Baikal Coast Research Articles

The Source of Thermophilic Bacteria in Lake Baikal Cold Sediments – Coastal Hydrotherms or Deep Fluids?

The sources of thermophilic bacteria revealed in cold Lake Baikal sediments are considered. Comparative analysis of the taxonomic position of thermophilic microorganisms from four terrestrial hot springs at Lake Baikal coast and from the bottom sediments associated with hydrocarbon discharge was carried out. The sequences of thermophilic microorganisms with the same taxonomic position were revealed both in the hot springs and bottom sediments. Some microbial species occurred only in the hydrotherm samples or only in those from the sediments. Gas-saturated fluids from the hydrocarbon generation zone at the depth of 4‒6 km are the most probable source of thermophilic microorganisms in the bottom sediments.

Псаммофитная растительность долины реки Худан (Республика Бурятия)

Псаммофитная растительность долины реки Худан (Республика Бурятия)

Комплексы раннего неолита геоархеологического объекта Бугульдейка I (западное побережье озера Байкал)

For the first time, the materials of the Early Neolithic complexes (cultural layers 7 and 8) of the multilayered site Buguldeika 1 on western coast of Lake Baikal, excavated in 2016 by A. A. Timoschenko and E. N. Bocharova, are introduced in full. A comparative analysis of materials from layers 7 and 8 showed that these complexes are largely homogeneous in nature (in terms of production and typology of ceramics and stone items). The differences lie in the changed proportions of cord-impressed Khaita and net-impressed ceramics (the predominance of the first of them in layer 8, and the second in layer 8). The complex of layer 7 contains a more diverse set of stone products, including rods of compound fishhooks of not only the Baikal, but also the Kitoi-like type. Some features were recorded in the composition and ratio of fauna remains, which made it possible to outline differences in fishing strategies: 1) layer 8 – hunting of ungulates, 2) layer 7 – specialized hunting for seals. Probably, such difference is explained by the seasonal characteristics. Based on the stratigraphy, comparison of archaeological materials with synchronous complexes of main multilayered sites of the Cis-Baikal and radiocarbon AMS dating, the age of the cultural layers of the studied site was determined. They represent different chronological periods of the Early Neolithic: layer 8 – 7779–7576 cal BP, and layer 7 – 7406–7168 cal BP. An important point of this study is the fact of the presence of bighorn sheep on the coast of Lake Baikal during the boreal stage of the Holocene (8981–8398 cal BP). Excavations at the Buguldeika 1 showed the prospects for further research of this site and confirmed the existence in the Early Neolithic of the Cis-Baikal of different traditions for the production of ceramic vessels: with impressions of woven net and impressions of cord (Khaita type). A series of radiocarbon dates obtained from all complexes of Cis-Baikal Early Neolithic sites (including Buguldeika 1) indicate that both pottery traditions existed relatively synchronously in the chronological range of 8160–7000 cal BP. A comparative analysis of the Early Neolithic complexes of the Baikal coast with materials from multilayered sites in the south of Middle Siberia showed their correspondence with each other in several techno-morphological characteristics and, above all, in the manufacture of ceramics.

Химическая гидрогеодинамика в Улан-Баторском резервуаре подземных вод в 2012–2023 годах: сопоставление с химической гидрогеодинамикой резервуаров побережья Байкала

Comparative hydrogeochemical studies of groundwater in the Ulaanbaatar reservoir and those in the coast of Lake Baikal show significant difference between hydrogeodynamic processes of these areas, the earlier generation of U-isotopic and Si–Na–Li-temperature anomalies in the Ulaanbaatar groundwater reservoir and the later in those of the Baikal coast.

