Groundwater Hydrochemical Composition Indicators

within South Baikal District of the Republic of Buryatia

Notes: The values changes have been marked by the colors: yellow -- within 10%,

green -- a decrease by over 10%, orange -- an increase by over 10%.

The red color is used to make the values above MAC for drinkable waters (SanPiN 2.1.4.1074-01)

The Goryachinskoye field of the nitrogen-silicon therms in the crystal rocks (gneiss, gneiss-granites, granites) of Proterozoic, which water are used for balneology purposes (external application) and thermal supply of the resort facilities, used by the two dammed wells (spring and self-sustained well 1/76 with the depth of 100 m). The monitoring of thermal waters at this field is performed by the subsoil users in accordance with the license agreements for the debit of the exploitation facilities (well and spring), groundwater temperature and characteristic features of the groundwater composition.

Pitatelevskoye field of nitrogen-silicon therms, located in South Baikal Region (Itantsino-Selenginsky Mezozoic inter-mountain basin) and used up to 2001 by the seasonal therapy resort "Ilyinka", and Kotokel'skoye field of radon cold waters, developed in the metamorphic rocks of Archeozoic in Western Baikal Region, at a distance of 3.5 km from the main user ("Baikalsky Bor" Resort), are not currently being used.

Use of mineral water at the areas with unproven reserves The natural immersion sites of mineral waters and individual wells, opening up the mineral waters, are used by local smaller resorts or population as "unofficial" resorts. In particular, within the Baikal HMA these have been established on the basis of such thermal springs, as Kotelnikovsky, Frolikhinsky, Khakusy, Dzelingda, Buntovsky, Garginsky, Gusikhinsky, Kuchigersky, Umkheysky.

Within the Selenginsky HMA the population has used for medical treatment the cold radon waters of such springs, as Zagustaysky, Otobulag, Khorinsky, etc.

The Poperechnisky source of cold carbon dioxide water is the most popular one in the Daursky HMA.

Irkutsk Region

In the region, within the territory of the catchment area of the Baikal Lake, limited to the south by Khamar-Daban range, Olkhinsky plateau, Onotsky highland, Primorsky and Baikalsky ranges to the north-west, the groundwater is being generated in the area of exogenous fracturing area and tectonic breaks in the metamorphic and igneous rocks of Proterozoic and Archeozoic eras and sedimentary formation of Paleozoic era. The porous groundwater is widespread in the porous areas in the alluvial and lake sediments of the quaternary and neogenic age.

The natural resources of groundwater in aggregate are estimated at 2789 thou m3/day. The forecast useful resources amount to 820 thou m3/day. The resources potential of groundwater enables to completely tackle the issues relating to water supply to the population. For instance, the forecast resources of the groundwater, suitable for utilities and drinking needs in the Olkhonsky District, amount to 457.6 thou m3/day, which by 200 times higher than the needs in the drinking water. At the same time, based on the geological and economical rationale, it is still rational to use the water extraction points, including individual wells to enable water supply of smaller water consumers.

The vessel reserves of groundwater in the western and southern sections of the Baikal Lake basin across the rated water use areas across the area of 11.5 thou km3 amount to the water layer of 470 mm or 2.4347 km3.

In 2010, the overall volume of capacitive reserves amounted to 2.4409 km3 or 471 mm of the water layer. The changes in the capacitive reserves of the groundwater within the period from 1987 up to 2010 are described in the 2011 report.

Since 2011 the Irkutsk territory center GMGS, in accordance with the geological tasks for 2011-2013 from the Regional monitoring center in the Siberian Federal Distrct, has stopped the appraisal of the groundwater capacitive reserves within the Irkutsk Region.

Fresh Groundwater

Exploitation groundwater reserves As of 01.01.2013 there underwent the state region 12 drinking groundwater fields (13 areas) with the aggregate reserves of 34.34 thou m3/day in the Central Economic Area of the Baikal Natural Area. The increase in the number of fields took placed based on the figures of the proven reserves by the Territory Reserves Commission (0.6 thou m3/day) of the Kultusky Field (MPPV).

