Barguzin River Research Articles

Assessment of Lipid Quality Indices of Fish from the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia)

Assessment of Lipid Quality Indices of Fish from the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia)

Indicators of high and low inflow to Lake Baikal and the runoff of its main rivers

The differentiation of the surface water inflow values to Lake Baikal and the runoff characteristics of the main Baikal rivers into seven gradations according to the water availability conditions was studied on the basis of regular observations. This classification enables to operate with numerical values of the water availability criteria of the considered indicators. It has been demonstrated that the range of fluctuations in the river inflow and runoff within individual classes (gradations) is determined by sample distribution parameters, with the range narrowing from high to low water availability. The classes of catastrophically high or low water content in the annual and monthly inflow values and the runoff characteristics of the Selenga, Upper Angara and Barguzin rivers for 1961–2020 were observed mostly once each. For earlier years, which are outside the calculation period, the values of inflow and water runoff of the rivers with a lower recurrence rate were observed. The low inflow observed in 1903 and the spring flood period of the Barguzin River in 1936 corresponded to a recurrence interval of once every 1,000 years or less frequently.

Heavy Metal Content in Fish of the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia) and Assessment of Potential Risks to Human Health

In this paper, the levels of nine heavy metals in the organs and tissues of six commercially important fish species from the Barguzin River (Eastern Cisbaikalia, Russia), bream Abramis brama, roach Rutilus rutilus, crucian carp Carassius carassius, common carp Cyprinus carpio, perch Perca fluviatilis and northern pike Esox lucius, were investigated. The distribution of HMs in the fish organs and tissues was unequal and was determined by both their physiological functions and routes of entry. The study also characterized the environmental habitats, including water and sediments, and conducted an assessment of potential risks to human health associated with fish consumption. The results showed that the levels of Fe, Zn, Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb, Cr and Hg in the muscle tissue of fish from the Barguzin River were generally low and did not exceed the maximum allowable concentrations established in Russia and worldwide. However, Mn levels in a number of samples exceeded the corresponding maximum allowable concentrations, which may be attributed to its elevated presence in the habitat. The calculated fish condition factor K showed good health status of fish from the Barguzin River. The highest Metal Pollution Index values were recorded for northern pike scales (5.9), which, however, corresponded to a low level of contamination. The other metal pollution index values for fish organs and tissues were all below five, indicating either no or very low contamination. Risk to human health was assessed using target hazard quotients and hazard index. None of these indices, both for each fish species studied and for each of the nine heavy metals, exceeded one. This indicated that consumption of the fish species studied did not pose an excessive risk of non-carcinogenic health effects to humans. The data on the content of nine heavy metals in the main commercially caught fish species from the Barguzin River indicated a low level of tissue and organ contamination by heavy metals and the absence of health risks to humans associated with their consumption as food.

Структура Растительного покрова Амутской котловины (Джергинский заповедник, Республика Бурятия)

