Lake Baikal - legends, natural phenomena, anomalies, interesting facts. Where is Lake Baikal located?

In the south of Eastern Siberia, where the Irkutsk region borders Buryatia, lies one of the seven wonders of the world - the largest and deepest freshwater body of water in the world - Lake Baikal. Local residents are accustomed to calling it the sea, because the opposite shore is often out of sight. This is the largest fresh water reservoir on the planet with an area of ​​more than 31 thousand km², which would completely fit the Netherlands and Belgium, and the maximum depth of Lake Baikal is 1642 m.

Record-breaking lake

The crescent-shaped reservoir has a record length of 620 km, and the width in different places ranges from 24-79 km. The lake lies in a basin of tectonic origin, so its relief bottom is very deep - 1176 m below the level of the World Ocean, and the water surface rises 456 m above it. The average depth is 745 m. The bottom is extremely picturesque - various banks, in other words, ancient shallows, terraces, caves, reefs and canyons, plumes, ridges and plains. It consists of a wide variety of natural materials, including limestone and marble.

The depth of Lake Baikal is indicated above; according to this indicator, it is in first place on the planet. The African Tanganyika (1470 m) ranks second, and the Caspian (1025 m) closes the top three. The depth of the remaining reservoirs is less than 1000 m. Baikal is a reservoir of fresh water, this is 20% of the world's reserves and 90% of Russia's. Its tonnage is greater than that of the entire system of the five Great Lakes of the United States - Huron, Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Superior.

But the largest lake in Europe is still considered not Baikal (it is in 7th place in the world ranking), but Ladoga, which occupies 17,100 km². Some people try to compare the famous fresh water bodies in Russia and are interested in which lake is deeper - Baikal or Ladoga, although there is nothing to think about, since the average depth of Ladoga is only 50 m.

Interesting fact: Baikal receives 336 large and small rivers, but releases only one - the beautiful Angara.

Famous Baikal water

Lake water was deified by ancient tribes, they were treated with it and idolized it. It has been proven that Baikal water has unique properties - it is saturated with oxygen and practically distilled, and due to the presence of various microorganisms it is devoid of minerals. It is famous for its exceptional transparency, especially in spring, when stones lying at a depth of 40 meters are visible from the surface. But in the summer, during the “blooming” period, transparency decreases to 10. The waters of Lake Baikal are changeable: they shimmer from deep blue to rich green; these are the smallest life forms that develop and give the reservoir new shades.

Baikal depth indicators

In 1960, researchers measured the depth near capes Izhemey and Khara-Khushun with a cable line and documented the deepest place of Lake Baikal - 1620 m. Two decades later, in 1983, the expedition of A. Sulimanov and L. Kolotilo corrected the indicators in this area using echo sounding measurements and recorded new data - the deepest point was at a depth of 1642 m. Another 20 years later, in 2002, an international expedition under the auspices of a joint project of Russia, Spain and Belgium worked to create a modern bathymetric map of Baikal and confirmed the latest measurements using acoustic sounding of the bottom .

The unique reservoir has always attracted increased attention from scientists and researchers, who have organized new expeditions in order to clarify previous depth measurements in different parts of the reservoir. Thus, in 2008-2010, expeditions of the GOA “Mir” organized about 200 dives throughout the entire water area of ​​​​this fresh sea. Prominent politicians and businessmen, journalists, athletes and hydronauts from Western and Eastern Europe and Russia took part in them.

Where are the deepest places of Baikal

Since the bottom of the reservoir is dotted with faults, the depth of the lake in different parts of the water area differs:

  • the deepest breaks in the earth's crust lie along the western shores;
  • in the southern part, the record depth of the depression between the mouths of the Pereemnaya and Mishikha rivers was recorded at 1432 m;
  • in the north, the deepest place is located between capes Elokhin and Pokoiniki - 890 m;
  • depressions in the Small Sea - up to 259 m, their location is at the Great Olkhon Gate;
  • the greatest depth of Lake Baikal in the Barguzin Bay area reaches 1284 m, this point is located off the southern shores of the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula.

Video: interesting film about Lake Baikal

The unique ecosystem attracts scientists and researchers from different countries. Thousands of tourists travel to the deepest lake in the world to enjoy the splendor of the landscapes, landscapes that cannot be found anywhere else. The limitless variety of flora and fauna of the region, among which are mainly endemic (found only here), complements the wealth given to people by nature.