Новые данные по результатам исследования погребально-поминального комплекса Цаган-Хушун-II «а» на побережье оз. Байкал

Funeral and memorial complexes are the objects consisting of human burials and memorial structures or ritual masonry, under which there may be objects that have some symbolic meaning for the people who built them. One of such objects on the Baikal coast is the site of the Iron Age Tsagan Khushun-II in the Priolkhonye. Until now, it was considered an object with one type of funeral rite — the Elginsky, which existed on the territory of the Baikal region from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD. Those buried in the grave pits were laid crouched, on their sides, with their heads oriented to the southeast. However, the excavations carried out in recent years have revealed an earlier type of burial — Butukheysky. For the Butukheysky burial rite, the position of the person buried in the grave pit is elongated, on his back, with his head oriented to the southeast. Radiocarbon dates were obtained from the bones of those buried from two Butukheysky burials discovered in the southern part of the burial ground. The age of burial No. 23 corresponds to the erd — beginning of the 2nd centuries BC, the age of burial No. 31 — II — beginning of the 1st centuries BC. Thus, the Butukheysky and Elginsky burial traditions have existed together for more than two centuries. Their representatives buried their dead in the same burial grounds.

Многослойные геоархеологические объекты побережья озера Байкал: итоги и перспективы изучения

The article summarizes and analyzes information on 16 multilayered geoarchaeological sites of the Lake Baikal coast, including the famous Ulan-Khada site. The research is based on the results of excavations, literary and archival materials. A list of local sites has been determined, their mapping, archaeological assessment, and radiocarbon data (153 dates, mostly AMS) have been analyzed. These sites are provided with stratigraphic, geological, and geomorphological characteristics, high-quality and informative materials. They represent a reliable source base and are the basis for the study of the regional Holocene cultures and the reconstruction of paleoclimates and paleolandscapes. The predominant location of multilayered sites on the western coast of Lake Baikal and, first of all, its Little Sea section is noted. From 3 to 15 cultural levels have been recorded on multilayered sites, containing finds from different periods from the Stone Age to the Late Iron Age. Currently, only two multilayered sites (Kurla 1 and Kurla 4) are known on the Lake Baikal coast, containing complexes of the Final Paleolithic. Early Holocene assemblages were noted at 8 sites (the most significant are Sagan-Nuge, Berloga, and Ityrkhei 1). Stratified Neolithic complexes predominate belogning to the early (10 sites), middle (4 sites) and late (9 sites) stages of this period. Among the most significant sites containing several isolated Neolithic layers are Sagan-Zaba 2, Ityrkhei 1, Tyshkine 2, Katun 1, Buguldeika 1 and 2. Reference sites for the Early Bronze Age are Ulan-Khada 1, Katun 1, Tyshkine 2 and 3, and for the Late Bronze Age – Tyshkine 3, Katun 1 and Berloga. At the Sagan-Zaba 2, Katun 1, and Buguldeika 2 sites, studies of the Early and Late Iron Age are promising. Radiocarbon dates have been obtained for almost all the studied sites (14). The complexes of the Early (29 dates) and Late (22 dates) Neolithic are the most endowed with them. At present, the chronology of the Lake Baikal coast cultural complexes seems to be as follows: the Final Paleolithic – 19,270–14,250 cal BP, Mesolithic – 13,070–8220 cal BP, Early Neolithic – 8170-6900 cal BP, Middle Neolithic – 6930–6290 cal BP, Late Neolithic – 5840–4650 cal BP, Early Bronze Age – 4850(4530)–3220 cal BP, Late Bronze Age – 3330–2000 cal BP, Early Iron Age – 2120–1530 cal BP, Late Iron Age – 1240–940 cal BP.

A decrease in the number and the timing shift of the bird arrival in the North-Eastern Baikal Region