Large-scale vegetation mapping makes it possible to assess the spatial structure of communities at the local level. The Amut Basin is one of the small intermountain basins of the Baikal rift zone. The basin was formed in a complex orographic junction of the Barguzinsky, Severo-Muysky, Yuzhno-Muysky and Ikatsky ridges. The basin is a part of the Dzherginsky Nature Reserve. It was organized to protect the natural complexes of the sources of the Barguzin River. Despite the simplicity of the vegetation structure, there is an interpenetration of elements of different phratries of formations — the Ural-Siberian, Angarid and Berengian. This indicates a complex history of the development of the vegetation cover of the territory. A large-scale geobotanical map makes it possible to create the basis for a balanced protection of the natural complexes of the reserve and contributes to identifying the local structure of the vegetation cover of the Baikal rift zone. Analysis of the resulting map shows the relative simplicity of the communities diversity in the basin. 12 groups of indigenous associations and 3 categories of derived communities have been identified. The main coenogenetic groups were not identified due to the insignificant participation of elements of the Ural-Siberian and Berengia phratries of formations. The dominant formations in the basin belong to the Angarid phratry. They are represented by Dahurian larch communities. The Berengian element of cenoses, Pinus pumila, dominates in limitedly widespread cenoses, but as an undergrowth it is found everywhere in larch forests. Pure dark coniferous forests of the Ural-Siberian phratry of cedar (Pinus sibirica) and fir (Abies sibirica) were not recorded on the territory of the basin; however, cedar undergrowth and individual cedar specimens are found regularly on the territory. Spot growth of an element of the South Siberian formations of the Ural-Siberian phratry — Caragana jubata — in coastal shrub and forest cenoses should be noted. The overall disturbance of the area’s vegetation cover is low. Traces of fires in the basin are sporadic, and burnt areas distribution is limited. Regeneration processes are actively taking place in burnt areas. The main role in the preservation of the natural complexes of the Amut Basin is played by the fact that the basin with adjacent territories is the part of the Dzherginsky Nature Reserve. The reserve was founded on the basis of a complex zakaznik (protected area) that existed here since 1974. The created map can serve as the basis for conducting monitoring observations of succession processes in the territory, identifying widespread and less widespread cenoses in the reserve, and also for zoning the territory for environmental purposes. Currently, it is planned to create a large-scale vegetation map for the entire territory of the Dzherginsky Nature Reserve.

Inflow of Biogenic Elements with the Barguzin River Water and Their Role in Eutrophication of the Barguzin Bay (Lake Baikal)

Inflow of Biogenic Elements with the Barguzin River Water and Their Role in Eutrophication of the Barguzin Bay (Lake Baikal)

ПОСТУПЛЕНИЕ БИОГЕННЫХ ЭЛЕМЕНТОВ С ВОДАМИ РЕКИ БАРГУЗИН И ИХ РОЛЬ В ЭВТРОФИРОВАНИИ БАРГУЗИНСКОГО ЗАЛИВА (ОЗЕРО БАЙКАЛ)

The results of multiyear studies of biogenic element concentrations in the Barguzin River mouth and the Barguzin Bay are presented. The key role of the water outflow dynamics in seasonal and interannual changes in concentrations of biogenic elements and organic carbon in the river and their inflow to the bay is confirmed. The spatial distribution of biogenic element concentrations in the bay depends on seasonal hydrological and geophysical conditions and on the activity of phytoplankton development. It is shown that under low-water conditions in the bay, the concentration of mineral compounds of biogenic elements decreased and that of organic compounds increased. In terms of total phosphorus, the Barguzin Bay is mainly characterized as a mesotrophic water body.

Determining the age of Late Cenozoic sedimentary deposits in the valley of the Barguzin river

Determining the age of Late Cenozoic sedimentary deposits in the valley of the Barguzin river

Changes in patterns of mineral and chemical elements in bottom sediments of Lake Baikal (Russia) as high-resolution records of moisture for the past 31–16 ka BP

The high-resolution biochemical records (SRXRF, ICP-MS and FTIR analyses) of bottom sediments were used for the reconstruction of clastic flux into Lake Baikal via the Barguzin River as moisture and glacier indexes from 1631 ka BP. According to the obtained data, proxies of a high supply of clastic flux by the river are high: the content of feldspar and LREE/HREE, Rb/Sr and Th/Mo ratios. We sampled a sediment core extremely close to the estuary of the Barguzin River. It seems that the water budget of the Baikal tributaries dramatically reduced ca. 34–30 ka BP, and the lake water level was minimum (less than 35–40 m compared to the present) for the last 34 ka. The lake water level has gradually increased from ca. 30 to 25–23 ka BP, and it was likely linked with the activity of the East Asia Monsoon. The very contrasting changes in chemical and mineralogical records were ca. 29.5 ka BP, and these changes were very likely associated with the Heinrich-3; however, there were no significant changes in the records around the Heinrich-2. Our records revealed some intensification of the clastic flux of the Barguzin River into the Barguzin Bay ca. 25–23 ka BP. The Baikal event ca. 21.5–22.5 ka BP was characterized by a sharp reduction of the influx of clastic material into the Barguzin Bay. The time span of 19.5–18 ka BP was the last time that the Barguzin River inflow increased during the Late Pleistocene. This increase in the water budget was at arid regional conditions, and we assumed it could occur due to the contribution of meltwater from glaciers of the Barguzin Ridge. It is most likely that at the regional Late Pleistocene/Holocene transition (around 12–13 ka BP), a rapid rise of the water budget of the Barguzin River occurred, while the lake level was not high, and the sediments deposited from 12(13)–16.5 ka BP could be directly eroded by a kill of the Barguzin River. In general, the obtained records show that an increase in the water budget of the Barguzin River was gradual. The duration of high inflow into the Barguzin Bay was ca. 1.5 ka, while the reductions of this inflow were dramatic.