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- the greatest on our planet. It is inextricably linked with Russia and is one of its symbols. Located near the center of Asia, Lake Baikal is known far beyond the borders of this continent.

The Baikal basin was formed by tectonic processes: the lake lies in a deep depression, surrounded on all sides by mountain ranges. - the oldest lake on Earth. It is about 25 million years old. During all this time, the shores of Baikal have diverged at an average speed of 2 cm per year, and in the distant future Baikal may turn into a real ocean. Baikal is the deepest lake on Earth. Its maximum depth is 1620 meters. This allows Baikal, with a relatively small surface area (31,500 km2), to contain 20% of the world's fresh water reserves: 23 thousand km3. All five Great Lakes of North America combined – Superior, Michigan, Erie, Ontario and Huron – contain approximately the same amount. In order to fill the empty basin of Lake Baikal, it would require the volume of water that all the rivers of the planet bring into the world ocean in 300 days. And the other “Great Giant,” the Amazon River, would have needed to feed Baikal for four years.

336 rivers flow into the lake, but the main role in the water balance of the lake is played by Selenga, introducing 50% of the annual water influx into the basin. At the same time, the lake gives life to only one river - Hangar, on which the dam of the Irkutsk hydroelectric power station was built in 1959, increasing the water level in Lake Baikal by a meter. It is on the Angara, which is called the “daughter of Baikal,” that the largest reservoir on our planet, Bratsk, with a volume of 169.3 km 3, was created. The water in Baikal is dark blue and so clear that in June, when transparency reaches its maximum, depths of forty meters can be observed with the naked eye. It is curious that the water in the lake is fresher than the water of the rivers flowing into it, and its mineralization decreases with depth. Scientists have put forward a hypothesis about the existence of a permanent powerful super-fresh source at the bottom of Lake Baikal. So far it has not been proven or disproved.

Water exchange of Lake Baikal

Speaking about exceptional purity, we should mention one of its inhabitants, thanks to which the water from the lake can be safely drunk without any additional purification. This is a tiny crustacean epishura, which is one of the endemics of the lake (that is, it is not found anywhere except Baikal). It is this crustacean that repeatedly passes the waters of the lake through itself and purifies them. Epishura is not the only Baikal endemic. Two thirds of the lake’s flora and fauna live only in Baikal. The most famous are the Baikal seal, the Baikal omul, the Baikal seal, some species of gobies, as well as the viviparous fish golomyanka. In total, the lake is home to 2.6 thousand species and varieties of plants and animals.

Ecology of Lake Baikal

In the 20th century, the unique world of the lake faced a problem that threatened the continued existence of nature. In the early 60s of the 20th century, construction of the Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill (PPM) began on the southern shore of the lake. In this regard, a discussion immediately developed. Scientific expeditions were sent to the Baikal region, the purpose of which was to find out how the plant’s negative environmental activities affect the unique nature of the lake. Newspapers actively discussed the possibility of creating “clean” technologies for pulp and paper production. The problem was reflected even in art: in 1970, director S. A. Gerasimov made the film “ At a lake“, the heroes of which are looking for a compromise between the need to create a plant and the desire to preserve Baikal. Despite harsh criticism, the pulp and paper mill was built and put into operation in 1966. Its wastewater, as well as the wastewater from the pulp and cardboard mill (CPM) on the Selenge River, contains large quantities of toxic phenols, chlorides, sulfates and suspended matter.

Baikal Pulp and Paper Mill

As a result, back in 1994, in the area of ​​the Baikal pulp and paper mill, the water pollution zone spread to 10 km 2, and the area of ​​the contaminated bottom area was 70 km 2. The Selenga River, which plays a crucial role in the water balance of the lake, also brings runoff from the city of Ulan-Ude into its basin. An increased concentration of phenols was found in its waters, and the content of petroleum products exceeds the MPC (maximum permissible concentration) by 3 to 15 times. The forces of the lake are still coping with the misfortunes that have befallen, but Baikal’s resources are not unlimited, and if nothing is done, sooner or later they will run out. Then the life of the lake, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List, will be in danger, and it is possible that, many years later, our descendants, coming out to the water surface

Baikal is one of the wonders of Russia. The depth of Lake Baikal is a record. The next African lake, Tanganyika, has a depth of 200 meters less. The reservoir is popular among tourists and researchers. Until now, the secrets of Lake Baikal have not been fully revealed and excite scientists.