The article deals with the main results of a long-term study of birds in the Barguzin State Nature Biosphere Reserve (Russia). Phenological observations of the bird spring arrival have been carried out from 1938 to 2020. Monitoring of bird communities has been carried out from 1984 to 2020 on permanent counting routes in the valleys of three rivers in the area from the Lake Baikal coast to the highlands of the Barguzin Range (460–1700 m a.s.l.). We detected shifts and cyclical changes in the timing of the bird arrival and revealed a steady decrease in the abundance of the bird population after 1997–1998. The long-term series of observations (taking into account of model bird groups) made it possible to identify some responses of the biota to climatic changes in the Lake Baikal Region. Twenty-six species (40.0%) began to arrive in spring statistically significantly earlier, seven species (10.8%) significantly later, and for 32 species (49.2%) the arrival timing did not change statistically significantly. In contrary to Europe and North America, in the Baikal Region, the proportion of distant migrants in the group of early arriving bird species is higher than in the group of nearby migrants. We suggest that these differences may be associated with different wintering areas of long-distance migrants (species of the Baikal Region winter in South and Southeast Asia in contrast to African wintering areas of European birds). In the Baikal Region, the periods of high and low abundance in background species populations are probably associated with the passage of wet and dry phases of a long climatic cycle. We have identified positive trends in long-term changes in abundance for seven background species (14.0%), and a steady decline in abundance for 17 species (34.0%). In addition, we noted an equal ratio of species with a positive and negative trend in native species abundance. Negative trends of changes in the number of distant and nearby migrants prevailed over positive (increase) trends. So, we found 14 species with negative and four species with positive trends. An increase in the duration of observations makes it possible to give a more reliable assessment of processes in population dynamics, and identify mechanisms of the influence of meteorological and phenological factors on the dynamics of the abundance of bird species. This makes it possible to predict some biota responses to long-term climate changes in the absence of anthropogenic transformations of the natural environment.

Итоги и перспективы исследования неолитических стоянок побережья Байкала

The article aims to generalize the information on the Neolithic sites of the Baikal coast identified for all period of the research, to evaluate their significance and prospects for further study. It is based on literary, archival materials and the results of our own field work. A list of objects (93 sites) was determined, their mapping was done, preliminary dating was clarified, data on radiocarbon dates ware collected (48 dates for 12 sites). Among the Neolithic objects, microlayered sites containing pure complexes of this time are the most important. 34 such objects have been recorded along the entire coast of Lake Baikal. Excavations were carried out on 17 of them, the rest of the sites were revealed by small excavation works. Approximately a third of objects (29 sites) are identified based on the collection of exposed material. A significant group is represented by macrolayered objects (30 sites), where the Neolithic materials are in a situation of compression with the complexes of other chronological periods. The unevenness of the archaeological study of the Baikal shore is noted. The Cis-Olkhon region has the greatest scientific potential. 10 microlayered sites (out of 22) were comprehensively excavated on this territory. Enough reliable stratigraphy, geological and geomorphological characteristics, qualitative, informative archaeological material, and the series of radiocarbon dates were obtained. The southwestern Baikal shore sites (3 out of 7 microlayered objects have been excavated) and Chivyrkui Bay (1 out of 3 objects) represented a promising material. These archaeological sites are a reliable source base and pivotal in the study of the regional Neolithic. At present, the largest number of sites with complexes of the Early (16 sites) and Late (13 sites) Neolithic have been identified on the Baikal coast. Complexes of the Middle Neolithic in microlayered position are noted at 6 sites. The complexes of the Cis-Olkhon region and the southwestern Baikal coast are provided with radiocarbon dates. For the Late Neolithic there are 25 reliable dates, for the Early Neolithic – 19 dates, for the Middle Neolithic – 4 dates. According to them, the complexes of the Early Neolithic are dated in the range of 7214–6123 BP (8160–6910 cal BP), Middle Neolithic – 5874–5597 BP (6750–6310 cal BP), Late Neolithic – 4967–4217 BP (5840–4630 cal BP). In general, the Neolithic sites of the Baikal coast have great scientific potential and prospects for future research.

Relief formation of the Selenga River delta in different periods of water content during the technogenic stage of development

The technogenic stage of relief formation of the river mouth systems of the Lake Baikal coast occurred during the rise of the basic level in the 50-70 years of the last century and continues to the present time. In the considered stage, there were at least 6 anomalies of river flow, which caused the onset of low-water and high-water periods in the Baikal basin. Changes in the basic conditions of formation of the Baikal coast were significantly reflected in the morphology of the largest river mouth system of the Selenga River, representing the protruding delta. The fluvial process is leading in delta-forming and is controlled by the level of the receiving reservoir, hydro-climatic events in the basin and seismotectonic manifestations in the coastal zone. During the mentioned period at the top of the Delta, there was a change of the type of channel process, the restructuring of the channel network, the formation of flood-plain terrace, channel meso – and microforms was noted. Morphometric analysis of cartographic data allowed building a hydrological and geomorphological model development of the relief of the Delta, as well as for the time sections corresponding to the periods of low water and high water.

