Changes in the environmental situation in Listvyanka in 2017–2022

Abstract

The article deals with the problem of deterioration in the quality of the waters of Lake Baikal and changes in their composition. Baikal is the only large lake in Russia. It ranks sixth in the world in terms of the volume of drinking water reserves whose shortage is observed in a number of countries. Due to the development of tourism in Siberia, the lake ecosystem has already suffered great damage. To identify the reasons for the change in water quality, samples were taken in Listvyanka; quality indicators were analyzed and compared with those obtained in 2017 and 2020. The study revealed that the change in the water composition was caused by improper disposal of household waste and modern detergents containing organic substances and derivatives of petroleum products. Decaying waste increases the water temperature in the bays, which causes the appearance of spirogyra blocking the transport of oxygen to the lake inhabitants. The further spread of spirogyra can cause an ecological disaster. The article describes treatment facilities in Listvyanka and shortcomings of the project. Unfortunately, to restore the ecosystem, it is not enough to limit tourism; measures aimed to improve the productivity of these treatment facilities with a minimum of financial costs are required.