Groundwater Utilization In 2012, there were used 5 facilities -- Anastasievsky field, Angaro-Khutorskoye field, Shakhtersky section of Khamar-Dabansky field, Utulikskoye and Pribaikalskoye field with the aggregate water extraction of 2.99 thou m3/day (in 2011 – 2.54 thou m3/day; in 2010 – 2.76 thou m3/day). (in 2011 – 2.54 thou m3/day; in 2010 – 2.76 thou m3/day). The highest water extraction level took place at the Shakhtersky section of Damar-Dabansky field -- 2.9 thou m3/day (in 2011 -- 2.46 thou m3/day).

The aggregate groundwater extraction, including the water extraction with the unproven reserves, based on the water state accounting in 2012, amounted to 11.73 thou m3/day (in 2011 -- 9.9 thou m3/day), including 4.05 thou m3/day.   - at the protection water extraction point of BTsBK OJSC In 2012, the reporting was issued regarding the groundwater extraction across the 23 extraction points (in 2011 -- 25; in 2010 -- 41) out of the 81 recorded ones. The water was predominantly used for utilities and drinking needs of the population (7.68 thou m3/day).

The major groundwater consumers are Slyudyanka City -- 2.9 thou m3/day (2011 – 2.38 thou m3/day; in 2010 – 5.185 thou m3/day) and Baikalsk – 4.29 thou m3/day (in 2011 – 4.11 thou m3/day; in 2010 – 4.13 thou m3/day). The groundwater quality at the water extraction points mainly meets the requirements of the utilities and drinking water supply.

Groundwater Monitoring In the Irkutsk Region, within the Baikal Natural Area the groundwater monitoring was performed across the State Main Observation Network (SMON) and Local Facilities of Observation Networks (LFON).

Areas of stationary observation network for the groundwater conditions in the Irkutsk Region within the Central Economical Area of the Baikal Natural Area

SMON included 10 areas (16 wells). Out of those six wells operated in the natural mode (Slyudyanka, Talaya, Kultuk, Shara-Togot, Ongureny, Popovo) and four -- slightly non-compliant (Kharantsy, Buguldeyka) and non-compliant mode (Angarskye Khutora, Baikalsk). LFON was available across the utilities facilities in Slyudyanka City and Kultuk Settlement (field of solid household waste and treatment facilities), Kultusky shop of Irkutskterminal OJSC and Baikalsky TsBK OJSC. There are overall 37 wells in use.

Th observation points of SMON feature the mode of the crack water of the metamorphic rocks of Archeozoic and Proterozoic eras (Shara-Tagot, Popovo, Slyudyanka and Talaya), as well as groundwater of soft sediments of the Quarternary and neogenic era (Kharantsy, Buguldeyka, Onguren, Angarsky Khutora and Baikalsk).

Based on the monitoring in 2012, the positions of the average annual levels in the groundwater of Archeozoic and Proterozoic eras, Quarternary and neogen-Quarternary aquifer system, as in the previous year, was lower that the standard value by the value of up to 10-30% of the multi-year amplitude, and in some cases, close to the standard. The coefficients of the relative position of the level amounted to 0.2-0.4 and 0.4-0.6. The values of the minimum winter-spring and summer-autumn maximum levels of the groundwater were lower than average multi-year values up to 0.1-0.3 m.

The annual levels amplitude of the water in 2012 amounted to 0.2-1.4 m, and was lower than the average multi-year values by 0.4-0.9 m.

The groundwater temperature throughout the year fluctuated from 0.2-40C up to 6-8C. The minimum values were recorded in the end of winter and the beginning of spring, while the maximum ones -- in the summer.