Хронология неолитической керамики Байкало-Енисейской Сибири: основные идеи и новые данные

There are two main research areas in the Neolithic studies of the Baikal-Yenisei Siberia. One of them relates to research of mortuary traditions, another with a research of hunter-gatherer’s campsites. Ceramics is of the greatest importance for the cultural identification of campsites complexes. As a result of the Canadian-Russian project, for the Neolithic burials a clear chronological model based on AMS radiocarbon dates corrected for the freshwater reservoir effect (FRE) was created. There are several hypotheses for ceramic complexes that were proposed, but all of them predominantly were based on the radiocarbon dates obtained by the liquid scintillation counting method. This data cannot be admitted as reliable because of the limitation of this method, the big root-mean-square deviation, and the lack of data on stable carbon and nitrogen isotopes. Over the past few years, we have received in the Keck-CCAMS Group and Oxford Radiocarbon Accelerator Unit laboratories 35 new AMS-radiocarbon dates for the complexes with Neolithic ceramics. Samples taken for analyses were obtained from the 14 multilayered sites of the Angara region, Tunka valley, and Lake Baikal coast. They are represented by fragments of teeth, bones, and horns of the mammals (predominantly Cervidae and large ungulates) that accompanied pottery in cultural horizons. In five cases the carbonized organic residues (foodcrusts) from the inner surface of ceramic vessels were used as samples. In one more case, it was a strong humified soil cleaned from impurities. The technical assessment of the reliability of all dates was provided. The definitions obtained for faunal remains look the most correct. Dates obtained for foodcrust are likely significantly older, because of possible FRE influence. The geoarchaeological assessment of new dates and their correlation with the most reliable dates of previous years is provided. Based on the AMC-dating, the following chronometric frames for the Neolithic pottery of the Baikal-Yenisei Siberia are offered: Early Neolithic Net-impressed and the Khaita ceramics in the Angara region – 8539–6914 cal BP, on the Lake Baikal coast – 8160–6960 cal BP, in the Tunka valley – 7843–7681 cal BP; Ust-Belaya ceramics in the Northern Angara region – 7421–7014 cal BP (perhaps the real age is younger), in the Southern Angara region – 6730–6306 cal BP; Posolskaya ceramics on the Lake Baikal coast – 6750–6300 cal BP, in the Southern Angara region – 6730–6306 cal BP; Serovo and Dotted-comb ceramics on the Lake Baikal coast – 5841–4620 cal BP.

Preservation of the natural potential of vegetation. Assessment in landscape planning

The priority purpose of landscape planning is preservation of natural environment with existing ecosystem interrelations under prevailing conditions for the territory development. Analysis of the contemporary state of plant cover is component part of the comprehensive program of studies on landscape planning, which reveals dynamics of vegetation, territorial differentiation, biological variety, degree of territory disturbance communities, and potential of their preservation. Natural stability of vegetation, which is supported not only at the level of biocenosis, but also at the level of spatial current connections of contemporary landscape, is one of the main conditions of preserving the biotope structure. Particularities of development and nature restoration determine ecologically favorable conditions of existence and renewal of plant cover structure. External disturbing factors set additional constraints on the motion of natural dynamics, slowing down restoration or completely leading to irreversible changes. The evaluation of sustainability of plant communities for the southern part of the Lake Baikal coast was carried out on the basis of expert estimation for multifactoral impacts upon dynamics and was represented using a cartographic method in the form of integrated areas of the sustainability of plant communities. Cartographic interpretation of contemporary vegetation state of investigated territory, the determining of the integrated areas of plant community’s sustainability, and further sequential carrying out of interconnected estimation maps, makes possible to differentiate territory in the categories of landscape planning for the complex preservation of natural environment and to develop the necessary measures for stabilization.

