Dynamics of Biogens to Estimate Ecological State of Coastal Waters of Southern Baikal

Abstract

Abstract The issue of biogenic pollution of the coastal waters of Lake Baikal has been considered, an inventory of their sources performed, and an ecological estimation of the coast anthropogenic pollution factors given, which, in turn, indicate the increased content of biogens in coastal waters and, according to scholars, affect the growth of spirogyra (Spirogyra Link and Stigeoclonium Ktz). The studies performed have covered the southern coast of Lake Baikal from Kultuk Bay to Novosnezhnaya settlement since it is the most populated area with developed infrastructure, and the alluvial-accumulative coast has excellent beaches and good access roads to them. To estimate the biogen ingress, studies have been performed in the summer months (navigation season) and in March (ice period). The actual research results are represented in tabular and graphic material. The own research results have shown that the biogen content is rather significant; it is high during the ice period. The intake of domestic wastewater is supported by the high content of biogens in samples taken at the water’s edge also during the ice period. In summer, the biogen content in coastal waters may be higher than in the ice period, however, due to the navigation season currents, their concentrations are ‘washed out’.