Studies of the Dispersed Composition of Atmospheric Aerosol and Its Relationship with Small Gas Impurities in the Near-Water Layer of Lake Baikal Based on the Results of Ship Measurements in the Summer of 2020

Abstract

The atmosphere over Lake Baikal covers a vast area (31,500 square meters) and has more significant differences in the composition and variability of gaseous and aerosol components in atmospheric air than in coastal continental areas and is still a poorly studied object. In recent years, the anthropogenic impact on the ecosystem of Lake Baikal has been increasing due to the development of industry in the region, the expansion of tourist infrastructure and recreational areas of the coastal zone of the lake. In addition, one of the significant sources of atmospheric pollution in the Baikal region is the emissions of smoke aerosol and trace gases from forest fires, the number of which is increasing in the region. This article presents the results of experimental studies of the dispersed composition of aerosols and gas impurities, such as ozone, sulfur dioxide, and nitrogen oxides during route ship measurements in the water area of Lake Baikal in the summer of 2020.

Spatio-temporal variability of small gas impurities in the surface layer of the atmosphere of the southern Baikal region

“…In addition to state monitoring, scientific organizations are also making significant efforts to study the atmosphere over Baikal. Several studies 7,8 investigated the distribution of small gas impurities and performed a quantitative assessment of the content of SO2, NO, NO2, CO, PM10, and O3 in the atmosphere over Baikal. The results of these studies have shown that the Southern Baikal basin is the area most affected by atmospheric pollution.…”

Measurements of aerosol particle concentrations in the atmosphere of the south-eastern coast of Lake Baikal (at Boyarsky station) in the summer of 2020

“…The balance of the particles number in the atmosphere depends on the process of new particle formation (NPF), and also effects the formation of clouds and climate [33]. As a result, the temporal changes of the aerosol-forming gases are of interest as an indicator of the aerosol formation processes [42].…”

Experimental Studies of Aerosol and Gas Admixtures in the Near-Water Layer of the Atmosphere of Lake Baikal (Ship-Based Expedition, September 2021)

“…The observations of the atmospheric pollution level in the Baikal basin and adjoining territories in 2018–2020 reliably indicated increased atmospheric pollution due to large smoke loading; its sources are large-scale forest fires in the north of Irkutsk oblast, Krasnoyarsk krai, and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), which also resulted in the increased contents of gas and aerosol admixtures [ 5 , 6 ].…”