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Protection of lake Ecological monitoring State environmental monitoring of Lake Baikal for the year 2015In the course of 2015 the Federal State Budget Institution Irkutsk UGMS (weather control and environmental monitoring service) carried out monitoring of Lake Baikal’s water quality in the following areas:
Southern Baikal – in the area of sewage influence from treatment facilities of Baykalsk Pulp and Paper Mill (BPPM) of Baykalsk town) closed in December 2013, (currently - KOS (wastewater treatment facility);
in the area of Angara River source and in port areas;
at baseline deep-sea stations of benchmark section, running along Lake Baikal in its Central part;
in the area of the Selenga Shallow Waters;
in Kultuk – Slyudyanka area;
North Baikal – in the area the Baikal–Amur Mainline route influence.
Area of influence of Baykalsk town KOS (wastewater treatment facilities) wastewaters
In the area of influence of wastewaters from Baykalsk town KOS (wastewater treatment facilities) the observations were carried out within an area of 250 km2. In the central part of the surveillance zone, in the area of the most active influence of wastewaters (site with the area of 35 km2) the water pollution by non-sulphate sulphur and heavy metals was investigated. In addition, observations were carried out in the monitoring section (100 m away from the deep release of wastewater treatment facilities). In order to conduct baseline hydrochemical assessment the samples were taken outside the wastewater influence zone in the southern part of the longitudinal benchmark section.
Commercial fishing standards MPC (maximum permissible concentration) served as the criterion for assessment of the water quality, while for non-sulphate sulphur the baseline value corresponding to its average concentration in the water of Lake Baikal (0.10 mg/dm3) was used as a basis. Assessment of water quality indicators of Lake Baikal in the control section was conducted in accordance with special MPC (maximum permissible concentration) standards, introduced in 1985 (developed by Roshydromet (Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring of Russia) for the control section of Baykalsk Pulp and Paper Mill), which correspond to the following values (mg/dm3):
mineral substances – 117;
suspended solids – 1.1;
sulphates – 10; chlorides – 2;
phenols – 0.001;
the pH value ranging from 6.5 to 8.5 pH units.
Three exploration surveys were performed on the water area of the lake – in March, in June and in September. Water samples were taken from the horizons 0-0.5 m, 25-50 m, 75-100 m, 200 m and from near-bottom horizon. Within the control 100-meter section, 7 surveys were carried out: in February, March, April, June, August, September and October. Water samples were collected on 5 verticals every 10m through the depth.
Analysis of the hydrochemical observations results within the area of 250 km2, showed that both average and maximum concentrations of tested indicators (mineral substances, silicon, phenols, oil products, sulphates, chlorides, lead, manganese, nickel, cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, aluminium, beryllium, chromium and mercury) didn’t exceed MPC (maximum permissible concentration).
During the survey period the average content of suspended solids within the water area of the tested site (mg/dm3) was ranging from 0.1 to 0.3; silicon - from 0.7 to 1.1; total sulphur from 1.5 to 2.1; non-sulphate sulphur from - 0.06 to 0.08; chlorides - from 0.5 to 1.0; the value of water colour index was fluctuating in the range of 5.3 – 5.7 degrees; the pH value of water was within the range from 7.6 to 7.8 units.
The average content of metals in the water of Lake Baikal fluctuated within the following limits (µg/dm3): lead - from 1.9 to 2.3; manganese - from 0.4 to 0.8; nickel - from 2.0 to 2.7; cadmium - from 0.3 to 0.5; iron - from 12.5 to 32.0; copper - from 0.4-0.8; zinc - from 2.6 to 5.3; cobalt - from 0.8 to 6.3; vanadium - 0.0 to 0.5; molybdenum - from 0.0 to 0.5; silver - 0.1 to 1.9; aluminium - from 6.6 to 17.2; beryllium - from 0.0 to 0.1; chrome - from 0.5 to 2.1; mercury - from 0.005 to 0.007.
