

Persons in charge: Martin Kastowski

Duration: 2004 – 2008

Summary

The expanded quantification of global carbon (C) storage in and release from lakes is intended to close the knowledge gap about the role of terrestrial systems for the global C cycle. The previously unknown sink in the global C-cycle and Europe's share in it are to be narrowed down further. For this purpose, new morphological, hydrophysical and -chemical data, especially about smaller lakes and artificial reservoirs, are to be evaluated on a European and later on a global scale. The result will be the most reliable possible quantification of the C of these biogeosystems stored and released into the atmosphere each year, as well as the atmospheric and geogenic proportions of this C. These results are important for understanding today's climate and for predicting it.