Description
Return depth overlap and union lengths of two water layers.
Waterbody volume and sampling support depend on depth orientation, layer geometry and interval overlap. A representative layer or covered depth can be summarized without recovering bathymetry or establishing representative ecological sampling. Unique covered thickness differs from the full span between distant intervals.
Return depth overlap and union lengths of two water layers.
When to use this tool
Use Water Column Layer Overlap when checking the stated waterbody geometry, layer volume or sampling-support convention.
How to use the tool and how it works
- Enter firstTop, firstBottom, secondTop, secondBottom. Use the units and conventions below.
- Run the tool. Correct any format, range, or cross-field input error before interpreting the output.
- Read overlapDepth, unionDepth. Use the output convention below.
Return depth overlap and union lengths of two water layers. Require ordered endpoints; overlap is the nonnegative interval intersection width, union sums both thicknesses minus overlap.1
| Input field | Meaning and units | Accepted input |
|---|---|---|
| firstTop | First Top | Required. Finite number. |
| firstBottom | First Bottom | Required. Finite number. |
| secondTop | Second Top | Required. Finite number. |
| secondBottom | Second Bottom | Required. Finite number. |
| Output field | Interpretation | Returned shape |
|---|---|---|
| overlapDepth | Overlap Depth | Required. Finite number. |
| unionDepth | Total depth covered by either interval, excluding gaps between disjoint layers. | Required. Finite number. |
{
"input": {
"firstTop": 0,
"firstBottom": 10,
"secondTop": 5,
"secondBottom": 15
},
"output": {
"overlapDepth": 5,
"unionDepth": 15
}
}Limitations and assumptions
- UnionDepth counts covered thickness and excludes any gap between disjoint layers; no physical volume or full water-column coverage is inferred.
- Inputs must satisfy both the field types and the cross-field conditions above. Invalid input causes an error; a successful false flag or documented placeholder is a different result.
- Numeric calculations use binary floating point unless exact decimal-integer arithmetic is explicitly stated. No hidden measurement tolerance or decimal rounding is added; nonfinite or out-of-contract results are rejected. Numeric signed-zero results are exported as zero.
Alternative or Complementary methods
Use verified bathymetry and sampling records with an appropriate complete spatial model for whole-waterbody quantities or ecological conclusions.
References
Similar or alternative tools
- Lake Layer Overlap Volume Term
Return union layer volume and unrepresented lake volume.
- Waterbody Volume Layer Contribution
Return one trapezoidal waterbody-layer volume.