Maximum concentrations of suspended solids (1.4 mg/dm3), oil products (0.01 mg/dm3), sulphates (9.4 mg/dm3), total sulphur (3.1 mg/dm3), non-sulphate sulphur (0.6 mg/dm3) chlorides (1.8 mg/dm3) were recorded in March; maximum concentrations of water colour index (26.0), nickel (4.7 mg/dm3), iron (95.4 µg/dm3), vanadium (0.5 µg/dm3), molybdenum (0.5 µg/dm3) were registered in June; maximum concentrations of cobalt (9.8 µg/dm3), chromium (8.1 µg/dm3), mercury (0.010 µg/dm3), manganese (2.9 g/dm3), cadmium (4.1 µg/dm3), copper (0.9 µg/dm3), silicon (1.3 mg/dm3), zinc (9.5 µg/dm3) as well as maximum values of lead (5.9 µg/dm3), silver (6,8 µg/dm3), aluminium (37.9 µg/dm3) and beryllium (0.3 µg/dm3) were observed in September.
Compared to the baseline monitoring stations, in the area of influence of the Baykalsk town KOS (wastewater treatment facilities) wastewater discharge the average concentrations of sulphates, lead and iron were 1.1 times higher; chromium - 1.2 times; silver - 1.3 times; silicon, copper - 1.5 times; suspended solids - 1.6 times, and cobalt indicator was 4.2 times higher. The average concentrations of pH value, mineral substances, oil products, total sulphur, chlorides, molybdenum, vanadium, zinc and mercury didn’t exceed baseline levels. The average values of concentrations of non-sulphate sulphur, water colour index, nickel and cadmium in the waters of the site were below the baseline level by 1.1 times; manganese, aluminium - by 1.2 times; beryllium – by 1.3 times.
The total area contaminated by compounds of non-sulphate sulphur amounted to 28.8 km2 in March, to 28.1 km2 in June, while in September it was 22.1 km2. The maximum concentration of non-sulphate sulphur in the area of contamination exceeded the permissible limit by 5.6 times in March, by 3.6 times in June and by 4.0 times in September. Similarly to previous years, the area of contamination remained open.
The monitoring of Lake Baikal’s water quality carried out in a 100-meter test section showed that in the course of 2015 the average concentrations of all the standardised indicators didn’t reach the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) levels while violations of water quality were observed with regard to the maximum concentrations of phenols (2-3 MPC). The range of pH values was within the permissible limits.
Compared to 2014, in the area of influence of Baykalsk town KOS (wastewater treatment facilities) wastewaters the average content of sulphates, non-sulphate sulphur, lead nickel, cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, aluminium and chromium increased by 1.1-2.0 times, while mercury concentration increased by 2.3 times in the water of Lake Baikal. The concentration of water colour index, chlorides, silicon and manganese decreased by 1.1-2.2 times. The average content of suspended solids, mineral substances, sulphates and average pH value hasn’t changed. The area of contamination by non-sulphate sulphur increased by 2.0 times.
Longitudinal section
At the baseline stations of the benchmark section of Lake Baikal water samples were taken in July, September, October and November from horizons of 0-0.5 m, 25 m, 50 m, 100 m and near-bottom horizon in the observation stations below: Bezymyannaya River, Marituy Station, Listvennychny Cape, Kadilny Cape, Krasny Yar Cape, Buguldeyka River (in the southern part of Lake Baikal), Oblom Cape, Ukhan Gremyachy Cape, HMS (Hydrometeorological Station) Uzur, HMS Ushkany, HMS Solnechnaya, Zavorotny Cape (in the middle part of lake), Davsha settlement, Kotelnikovsky Cape, Baykalsk settlement, Tyya River (northern part of Lake Baikal).