Where is

Located almost in the center of Eurasia, in Western Siberia, on the border of the Irkutsk region and the Buryat Republic, Baikal has the shape of a huge crescent. In area it is equal to the Netherlands, Belgium or Denmark. Surrounded by mountains and hills, the reservoir occupies a huge pit. A very interesting question is how deep Lake Baikal is. We'll talk about this later, but now we'll describe the coastline. In the eastern part it is relatively flat, the mountains are tens of kilometers away. The western shore of the lake is mountainous.

The area where Lake Baikal is located is seismically active. Earthquakes of small magnitude occur regularly; there are also strong ones, the echoes of which are felt even in Irkutsk. Thus, in the second half of the 19th century, an earthquake with a magnitude of 10 occurred. As a result, an area of ​​land of 200 square meters was flooded. km, where 1300 people lived. Strong tremors were noted in 1959 (9 points), in 2008 (9 points) and 2010 (6 points).

History of the lake and its name

For a long time it was believed that Baikal is 25-30 million years old. But recent studies of the topography of the lake bottom with its mud volcanoes have shown that it is up to 150 thousand years old. In this regard, Baikal is also unique, because the average age of lakes of similar origin is 10-15 thousand years.

The rift basin in which Baikal is located is similar in structure to the Dead Sea basin. Its depth is the depth of Lake Baikal. Scientists have different opinions on the formation of the basin.

There are 3 versions:

  1. The depression is the result of a transform fault.
  2. The depression arose as a result of the action of a hot mantle flow located under the lake.
  3. The depression was formed as a result of minor collisions between the Hindustan and the Eurasian plate.

It is obvious that as a result of seismic activity, the topography of the bottom of Lake Baikal is changing and is still subsiding.

The origin of the name of the lake is unclear, but all four points of view reflect the greatness of the reservoir and indirectly indicate the depth of Baikal: Japanese - “great water”, Turkic - “rich lake”, Mongolian - “rich fire” and Chinese - “northern sea” . In our country, the modern name began to be used in the 17th century, it was borrowed from the Buryats (Beighel): in the Russian language the word was assimilated and the usual pronunciation was established - Baikal.

Landscape and climate features

The record depth of Lake Baikal and the vast area of ​​the watershed determine the local climate. Mild winters, but fairly cool summers, long autumns and long springs - these are the climatic characteristics of the areas adjacent to the lake. Also, the weather of Baikal is influenced by local specific winds, such as Barguzin or Kultuk. Due to the current winds, Baikal is considered one of the most restless lakes in the world.

Another remarkable property of the climate is mirages, which appear up to 7 times a year and last for 5-6 hours. They arise due to the difference in air temperature on the surface of the water and the space above it. Mirages occur due to the refraction of rays. Landscape objects can be visually raised above the surface of the water so that the horizon is visible. Another type of mirages is when natural objects that are thousands of kilometers distant optically come closer.

Waters of Baikal: features and currents

Since ancient times, the water of the lake has fascinated local residents: they worshiped it and used it for treatment. It is saturated with oxygen, close in composition to distilled water, and due to the action of microorganisms it is practically devoid of minerals. The volume of Baikal water makes up 90% of Russia's fresh water reserves and 20% of the world's. For comparison, there is more water in our great lake than in the 5 largest American lakes combined.

The transparency of Baikal water is surprising: visibility reaches 40 meters. True, this figure can drop to 10 meters during the flowering period of plants. Depending on the time of year and the activity of plants and microorganisms, Baikal water changes its color from bright blue in cold weather to green in summer and autumn.

Baikal is saturated with 336 rivers and streams that constantly flow into it. Turka, Snezhnaya, Upper Angara, Sarma are the largest of them. The Angara is the only river flowing from Lake Baikal.

Depth indicators

What is the depth of Lake Baikal? It is determined by the origin and parameters of the depression in which the lake is located. The last depth studies were carried out in 1983, they were confirmed in 2002. The lake is mesmerizing: with an average of 730 meters, the maximum depth of Baikal is 1630 meters. There are two more lakes on Earth that have a depth of more than 1000 meters: Tanganyika and the Caspian Sea. Moreover, in the latter the water is salty, not fresh. Even the average depth of Baikal is amazing - few lakes on Earth can boast a value of 730 meters.

There are currents on the surface of Lake Baikal, encircling its shores and the largest islands. In certain places (the western coast of the Small Sea) the current is quite strong, so even in calm weather the ships drift. The decrease in the intensity of water movement is influenced by the depth of Lake Baikal in a given place and the distance from the coastline.