The groundwater on the shore of the Baikal Lake in the Irkutsk Region were mainly in the natural conditions. Within the impact area of the rural area intended for building with no sewage in place on the shore of the Baikal Lake, there is a possibility for their pollution with nitrogen compounds. The groundwater pollution of the quaternary aquifer system, including with oil products, was identified in the Kultuskya oil base below the warehouse of light oil products. In 2012, their concentration was minimum within the overall control period and did not exceed 0.15 mg/l (in 2011 -- up to 0.38 mg/l, in 2010 -- up to 0.7 mg/l).

The environmental hazards are still present associated with thermal and chemical pollution of the groundwater across the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (industrial site, production shops, lignin landfill and communications network).

Mineral Water There are located 2 fields of mineral medicinal water within the Baikal Natural Area, having the following proven reserves:  Angarsky Khutora (chloride-hydrocarbonate natrium methane cold waters with the mineralization of 1.7-1.9 g/dm3 and elevated contents of fluorine, 0.023 thou m3/day) and Nikol'skoye (slightly radon fresh waters, 0.072 thou m3/day).

In 2012, Angaro-Khutorskoye and Nikolskoye fields of mineral medicinal waters with the aggregated reserves of 0.09501 thou m3/day were not exploited. No monitoring was performed for the above.

On the western shore of the Baikal Lake in the vicinity of the Onguren Settlement, there is information on the immersion of iron-radon waters. This spring must be additionally explored with the reserves identified.

Zabaykalsky Krai

The Baikal Natural Area within the Zabaykalsky Krai covers its western part and limited by the water watershed between the Oceans -- the Pacific Ocean (Amur basin) and the Arctic Ocean (Yenisey and Lena basins).

Based on the data of the hydrogeological districts identified within the Zabaykalsky Krai, performed by Chitageomonitoring GUP, the river network of the Baikal Lake basin -- two right tributaries of the Selenga River -- Khilok River and Chikoy River -- drain the groundwater of three complex hydrogeological basin -- Daursky-Argunsky (across its insignificant part), Hentei-Daursky (almost across the half of the hydrogeological structure) and Selengino-Daursky. 

Fresh Groundwater Forecast Exploitation Groundwater Resources The size of the forecast exploitation resources within the Baikal Natural Area amount to ca 1,121 thou m3/day. Across three administrative districts -- Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky, Khilosky and Kranochikoysky -- they amount to 1237.3 thou m3/day based on the estimates within Stage II of the works for "Appraisal of Provision of the Russian Federation population with groundwater resources for utilities and drinking water supply purposes" (Protocol of the Territory Reserves Commission in the Chita Region No. 707 dated 15.06.2000).

Exploitation groundwater reserves There were explored two groundwater fields within the Selengino-Daursky complex hydrogeological basin -- Yelanskoye (Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky district) and Gyrshelunskoye (Khiloksky district). The groundwater reserves for utilities and drinking water supply purposes at the first of the two areas amount to 27.4 thou m3/day, at the second -- 8 thou m3/day.

The water supply across other localities within the Baikal Natural Area shall be performed based on the unproven reserves via individual water extraction points.

In the Khiksky District, the aquifer of the modern alluvial deposits within the river valleys, currently used as a main source of water supply to Khilok City, is the second in significance and accounts for 22% of the groundwater, extracted within the basin.

There are no large water extraction points and explored groundwater field in the Krasnochikoysky District of the Zabaykalsky Krai, which is also included in the Baikal Natural Area. The water supply of the localities is mainly decentralized with the use of individual wells. In addition to Artesian wells, the water supply is provided using the wells and small driven wells that operate within the first from the surface aquifer. In addition to the groundwater, the water supply system widely uses the surface water of the Chikoy River and its tributaries.

In terms of chemical composition, there is a predominance of hydrocarbonate, less frequently sulphate-hydrocarbonate, magnum-calcium and natrium-magnum groundwater with the mineralization value of 130-230 mg/dm3, rarely 400-600 mg/dm3.