The results of hydrochemical observations showed that in the southern, middle and northern parts of Lake Baikal the average content of oxygen dissolved in the water, as well as mineral substances, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, non-volatile phenols, silicon, oil products, sulphates, chlorides, synthetic surface active substances, lead, manganese, nickel, cadmium, copper, zinc, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, aluminium, beryllium, chromium and pH values were within the permissible limits. No organochlorine pesticides (p,p-DDT (dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane), p,p-DDD (dichlorodiphenyldichloroethan), p,p-DDE (dichlorodiphenylethylene), α-HCH (alpha-hexachlorocyclohexane), γ-HCH (gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane) were detected in the water of Lake Baikal.
The maximum MPC excess values were recorded (in June) with regard to organic substances as per BOD5 (biochemical oxygen demand for 5 days) () by 1.1 times (within the boundaries of HMS Uzur, middle part of the lake) and copper by 1.1 times (Tyya River, northern part of the lake); phenols by 2.0 times in the southern part of Lake Baikal in the area of Listvennychny Cape (in September), in the area of Buguldeyka River (in October), in the area of Bezymyannaya River (in June); in the central part: HMS Uzur (in September and June), HMS Solnechnaya (in June); in the northern part: Baykalsk settlement (in October), Kotelnikovsky Cape (in June) and by 3.0 times in the southern part of Lake Baikal - in the area of Krasny Yar Cape (in September).
Compared to the previous survey (2014) the average content of lead, manganese, nickel, cadmium, zinc, silver, chromium, mercury and silicon, increased by 1.1 – 1.4 times in the southern part of Lake Baikal, while figures for vanadium and molybdenum increased by 1.7 times, for copper and beryllium – by 2.3 and 2.5 times respectively; concentrations of chlorides, nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, total phosphorus as well as organic substances as per BOD5 decreased by 1.1-1.7 times, while aluminium and suspended solids decreased by 2.0 times and organic phosphorus – by 2.4 times; the content of cobalt and organic substances as per COD (chemical oxygen demand), nitrite nitrogen, sulphates, oxygen dissolved in the water, mineral substances, the value of water colour index and the range of pH value has not changed.
In the central part of Lake Baikal, compared to the previous survey the content of organic substances under BOD5 increased by 1.1 times, while silver content increased by 1.2 times, molybdenum – by 1.7 times, copper and zinc – by 2.0 times, manganese – by 2.4 times and that of beryllium – by 2.9 times; concentrations of chlorides, silicon, mercury, aluminium and cobalt decreased by 1.1 – 1.4 times, suspended substances – by 2.2 times, nitrate nitrogen – by 2.5 times, total phosphorus – by 3.0 times and organic phosphorus by 9.0 times; the content of lead, nickel, cadmium, iron, vanadium, chromium, sulphate, nitrite nitrogen, organic substances as per COD (chemical oxygen demand), mineral substances, oxygen dissolved in the water and the range of pH value remained at the same level.
In the northern part of Lake Baikal, compared to the previous survey year the content of manganese, nickel, cadmium, iron, copper, zinc, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, nitrate nitrogen and organic substances as per COD increased by 1.2 – 1.8 times, mercury – by 2.0 times and beryllium – by 4.3 times; content of lead, cobalt, chromium, suspended solids, chlorides and value of the water colour index decreased by 1.1 – 1.4 times; the average content of aluminium, silicon, sulphate, nitrite nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, organic substances as per BOD5, mineral substances and the range of pH values remained at the level registered during the previous survey.
In 2015, at observation points Marituy Station, Listvyanka settlement, Krasny Yar Cape, M-II Uzur, M-II Solnechny, M-II B. Ushkany and Baykalskoye village the degree of Lake Baikal contamination was estimated in accordance with the universal integrated water impurity index (UIWII). According to UIWII assessment the water quality was characterised as 1st class, “conditionally clean” at all monitoring stations of Baikal Lake. In comparison with last year, the lake water quality remained at the same level.