Flora and fauna

Baikal is unique for its flora and fauna: two thirds of animal representatives live exclusively here. Oxygenated water provides a favorable environment for species to reproduce. Scientists have discovered only 70% of the fauna of Lake Baikal. The basis of the lake's food chain is made up of epishura crustaceans; in addition, they perform an important function of purifying water - passing it through themselves. The Baikal fauna includes 56 species of fish. Among them, a unique species is the golomyanka. The fish is interesting because it does not lay eggs, but gives birth to live fry. The golomyanka consists of 43% fat; in search of food, it migrates from great depths to shallow ones.

The seal is the only mammal that lives on Lake Baikal.

Among the flora, sponges can be noted, which grow at great depths and are the oldest inhabitants of Lake Baikal.

The uniqueness of the lake is recognized throughout the world. Not only the depth of Lake Baikal is taken into account, but also its unique ecosystem. The climate and geographical features of the lake attract tourists and scientists from all over the world.

Lake Baikal is a unique and amazing creation of nature. Its beauty, grandeur and clear depth of water captivate at first sight.

Because of its endless expanses, Siberians call the deepest lake on the planet a sea. Baikal was recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996.

Several figures characterizing Baikal

The history of Lake Baikal begins 25–30 million years ago. The water basin of the lake was formed under the influence of tectonic processes. In the vicinity of Lake Baikal, earthquakes periodically occur and thermal springs gush out. Natural transformations are still taking place in the lake. Every year it increases by 2 centimeters in width.

The location of Baikal on the map of Russia is the southern part of Eastern Siberia. The territory of the lake is crossed by the borders of the Republic of Buryatia and the Irkutsk region. If you look at Baikal from space, it will look like a depression in the shape of a young moon, located in the very center of Asia.

The length of the lake is 620 km. The width is 24 km at the narrowest point, 79 km at the widest. And the water surface area is 31,722 km², which puts Baikal in seventh place in the world among the largest lakes.

The bottom of the lake is 1167 m below ocean level, and the surface of its waters is 455.5 m above.

According to the most recent studies, the maximum depth of the lake is 1642 m, which makes Baikal the deepest lake in the world. And the volume of water in the lake is simply gigantic - 23615.39 km³. Baikal contains 1/5 and 9/10 of Russian freshwater reserves. There are 27 islands in the waters of Lake Baikal. About 336 permanent rivers feed the lake with their water, and only one flows out - the large Angara River.

Natural uniqueness

Baikal water is unique, like the lake itself. Its transparency reaches 40 m and decreases slightly with the onset of algal blooms. The transparency of the water is explained by the fact that it is very slightly mineralized, contains a lot of oxygen and has the properties of distilled water.

Despite the fact that a continental climate predominates in Eastern Siberia, the weather on Lake Baikal is significantly different from other areas. This is explained by the fact that the lake basin is surrounded by ridges, covered with forest along the entire coast. Thanks to this protective barrier, the lake has its own unique microclimate. The temperature difference reaches 10 degrees. Baikal is cooler in summer and warmer in winter than in nearby cities and towns. The depth of the water does not allow the lake to warm up much, which is why evaporation is insignificant, so there are not many clouds here. As a result, the sun shines over Lake Baikal most of the time.

Flora and fauna

Ancient origins, geographical features and unique climate contributed to the development of a wide variety of plants and animals on Lake Baikal. Siberian scientists count 2,630 species of fauna and flora in the lake, 84% of which are endemic, that is, found only on Lake Baikal.

Coastal nature

The flora of the lake coast is rich and varied. More than 2,000 plant species grow here, some of which are striking in their originality:

  • Siberian cedar, the famous Siberian pine, Siberian larch - known for their healing powers;
  • Daurian rhododendron is a plant of rare beauty from the heather family;
  • the famous walking or walking trees are another miracle of Lake Baikal. The trunks and roots of the trees are raised above the ground to a height of up to 3 m, and it seems that they are standing on stilts.

The coastal forests of Lake Baikal are home to many mammals: bears, lynxes, wolverines, wapiti, the famous Barguzin sable and other animals of northern latitudes. And on the shores of Lake Baikal you can meet the smallest deer in the world - musk deer.

