Anthropogenic changes of hydrochemical and sanitary-microbiological indexes of water quality in tributaries of south Baikal (Listvennichniy bay)

Abstract

Sanitary-microbiological and hydrochemical research of rivers flowing into Baikal in the area of Lystvyanka settlement was carried out from 2014 to 2015. It was found out that water quality in the mouths of such rivers as Bolshaya Cheremshanka, Malaya Cheremshanka and Kamenushka fell out of the standards of normative technological document in Russia, as well as abroad (US and Europe) based on such indicators as thermotolerant coliform bacteria (TCB), thermotolerant E. coli, enterococci. The quality of water in the mouths of B. Cheremshanka, M. Cheremshanka, Kamenushka rivers was far from standards of the above mentioned (Russia) by hydrochemical indices such as phosphates (PO43-). In June 2015, the standard by TCB group was exceeded more than 10 times in coastal water of Lake Baikal near B. Cheremshanka River mouth. Thus, the water quality sampled from the river mouths in comparison to river waters sampled above settlement was significantly poor. Moreover, in July 2015 when the number of tourists was maximal, high gradient between amount of fecal bacteria in river mouths compared to the water samples from the upstreams on background stations was found. To stop local damage of the ecosystem in Lystvyanka area the construction of wastewater treatment station here is urgent and reasonable.