Ecological State of Lake Gusinoe—A Cooling Pond of the Gusinoozersk GRES

Larisa D Radnaeva,Svetlana V Zhigzhitzhapova,Ping Wang,Zehong Li,Andrey N Beshentsev,Elena P Dylenova,Valentina G Shiretorova,Tcogto Zh Bazarzhapov,Olga D Budaeva,Endon Zh Garmaev,Galina S Shirapova,Suocheng Dong,Elena P Nikitina,Arnold K Tulokhonov

doi:10.3390/w14010004

Abstract

The study of the transformation of substances in the basin of the Selenga River—the main tributary of Lake Baikal—under anthropogenic pressure and in the context of global climate change, is especially important for the lake, a globally important source of drinking water. The ecosystem of Lake Gusinoe is one of the key objects in the Selenga River basin that is exposed to significant anthropogenic pressure. This study presents the results of an analysis of water level changes and physicochemical parameters of the water mass of Lake Gusinoe; literature data from 1951 to 2017 and own data from 2017 to 2021. The water level in the lake had depended on natural factors before the Gusinoozersk GRES was launched; however, since the plant has begun using the lake as a cooling pond, its level has actually been regulated by the economic entity. Over the years, there has been a significant increase in mineralization, sulfate, sodium, fluoride and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation. Seasonal increases in iron and manganese concentrations in water were detected. Increased concentrations of nutrients and organic matter fractions resistant to oxidation were registered at the wastewater discharge sites. Heavy metals in the bottom sediments of Lake Gusinoe accumulate mainly in the silt of the deep zone of the lake. Plants growing in the zones of influence of the Gusinoozersk GRES and Gusinoozersk wastewater discharge accumulate the largest amount of metals.

Highlights

Drinking water scarcity, worsened by industrial pollution of surface water, has been a global problem since the twentieth century [1,2,3,4]
For the period of 1970–2020, the long-term average annual water level in Lake Gusinoe was 141 cm above the zero mark on the water gauge (the zero mark—549.55 m in Baltic system, (b.s.))
The water level in Lake Gusinoe varies within a large range, both within a year and over a multi-year period (Figures 4 and 5)

Summary

Introduction

Drinking water scarcity, worsened by industrial pollution of surface water, has been a global problem since the twentieth century [1,2,3,4]. Climate change and anthropogenic pressure make it important to study the ecological condition of water bodies located in the basin of the Selenga River, the main tributary of Lake Baikal. The river’s runoff accounts for 50% of the total water inflow and more than 50% of the chemical inflow into the lake This is notable, given that Baikal is a World Natural Heritage site and a source of drinking water of global importance [7,8,9]. The 1190 MW Gusinoozersk GRES (GRES stands for ‘state-owned regional electricity-generating station’) makes 85.1% of the total surface water consumption in Buryatia. As it is located on the lake shore, it is the largest source of pollution. Historic records show that GRES wastewater discharges have increased along with an intensified withdrawal of water for power generation [12]

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