North Baikal (area of Baikal–Amur Mainline route influence)
In the area of north Baikal samples were taken at the site with an area of 110 km2 (a narrow strip up to 1 km-wide along the shore of the lake running from the Tompa River in the east to Kotelnikovsky Cape in the west), in July and September, from horizons of 0-0.5 m, 25 m, 50 m, 100 m and near-bottom horizon. Both average and maximum concentrations of mineral substances, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, silicon, oil products, sulphates, chlorides, lead, manganese, nickel, cadmium, iron, zinc, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, silver, aluminium, beryllium, chromium and mercury didn’t exceed MPC. The maximum concentration of copper exceeded the maximum permissible concentration by 1.7 times. The content of oxygen dissolved in the water and the range of pH values was within the permissible limits.
Compared to the previous survey conducted in 2014, concentrations of iron, cobalt, lead, cadmium, vanadium, mercury, sulphates, chlorides in the lake water increased by 1.1 - 1.3 times, while that of nickel, molybdenum, aluminium and silicon - by 1.5 – 1.7 times and copper - by 3.2 times. The average content of manganese, zinc, silver and suspended solids decreased by 1.1 - 1.8 times, while chromium, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite nitrogen and total phosphorus decreased by 2.4 - 4.0 times and organic phosphorus - by 6.2 times. Content of mineral substances, nitrate nitrogen and range of pH values hasn’t changed.
Barguzin Bay
In the area of Barguzin Bay two surveys were carried out in 2015 (June and September); water samples were taken from 4 horizons (0-0. 5 m, 25-50 m, 75-100 m and 200 m). The results of observations showed that the average and maximum concentrations of mineral substances, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, silicon, oil products, sulphates, and chlorides didn’t exceed permissible standards. The content of oxygen dissolved in the water and the range of pH values were within permissible limits.
Compared to the previous survey conducted in 2014, the average content of silicon, sulphates and fluorides increased by 1.4 – 2.0 times, while that of nitrate nitrogen – by 3.0 times, and ammonia nitrogen by 4.0 times. The following values decreased: average content of nitrite nitrogen by 2.0 times, total phosphorus by 8.3 times, organic phosphorus by 19.0 times, oil products - from 0.1 mg/l to zero. The average content of oxygen dissolved in the water, mineral substances, organic carbon and pH value remained at the level registered during the previous survey.
Angara River source
In the area of Angara River source hydrochemical survey was carried out twice (in July and October). The results of monitoring showed that the average and maximum concentrations of mineral substances, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, silicon, oil products, sulphates, and chlorides didn’t exceed MPC limits. The range of pH values and concentration of oxygen dissolved in the water were within permissible limits.
Compared to the previous observation in September 2014, in the area of Angara River source average content of silicon, sulphates and total phosphorus increased by 1.1 - 1.7 times, phosphates – by 2.0 times, ammonia nitrogen – by 3.0 times; while concentrations of chlorides, suspended solids, nitrate nitrogen and organic phosphorus decreased by 1.1 – 1.5 times, the value of water colour index – by 1.6 times and oil products content from 0.002 mg/l to zero. The average concentration of mineral substances, the range of pH values and nitrite nitrogen content hasn’t changed.
Port areas
In 2015, the water areas of ports located in the south-eastern (Kultuk settlement, Baykalsk settlement, Vydrino village) and the south-western (B. Goloustnoye settlement, Baikal settlement) coasts of Lake Baikal were surveyed. Samples were taken only from the surface horizon of the lake, near Kultuk settlement and Baykalsk settlement – from March to August, in the area of Vydrino village – from May to September, in the area of B.Goloustnoye settlement – from March to September and in the area of Baikal settlement – in September.
During the entire survey period the average concentrations of regulated substances didn’t exceed MPC in the port water areas, the pH values were within the permissible range and only in the area of B. Goloustnoye settlement the phenol excess of MPC by 2.0 times was detected. Maximum excessive concentrations compared to permissible values were recorded with regard to volatile phenols: near Kultuk settlement - by 3.0 times (in March), near B. Goloustnoye settlement- by 2.0 - 4.0 times (in March, May, August and September); ammonia nitrogen in the area of Baykalsk settlement by 1.4% (in March).
