The current ecological status of snow and ice on the west coast of Lake Baikal (on the example of the Goloustnoye settlements)

Abstract

During the winter period from 2015 to 2019, in the third decade of February and the first decade of March, snow and ice samples were taken from the area of the Goloustnoye municipal settlements located on the west coast of Lake Baikal, as well as from the adjacent water area of the lake (at a distance not exceeding 1000 m from the coast) and the Goloustnaya River. The sampling was carried out to give a modern ecological assessment of the state of the considered natural components and determine the relationship between the presence of pollutants and the level of human impact. Based on the data obtained, we constructed a map of the distribution of suspended solids, sulfates and heavy metals, such as manganese, copper, zinc, and lead, in the study area. The highest content of pollutants was determined in the samples of snow taken near settlements: the village of Bolshoye Goloustnoye and the village of Maloye Goloustnoye. Additionally, increased concentrations of suspended solids, sulfates, nitrites, ammonium, and manganese were found in the coastal area of Lake Baikal. At the same sampling sites, the pH values of meltwater corresponded to alkaline waters, which indicates anthropogenic pollution.

Trace Element Compositions and Water Quality Assessment in the Angara River Source (Baikal Region, Russia)

“…In contrast to the deep water of the bay, elevated Mn, Cu, Co, Al, Fe, and Zn concentrations, caused by the dissolution of rocks and soils during snowmelt and mechanical shore abrasion, were found in the lake's subglacial water [38]. Higher Mn, Pb, Zn, and Cu concentrations that exceed the maximum permissible concentrations and/or regional background values were determined in samples of meltwater of snow collected in the settlement [39]. The atmospheric air pollution of the Listvyanka settlement was found to relate to small boiler houses, furnace heating of residential buildings, and vehicle emissions [40].…”