Environmental monitoring of Lake Baikal

Hydro-chemical characteristic of Lake Baikal water
General hydro-chemical characteristic of Lake Baikal water
MPC (maximum permissible concentration):
pH value - 6,5-8,5 units pH;
water colour index - 20 degrees of water colour;
oxygen - not less than 4 mg/l
Mineral content of Lake Baikal water
MPC (maximum permissible concentration): mineral content - 1000 mg/l.
Dynamics of sulphate ions
MPC (maximum permissible concentration): sulphates - 100 mg/l.

The hydro-chemical observations along the longitudinal section of the water area of the lake were performed on all monitored levels (0.5, 25, 50, 100 metres and near-bottom water). General hydro-chemical characteristic of the lake water in 2017 is given on the chart and graphs above.

General hydro-chemical characteristic of the lake water in 2015-2017 is given on the chart and graphs above. Since the observations during these years were conducted in June – October, there were certain fluctuations of water temperature (2015: 7.40 – 11.20 °С ; 2016: 7.00 – 9.10; 2017 г.: 3,0– 13,2°С) and water colour index (2015: 7.9 – 11.0; 2016: 5.6 – 11.2 ; 2017 г.: 2 - 24 ). The pH values remained within the range between 7.2 and 8.3 units and the content of oxygen dissolved in the water was between 10.5 – 12.8 mg/l.

In 2017 in the middle and northern Baikal, the increased mineralization of water retained at level of 97 mg / l. Due to earthquakes occurred in 2016–2017 in the middle Baikal area water mineralization increased. In the southern Baikal, it retained at level of 2016, i.e. 96 mg / l.

The concentration of sulphate ions in 2017 were elevated only in the middle Baikal (5.9 mg / l). For the period of observations from 2015 to 2017. High content of sulphate ions in all Lake Baikal basins was noted only in 2016. In June 2016, the maximum concentrations of sulphates in the middle Baikal within 7.3 to 9.2 mg/l have been recorded.

Source: a review of the status and pollution of environment in Russian Federation in 2017