The pH values of the lake water in port areas ranged from 7.18 pH units (March) to 8.88 units (May) in the area of Kultuk settlement. Average concentrations of sulphates in the lake water around port areas were ranging from 5.1 to 7.6 mg/dm3, chlorides – 0.6-2.5 mg/dm3, nitrite nitrogen – 0.001-0.003 mg/dm3, nitrate nitrogen – 0.012-0.133 mg/dm3, ammonium nitrogen – 0.001-0.027 mg/dm3, total nitrogen – 0.217-0.483 mg/dm3, phosphates – 0.002-0.008 mg/dm3, total phosphorus – 0.007 - 0.027 mg/dm3, silicon – 0.4-3.6 mg/dm3, oxygen dissolved in the water – 11.0-12.8 mg/dm3, organic carbon – 1.44-2.39 mg/dm3, suspended substances – 0.2-4.6 mg/dm3, oil products – 0.000-0.01 mg/dm3, phenols – 0.000-0.002 mg/dm3, while the value of water colour index was 4.6-7.9 degrees.
Maximum concentrations of total phosphorus, organic phosphorus, chlorides, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen and organic carbon were detected near Kultuk settlement; the highest content of silicon, phosphates and ammonia nitrogen was registered in the area of Baykalsk settlement; maximum concentrations of suspended solids, phenols, oil products, sulphates – in the lake water near B. Goloustnoye settlement; maximum value of water colour index was observed in the area of Vydrino settlement; minimum value of oxygen dissolved in the water was registered near Baikal settlement.
Kultuk – Slyudyanka area
Two surveys were carried out within the framework of hydrochemical assessment of Southern Baikal’s water in the area Kultuk – Slyudyanka in 2015 (June and October). Water samples were taken from 5 horizons (0-0.5 m, 25-50 m, 75-100 m, 200 m and near-bottom horizon). Both average and maximum concentrations of all monitored substances didn’t exceed permissible limits.
Compared to the previous survey (in 2014), content of silicon and sulphates increased by 1.2 – 1.4-times respectively, that of phosphates - by 3.5 times. Content of total and organic phosphorus, chlorides, nitrate nitrogen, and the value of water colour index decreased by 1.1 – 1.5 times, content of ammonia nitrogen decreased by 5.0 times and that of oil products from 0.01 mg/l to zero. The average concentration of mineral substances, nitrogen nitrite and the range of pH values hasn’t changed.
Selenga Shallow Waters
One survey was conducted in the area of the Selenga Shallow Waters in 2015 (in September); water samples were taken from the surface horizon (0-0.5 m). The results of observations showed that the average and maximum concentrations of mineral substances, nitrite nitrogen, nitrate nitrogen, ammonia nitrogen, phosphates, silicon, oil products, sulphates and chlorides didn’t exceed the standard. The content of oxygen dissolved in the water and the range of pH values were within permissible limits.
Compared to the previous survey conducted in September 2014, the average silicon content decreased by 1.8 times, while that of total and organic phosphorus decreased by 3.0 times, ammonia nitrogen by 3.5 times, the value of water colour index by 5.0 times, oxygen dissolved in the water by 1.1 times, nitrite nitrogen and phosphates from 0.002 mg/l to zero, while values of suspended solids decreased from 0.8 mg/l to zero and oil products - from 0.2 mg/l to zero. The average content of minerals, nitrate nitrogen, sulphates, chlorides, and pH value remained at the level registered during the previous survey.
In 2024, the Baikal Mile will be held from 6 to 8 June.
Taking part in the Baikal Mile is a great way to test your limits of possibilities and feel the breath of nature in one of the most beautiful places on earth.
In 2024, the festival of ice sculptures on Lake Baikal is scheduled for the period from February 15 to 28. During these two weeks, the lake shore will turn into a real open-air museum, where everyone will be able to enjoy sculptural masterpieces created from ice.
The portal has been created for FSBI ”Informational and Analytical Center for Development of Water Bodies and Associated Properties” under the special program “Protection of Lake Baikal and Socio-Economic Development of the Baikal Natural Preserve for 2012-2020.”