Landscape hydrological principles for planning the water protection zone of Lake Baikal: aims and results

The article presents the aims and objectives of the water protection zoning of the Lake Baikal coast as well as the main points of the landscape hydrological substantiation of the dimensions for the water protection zone of this water body, which is a World Natural Heritage site. Analysis of the legislative framework as well as current natural and ecological state of the coastal area indicate serious anthropogenic impacts on the lake and the lack of the water protection experience, especially, in residential and recreational areas. The study considers the main landscape hydrological parameters and criteria for determining the boundary of the water protection zone as well as physiographical conditions and the ecological necessity to include certain types of landscapes in the protection zone. The individual hydrological characteristics of landscapes, depending on the structural components, determine water potential and water protection parameters of the area, which allows for the substantiation of the water protection zone dimensions that ensure the protection of the water resources of Lake Baikal. The problems of water resources protection in the areas of economic use are of special attention. The study suggests the approaches to functional water protection zoning of urbanized and recreational areas, including landscape hydrological principles for assessing the area and methodological elements of landscape planning as well as regulation of the natural resources use for the purposes of the ecological development of coastal areas. A scientifically grounded water protection zone of Baikal involves coordination and control of all activities related to the use and protection of the lake.

Наука и инновации в исследовании биоразнообразия растительного мира Байкальской Сибири

Растительный мир Байкальской Сибири (БС) сформировался на стыке нескольких биогеографических провинций Северной и Центральной Азии и характеризуется богатством биоразнообразия. Флора Бурятии как часть БС включает 2206 видов сосудистых растений (610 родов и 136 семейств). Из них в Красную книгу РБ включены 158 видов, что составляет 7,2 %. В горных долинах Прибайкалья и Забайкалья выявлены очагиновейшего эндемизма. Помимо эндемиков характерны реликты, из них к древнейшим плиоценовым относится27 видов. В рамках инновационных программ исследования создана система мониторинга за состоянием лесовБайкальского побережья, уникальными популяциями редких растений. В основе ее лежит центр АПИК (атмосферно-почвенный измерительный комплекс) для мониторинга за состоянием среды, что позволяет составить «паспорт» биоразнообразия экосистем. Практические разработки позволили расширить ассортимент полезных растений (пищевые, лекарственные, кормовые и др.) из природной флоры, а также выявить долю социально опасныхи вредных (наркотических, сорных, ядовитых) растений в растительности БС, Бурятии.

Early Cambrian age and crustal source of granitoids of the Goryachinsky pluton (North Baikal area): geodynamic implications

The article presents the results of U-Pb in zircon and Nd-isotope study of the adakite granites of the Goryachinsky pluton, exposed along the Baikal coast in the section of termination of the package of shear tectonic plates of the Baikal-Muya belt. The Early Cambrian age of granitoids, which is unusual for the Northern Baikal region, is 545 ± 6 Ma. According to the authors, new geological and isotopic data indicate the formation of the studied granitoids at the final stage of the Late Baikal shear tectogenesis, which caused the manifestation of adakite magmatism within the Baikal-Muya belt.

The Early Cambrian Age and Crustal Sources of Granitoids of the Goryachinskiy Pluton (Northern Baikal): Geodynamic Implications

New results of U–Pb zircon and Nd–isotope analyses of the Goryachinskiy Pluton adakite granites have been obtained. The pluton is exposed along the Baikal coast in the section where a section of sheared tectonic sheets of the Baikal–Muya Belt wedges out. The determined Early Cambrian (545 ± 6 Ma) age of the granitoids is unusual in the Northern Baikal region. These new geological and isotopic data are interpreted as an indication of the formation of the granitoids studied at the final stage of the Late Baikal strike–slip tectonics, which caused the pulse of the adakite magmatism within the Baikal–Muya belt.

Морфологический анализ и датировка керамики Посольской стоянки (по материалам раскопок Е. А. Хамзиной 1959 г.)