Actual inflow of riverine sediment load into Lake Baikal: main tributaries the Selenga, Upper Angara, and Barguzin Rivers (Russia)

Abstract. The sediment load delivery into Lake Baikal from its main tributaries the Selenga, Upper Angara, and Barguzin Rivers has been reduced since the mid-1970s. This is explained by climate change and socioeconomic activities. Integrated analysis of changes in hydro-meteorological parameters (water discharge, sediment load, air temperature, precipitation) and their trends over the period 1946 1975 (baseline) and 1976 2017 (warming) is performed. Changes in natural processes and human activity were negligible during the baseline period. During the warming period, the greatest reduction of the sediment load inflow against the background of temperature rise and precipitation decrease occurred in the interval between 1996 and 2017 in the Selenga River, between 1985 and 2017 in the Upper Angara River, and between 1992 and 2017 in the Barguzin River. The flux of the sediment load into these rivers was 768 103, 88 103, and 29 103 t y 1, respectively. This is 2 3 times less than the average multiyear values for all period of 1946 2017, which are usually used when characterizing sediment load runoff from these rivers. Currently the values in the given intervals correspond to the actual sediment load flux into Lake Baikal from the main tributaries.

Formation of the Ion Composition of the Barguzin River Waters (Lake Baikal Basin) under the Conditions of Saline Landscapes

The results of measuring the ion composition of the Barguzin River waters during periods of different water contents and assessments of hydrological factors of water flow self-purification are presented. For the first time, it is shown that realization of the self-purification potential of the river increasing with water discharge raise is limited by the entrance of mineral matter from salt lakes and saline lands of the lacustrine–alluvial plain, which occupies a considerable part of the Barguzin Depression situated in middle part of the river current. The expansion of saline landscapes in the depression is due to its rift origin, seismic activity, abundant outcome of underground waters, and arid climate. The supporting influence of the Shamanskii rift near the village of Barguzin results in large-scale depression waterflooding during a high water content and in intensive salts washing out of its territory. Particular environmental conditions in the river basin determine as well the peculiarities of formation of the ion composition of the Barguzin River waters differing from classic viewpoints concerning the decrease in river mineralization upon an increase in their outflow.

Effects of water levels on species diversity of silica-scaled chrysophytes in large tributaries of Lake Baikal

Large tributaries of Lake Baikal considered as a “hotspot” for silica-scaled chrysophytes diversity. Here we presented the updated species composition of silica-scaled chrysophytes and ecological parameters of their habitat in the Barguzin and Selenga River tributaries and delta in a high water level period. The number of registered taxa was significantly lower compared to the low water conditions (23 versus 66 species) and included the following genera with a given number of species: Chrysosphaerella – 1; Paraphysomonas – 2; Clathromonas – 1; Spiniferomonas – 3; Mallomonas – 9; Synura – 7. Mallomonas guttata and Synura borealis were identified in Russian waters for the first time. Thus, the corrected total list of silica-scaled chrysophytes in the Baikal Region includes 79 taxa. Though, the high water level reduced the total number of silica-scaled chrysophyte taxa, it made the water ecosystem more dynamic by enriching it with the entirely new species for this region.