The aquatic flora of Lake Baikal is represented by a wide variety of algae, as well as flowering and bryophyte plants, of which 79 species have been identified. The underwater flora plays an important function in the life of the lake. Its thickets are a place of concentration of zooplankton, feeding and breeding of fish. Growing around the circumference of the reservoir, they create a kind of filter and prevent pollutants from entering the lake. Aquatic plants accelerate the process of self-purification of water from oil products, and some of them are capable of absorbing radioactive isotopes.

Animal world

The aquatic fauna of Lake Baikal is surprisingly rich and diverse. About 2,600 representatives of aquatic fauna live in the depths of the lake. Almost 1000 of them are endemic. This diversity is explained by the fact that Baikal water has a high oxygen content. The lake is home to 27 species of fish that are found nowhere else in the world. The most famous of them:

  • Baikal sturgeon;
  • Baikal omul;
  • Golomyanka is a viviparous fish. It consists of 35% fat and lives at great depths.

Unique invertebrates

The most numerous group of the living world of Baikal are invertebrates. The lake is also home to all kinds of freshwater mollusks, shell crustaceans and oligochaetes. A special place in the aquatic environment of Lake Baikal is occupied by the epishura crustacean, which is also found nowhere else in the world. This amazing little creature, measuring 1.5 millimeters in size, plays a vital role in the Baikal ecosystem. Epishura, passing Baikal water through itself, filters and purifies it. Thanks to her, Baikal has such clean water. In addition, the crustacean is the main biomass of the lake’s zooplankton and plays a significant role in the food chain of the reservoir.

Another miracle of Lake Baikal is the unique Baikal seal, which lives in fresh water (seals, as a rule, live only in seas and oceans).

This is the only mammal in the lake.

According to scientists, the Baikal seal entered the lake during the Ice Age. She is under state protection.

Ecology

As in other parts of the planet, environmental problems have not escaped Baikal. For centuries, people have been using the riches of Lake Baikal: extracting furs, fishing, harvesting berries, pine nuts, and cutting down forests. Due to thoughtless use, Baikal’s natural resources simply do not have time to recover.

In addition to the depletion of natural resources, there is As the world's water reserves decrease, the huge fresh water reservoir of Lake Baikal is becoming increasingly important worldwide. There are several sources of harmful effects on the lake’s aquatic environment:

  • Seven settlements have settled on the shores of Lake Baikal without wastewater treatment facilities;
  • water transport leaves fuel oil waste in the water;
  • numerous tourists contribute in the form of an endless stream of garbage;
  • The Baikal pulp and paper mill caused significant damage to the Baikal ecosystem. In December 2013, by decision of the Russian government, it was closed;
  • The Selenga River carries its dirty waters into the crystal clear water of the lake. Its path begins in Mongolia and flows past large cities, which pollute the water.
The self-cleaning ecosystem of the lake is currently coping with the waste that gets into it, but if this trend continues, it will no longer be able to restore itself in the future.

Security measures

Throughout the twentieth century, some efforts were made to preserve Baikal: the fight against poaching, illegal logging, and laws were adopted to protect the Baikal region. Nature reserves and national parks appeared in the Baikal region. In 1916, the first Barguzinsky Nature Reserve was created. To the best of our ability, scientific research was carried out to protect the Baikal nature.

A turning point in the conservation of the unique lake occurred when it received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site on December 5, 1996. Russia was subject to obligations to preserve its unique ecosystem. Currently, a lot of work is being done to protect the Baikal nature:

  • About 97 organizations are involved in the problems of Lake Baikal, 400 dissertations have been written on the topic of protecting the lake;
  • 3 institutes are responsible for monitoring the condition of Lake Baikal;
  • Numerous environmental societies and environmental organizations have joined in the important work to protect this unique corner of nature;
  • in 2012, the federal program “Protection of Lake Baikal and socio-economic development of the Baikal natural territory for 2012–2020” was created.

The unique ecosystem of Baikal, the richest sources of resources of the Baikal flora and fauna, the beauty of its vast expanses are simply vital to preserve and protect.

Very informative article. I didn’t even suspect that there could be something unique in Russia. I was struck by the fact that the temperature on the lake differs from nearby areas by as much as ten degrees! It turns out that you can go there to cool off in the summer and warm up in the winter. Now I will definitely visit this lake, because it amazes everyone. I want to see the transparency of the waters with my own eyes.