Groundwater Quality and Pollution Level Based on the tests results performed in 2012 by Zabaikalgeomonitoring GUP TTs across the water extraction facilities of Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky, Khilok Cities and Balyaga Settlement, the groundwater does not meet SanPin 2.1.4.1074-01 in terms of of the main indicators. 

In 2012, as in 2010-2011, MAC exceedance for the oil products across the water extraction points within the Baikal Natural Area in the Zabaykalsky Krai was not recorded.

There was earlier recorded groundwater contamination with oil products in the district of the oil base in Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky City, ZabZhD water extraction point in Khilok City. The concentration level of the oil products fluctuated within a wide range (from 0 up to 9.2 MAC) and has changed periodically.

The treatment facilities with industrial enterprises continue to have a negative impact on the groundwater quality, as well as the territory of the enterprises with the sewage network and chemicals warehouses and ill-provided sections of the villages. The nitrogen-containing components -- nitrates, nitrites and ammonia -- account for the majority of the pollutants.

Nitrogen-Containing Components Contamination Description

of water extractoin points at the Baikal Natural Area in the Zabaykalsky Krai in 2012

Due to the existing unfavorable conditions across the water extraction wells of Petrovsk-Zabaykalsky City, where across many wells at the city's territory there has been registered nitrate contamination, it is recommended to completely shift the utilities and drinking water supply to the Yelansky water extraction point, located outside the limits of the settlement. The nitrate contamination was registered altos across the individual wells of Khillok City. In this region there is also a need to develop the explored MPV areas.

Groundwater Monitoring The state groundwater monitoring (SGM) was performed up to 2005 within the Baikal Natural Area in the basin of the Khilok river, across the three stations: Zabaikalsky (6 observation wells near the estuary of the Khilok River);

- Yelansky (6 observation wells within the Yelansky water extraction point);

- Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky (5 wells in the city water extraction point).

In 2012, the observations were not performed at these points.

The groundwater dynamics in the near future within the Baikal Natural Area basin of the Chita River shall be characterized in the conditions of no non-compliance cases in the multi-year term by a decrease of the level almost across all hydrogeological subdivisions.  The trend in the levels decreased has continued since the beginning of the 1990s.

Mineral Water There is one field of the carbon dioxide mineral waters within the territory of the Baikal Natural Area, which is included within the valley of the Swarovski River (Chikoy River basin).   The Swarovski Resort (in the Krasnochikoysky District, at the distance of 100 km to the south from Khilok Station) was established on the basis of the same-name mineral springs. The water mineralization is at the level of 1.3-1.4 g/dm3, while the diluted carbon acid is of 2.7-2.8 g/dm3.

Until 1962 the overall daily water extraction did not exceed 45 m3/day. The calculation of the reserves was performed in 1966. The mineral water reserves amount to 120 m3/day for Category A, 50 m3/day -- for Category B. The resort is currently catering treatment services for ailments of cardiovascular and digestive systems. There is a process of filling the mineral waters.

Conclusions

1. In 2012, versus 2011 there have been identified no significant changes in the groundwater hydrosphere of the Baikal Natural Area.

2. The positions of the average annual levels of the groundwater were higher than in the previous year in the Republic of Buryatia. In 2012, there was seen an increase in the concentration of oil products in the Kabansky and Ulan-Ude intake points.

The non-compliance with the groundwater use requirements occur mainly at the territories of the industrial hubs, demonstrated by the groundwater pollution. The specially hazardous pollution sources continue to occur within the Ulad-Ude industrial hub, in particular, the settler of the locomotive and railway car repairs plant poses a threat of emergencies and oil bases and in its industrial districts in Steklozavod Settlement and Aviation Plant facilities.