The analysis of pottery materials of Posolskaya site (excavations by E. A. Khamzina in 1959), which is located on the southeast coast of Lake Baikal (Kabansk district, the Republic of Buryatia), is carried out in this article. Based on morphological features, several groups of pottery with a set of characteristic features are identified. A comparison of them with the materials of supporting multilayer objects on the coast of Baikal and Cis-Baikal area, in general, made it possible to determine the relative and absolute chronology of these groups. It was determined that pottery complexes of layers 2 and 3 contain artifacts of different cultural and chronological periods from the Neolithic to the Bronze Age in a mixed state. They contain materials of the Middle and Late Neolithic (Posolskaya and Ust-Belaya ceramic types), the Early Bronze Age (pottery with pearls, with fingernails and Northern Baikal type) and the Late Bronze Age (Tyshkine-Senogdinsk type). Reticulated pottery, recorded in small quantities, was found in all complexes of the Neolithic era of the region. The pottery studies showed, on the one hand, its morpho-typological proximity with similar pottery in the south of Central Siberia as a whole. On the other hand, there were some regional differences (thickening of the corolla in bulk on Posolskaya type pottery in two versions: from the outside and from the inside; a variety of compositional structures on vessels with an external thickening of the corolla was revealed, expressed in simplification of the ornamental design; pottery combining features of Posolskaya and Ust-Belaya types was distinguished. A series of radiocarbon dates from stratified complexes of multilayer objects on the Baikal coast made it possible to determine chronological ranges for almost all pottery groups identified at Posolskaya site. Posolskaya type pottery in two of its variants corresponds to a chronological interval of 6750–6310 cal BP; Ust’-Belaia type (focusing on the dates of Ulan-Khada and the Gorelyi Les) – 5581–4420 cal BP; pottery with pearls and constructions from wide lines of the retreating spatula – 4500–3080 cal BP, pottery with finger pinches corresponds to 3370–3230 cal BP; Northern Baikal type – 3346–3077 cal BP; Tyshkine-Senogdinsk type – 2778–1998 cal BP.

Tourism on the Northern Baikal coast and environmental problems.

Tourism on the Northern Baikal coast and environmental problems.

Landscape-Hydrological Assessment of the Lake Baikal Coast for Recreational Development Purposes

This paper considers the theoretical and methodological aspects of landscape-hydrological analysis in substantiating the possible development of recreational activities within the boundaries of the central ecological zone of the Baikal natural territory (BNT CEZ) in Irkutsk oblast. The hydrological characteristics of the landscapes in terms of their sensitivity and resistance to natural changes and external influences are given. We carried out a landscape-hydrological zoning for the BNT CEZ territory within the boundaries of Irkutsk oblast having regard to the conditions of runoff formation, the characteristic features of its regulation in various landscapes, and to the possibility of preserving the natural water regime and the waterecological state in utilizing the territory. It is determined that the main factors for the landscape differentiation in assessing the advisability of recreational development without damage to the Lake Baikal ecosystem and to the natural waters of BNT CEZ as a whole are the hydrological properties of landscapes and resistance of natural complexes to impacts. It is found that the level of realization of the main hydrological functions of landscapes, i. e. the runoff formation, runoff regulation and water protection functions, characterizes the involvement of the natural complex in the formation of quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the local runoff, in the replenishment processes of dynamical reserves of subsurface waters, the regulation of natural floods and freshets, the preservation of the water-ecological potential of the territory. As a result a landscape-hydrological framework zoning of the territory using the landscape planning tools, three zones have been identified: the zone of the preservation of the existing state, the zone of regulated use, and the zone of territorial development. The proposed zones have general recommendations for the preservation of the hydrological and water-ecological indicators of the natural complexes which imply abandoning any activity in areas of particularly high value and highly sensitive to impacts, and the possibility of developing recreational activities in sustainable areas, subject to environmental protection measures.

Радиоуглеродное датирование керамических комплексов с поселений эпохи неолита побережья Байкала

Радиоуглеродное датирование керамических комплексов с поселений эпохи неолита побережья Байкала

Landscape-hydrological assessment of the Lake Baikal coast for recreational development purposes.

Landscape-hydrological assessment of the Lake Baikal coast for recreational development purposes.