Geoheritage Resource of Small Mud Lakes in the Semi-Arid Environments of the Russian South

Fedorov Fedorov,Ruban Ruban

doi:10.3390/resources8020075

Abstract

Lakes constitute a significant freshwater resource and are often regarded as being an important part of a country’s natural heritage. However, their geological heritage (geoheritage) value remains significantly understudied. Three small lakes, namely the Salt Lake, the Gruzskoe Lake and the Big Yashalta Lake, located in the central part of the Russian South were studied in this paper. The main focus of this research was to search for relevant unique geological features. This paper established that these lakes are distinguishable from other lakes by the presence of dark-colored mud that is rich in sulfides and methane. As a result of excessive summer evaporation, the lakes desiccate (partly or even fully) and this results in exposure of the mud as well as the formation of salt crystals and crusts. This bottom mud (peloid, therapeutic mud) forms as a result of highly-complex biogeochemical processes in semi-arid environments. This mud is interpreted as being part of the lake’s geoheritage as it belongs to sedimentary, geochemical and other types. Moreover, this geoheritage has a high ranking nationally. The most representative example can be found at the Big Yashalta Lake and for that reason, this lake is proposed as a geosite. Established sites of geoheritage importance are vital to geoscience research and geotourism activities and thus, these sites are considered to be a resource. Together with the development of local ecotourism and the use of peloids for the health industry purposes, the exploitation of this geoheritage resource would contribute to the sustainable development of the local area.

Highlights

The socioeconomic significance of water objects is indisputable and this has been valued with a diverse set of approaches, including ecosystem services [1,2]
The most representative example can be found at the Big Yashalta Lake and for that reason, this lake is proposed as a geosite
From about two dozen types of geoheritage distinguished by Habibi et al [20], the peloids from the small mud lakes of the study area can be assigned to hydrological, sedimentary, mineralogical, geochemical, pedological and economical types

Summary

Introduction

The socioeconomic significance of water objects is indisputable and this has been valued with a diverse set of approaches, including ecosystem services [1,2]. It has commonly been thought to be associated with ‘purely’ geological features, representing the solid For been this reason, water have been regarded separate category In of essence, natural geoheritage found in rock objects outcrops, quarries and areasasofaactive volcanism. These very preliminary for first formations time) that lacustrine bottom muds thatinare richof in their sulfides, methane and organic matter considerations need tothat be expanded upon and discussed. The mainvery objective of this are unique formations deserve consideration in termsin ofmore their depth These preliminary paper is to characterize small mud lakes located in the central part of the noted territory as objects of considerations need to be expanded upon and discussed in more depth.

Study Object and Methodology

General

Geoheritage Characteristics

Discussion

Conclusions