Olkhon Island on Lake Baikal (Jason Rogers / flickr.com) Olkhon Island, Baikal (Jason Rogers / flickr.com) Olkhon Island (Jason Rogers / flickr.com) Jason Rogers / flickr.com Sergey Gabdurakhmanov / flickr.com Martin Lopatka / flickr .com Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com Water surface of Baikal (Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com) Sergey Gabdurakhmanov / flickr.com Khoboy Cape, Olkhon (Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com) Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com White sturgeon (Heaven Ice Day / flickr.com) Heaven Ice Day / flickr.com LA638 / flickr.com

There are many places on earth that amaze with their beauty and uniqueness. Lake Baikal is one of these. This rich reservoir embodies all the ideas of primordial nature. It can be calm when there is calm on its surface, or it can be fierce and cruel when a storm breaks out.

When asking the question of what attracts attention to Baikal, the answer is quite simple. The geographical characteristics of the giant reservoir attract tourists from thousands of kilometers away.

The water surface of Lake Baikal (Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com)

The greatest depth of Lake Baikal is impressive. The maximum depth point of the lake is located from the surface of the water at a distance of 1642 meters.

This indicator brings Baikal to a leading position among lakes on the planet. Following the Russian Baikal, African Tanganyika is in a significant gap. The difference between the maximum depths of these majestic reservoirs is about 160 meters.

The average depth over the entire lake area also deserves attention. Most of Baikal has a depth of about 730 meters. As for the area of ​​this reservoir, here, for understanding, we can give an example of the area of ​​Belgium or Denmark. Equating the size of the lake to the territory of one of these countries, one can only imagine its boundless expanses.

Olkhon Island (Jason Rogers / flickr.com)

The reason for the incredible depth and length of Lake Baikal is the countless number of rivers and streams flowing into it. There are more than 300 of them: large and small streams and full-flowing powerful river streams. Despite the fact that only the Angara takes its source from the lake.

It is worth noting that Lake Baikal is considered the world's largest natural reservoir of clean fresh water. Its volumes exceed even the famous American Great Lakes. If you add up the volumes of Michigan, Erie, Huron, Ontario and Lake Superior, their sum will still not reach equality with the capacity of Lake Baikal, which is over 23,600 cubic kilometers.

The enormous depth, impressive expanses of the reservoir, the length and width of the mirror-like surface are the reason why residents often call Baikal the sea. Located in the southeast of Eurasia, the powerful lake is famous for storms and tides (similar to sea tides).

Why is the lake called Baikal?

The history of the name of the lake is associated with several legends known to the local people. According to the first version, translated from Turkic it means “rich lake”, and in the original language it sounds like Bai-Kul.

Khoboy Mys, Olkhon (Konstantin Malanchev / flickr.com)

The second variant of the origin of the name, according to the guess of historians, is associated with the Mongols - in their language the reservoir was called Baigal (rich fire) or Baigal dalai (large sea). There is a third version of the name, according to which the neighboring Chinese called the lake the “northern sea”. In Chinese it sounds like Bei-Hai.

Lake Baikal is one of the oldest bodies of water on the earth’s surface. This orographic unit went through a rather complex and long process of formation in the earth’s crust.

More than 25 million years ago, the reservoir began its formation, which continues to this day. Recent geological studies prove that Baikal can rightfully be considered the beginning of another ocean, which, of course, will not appear in the near future, but scientists are almost certain that this will happen.

The shores of the lake are expanding significantly every year, the water space is increasing before our eyes, so in a few million years, according to researchers, there will be an ocean in the place of the lake.

Lake research

A unique distinguishing feature of Baikal waters is their amazing transparency. At a depth of forty meters, you can easily see every pebble at the bottom.

Olkhon Island, Baikal (Jason Rogers / flickr.com)

This is explained by simple chemical laws. The fact is that almost all rivers flowing into Baikal pass through crystals of poorly soluble rocks.

Hence the low level of mineralization of Baikal. It is about 100 milligrams per liter of lake water.

Thanks to the maximum depth of Baikal and the high coastline, which exceeds the surface of the ocean by 450 meters, the bottom of the reservoir is rightfully considered the deepest depression not only on this continent, but also among other continents.

Thanks to the fact that scientists found out the exact location of the maximum depth of the lake, a dive was made to this point several years ago.

It is located within the Olkhon Island. The modern deep-sea device sank to the bottom for more than 1 hour. Over the course of some time, scientists filmed and collected samples for a detailed study of the bottom composition of the water and the rocks present.

During this experiment, researchers were able to discover new microorganisms and identify the source of oil pollution in Lake Baikal.