3. The groundwater in the Irkutsk Region were mainly in the natural conditions. Within the impact area of the rural area intended for building with no sewage in place on the shore of the Baikal Lake, there is a possibility for their pollution with nitrogen compounds. The groundwater pollution of the quaternary aquifer system, including with oil products, was identified in the Kultuskya oil base below the warehouse of light oil products. In 2012, their concentration was minimum within the overall control period and did not exceed 0.15 mg/l (in 2011 -- up to 0.38 mg/l, in 2010 -- up to 0.7 mg/l). The environmental hazards are still present associated with thermal and chemical pollution of the groundwater across the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (industrial site, production shops, lignin landfill and communications network).

4. The Baikal Pulp and Paper Plant continues to pose the most serious pollution hazard for the groundwater, threatening the Baikal Lake waters, in the Central Economical Area of the Baikal Natural Area.

5. There is an increase in the tourist load and, particularly, placement of recreation facilities on the shores of the Baikal Lake. This requires appropriate hydrogeological controls for the groundwater conditions and sanitary controls for their quality in the use of the groundwater for water supply, including, accounting for specifics of the Baikal Region, radiological controls, both for the drinking waters, and locations of tourist resources and recreational facilities. There is a need in development of the target programme to develop the observation network, revise the existing and restoration of the deactivated observation points, in particular, in Northern Baikal Region (Severobaikalsk, Nizhneangarsk, Kholodnaya).

6. The groundwater in the Selenga River basin have taken the maximum man-inflicted load within the buffer ecological area of the Baikal Natural Area.  The main pollutant agents - closest to the Baikal Lake (at the distance of 50 km) Selenginsky Pulp and Paper Plant, industrial enterprises and city management system of Ulan-Ude City, Gusinoozersky Industrial Hub, as well as the Dzidinsky Tungsten and Molybdenum Plant.

7. In the Zabaykalsky Krai in the basin of the right tributary of the Selenga river -- Khilok River -- there is sustained the unfavorable situation at the water extraction wells of Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky City, where across many wells within the city territory there is nitrate contamination in excess of MAC for the water for utilities and drinking purposes. The Khilok River continues to feature unfavorable conditions at the water extraction wells of Petrovsk-Zabaikalsky City, where across many wells within the city territory there can be seen nitrate contamination, exceeding MAC for the water for utilities and drinking purposes. In this connection, there is a need to identify a substitution for the Yelansky water extraction point for utilities and drinking water supply, located outside the city limits.

There is also a need to complete exploration with reserves calculation in order ensure water supply to Khilok City, where there has also been identified nitrate contamination across the on-line water extraction wells.

8. In order to obtain objective information on the conditions of the underground hydrosphere across the Baikal Natural Area, provision of the high-quality drinking water to the population there is a need to restore and expand the state support observation network for the groundwater, which has stably decreased since the end of the 1990-s.

Recommendations

1. Within the Federal Target Programme "Protection of Baikal Lake and Social and Economical Development of the Baikal Natural Area within 2012-2020", performance of Measure No. 55 "Geological Additional Research and Monitoring of Ecological Conditions of Groundwater in the Baikal Natural Area" there shall be opened the observation stations for the ecological conditions of the groundwater, equipped with the modern automated complex; develop the programme to monitor the ecological conditions of the groundwater, prepare the maps of the groundwater conditions, set up the databases, prepare the correction sheets of the ecological conditions of the groundwater (Federal Agency on Subsoil Usage).

2. Continue to perform the researches and appraisal of the groundwater continued in the BTsBK region (Federal Agency on Subsoil Usage).

3. Perform the effectiveness appraisal of the on-line catchment water extraction facility and the observation network, as well as completeness and reliability of the information, provided by the monitoring services and information analytics laboratories (Federal Agency on Subsoil Usage).

4. Develop the programme of complex researches to study during the winter period of the groundwater unloading on the underwater slope of the Baikal Lake below the BTsBK industrial site based on the methodology, ensuring objective research into the unloading results (IZK SO RAN has the experience in performance of such works) (Federal Agency on Subsoil Usage).

Source: the materials of the state report on the conditions of the Baikal Lake and measures for its protection in 2012 of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Ecology of the Russian Federation.