Morphological differentiation of the otoliths of graylings from the Barguzin River and Lake Baikal

A comparative analysis of distinctive morphological features of sagittae in the Thymallus species from Lake Baikal and the Barguzin River has been done. The otolith shape was described using values of radii and the Fourier descriptors. It is demonstrated that the otoliths of Thymallus species have a similar structure. The otolith outline analysis allowed to differentiate the samplings according to the morphotypes that characterize them. No significant differences in length, width, perimeter and area of the otoliths in the Thymallus species have been identified. However some differences in the shape of otoliths were described in T. baicalolenensis; they had a less developed pararostrum and more salient ventral edge than the otoliths of T. baicalensis from the lakes Balan-Tamur and Baikal. The otolith shape analysis can be widely applied for basic research of microevolutionary processes, delimitation of natural populations and preservation of genetic diversity as well as for defining the structure of the commercial stock.

Dynamics of nutrient concentrations and eutrophication of the waters in Barguzin Bay (Lake Baikal)

We present the results of long-term studies of the nutrient concentrations in the Barguzin River and Barguzin Bay. The bay has specifics in the spatial distribution as well as seasonal and interannual dynamics of the nutrient concentrations. In the interannual aspect, the concentrations of mineral forms of nutrients decreased in the bay. Based on the total phosphorus concentration, the water in Barguzin Bay is classified as slightly polluted.

Assessment of heavy metals distribution in Barguzin River aquatic system (Lake Baikal basin)

This study is devoted to the analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the aquatic system of the Barguzin River. This is one of the largest rivers of the Baikal basin. The element composition of surface water, bottom sediments, water plants ( L., Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Hippuris vulgaris L., Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmelin) O. Kuntze) and fish (Abramis brama, Cyprinus rubrofuscus, Perca fluviatilis, Rutilus rutilus lacustris) of the Barguzin River is studied. The following sequence of the accumulation of metals in aquatic plants: Mn > Fe > u (Zn) > r > Ni > o > Pb > Cd > Hg is established. Hippuris vulgaris L. contains the highest concentration of the studied metals. In the distribution of metals over the body of the studied fish species the following sequence Zn Fe> Cu Mn Cr > Pb> Ni Cd> Hg is observed. There is an accumulation of zinc, manganese and chromium in fish scales, and iron, lead in the liver. The obtained data of the distribution of heavy metals broadens and clarify the understanding of the biochemical characteristics of aquatic system components. This research provides one of the important steps for the development of environmental standards and environmental risk assessments.

Растительные сообщества с Ulmus japonica (Ulmaceae) в Западном Забайкалье: распространение, значение для сохранения биоразнообразия и перспективы охраны

The East Asian tree Ulmus japonica (Rehder) Sarg. is a nemoral relict species for Western Transbaikalia (See Fig. 1). A few localities of this tree are known in the region, those in the lower reaches of the Selenga River (Yugovo site; Republic of Buryatia) and the Chikoy River (Zhindo site; Zabaikalskii Krai), remote from the main distribution area (See Fig. 2). The study aimed to verify the distribution of U. japonica and to estimate the value of U. japonica communities for biodiversity conservation in the region. Based on the data collected, we discussed some opportunities and suggested approaches for the protection of these unique ecosystems. During the fieldwork in 2018 and 2019, we studied all known localities of U. japonica in Western Transbaikalia and revealed a pleiad of new locations within the site Yugovo as well as a new location (the site Murochi) in the Chikoy River valley within the Republic of Buryatia (See Fig. 2 and 3). Information on the occurrence of U. japonica in the vicinity of Podlopatki village (in the Khilok River valley) was not confirmed. Also, our attempts to find this species at the site within the Barguzin River valley according to the label of the existing herbarium specimen failed. Based on 93 relevés, we examined species composition in woodlands where U. japonica is a codominant species and revealed the main features and peculiarities of the communities in the region. At all sites, monodominant coppices of U. japonica and coenoses where it is mixed with Padus avium Mill. occurred. Nevertheless, Ulmus japonica communities from the site Yugovo differ from those of Zhindo and Murochi in a greater phytocoenotic diversity and the composition of characteristic plant species. Additionally, at Yugovo rather xeromesophytic sparse communities where U. japonica is mixed with Pinus sylvestris L. and Betula platyphylla Sukaczev were found. Characteristic species of shrub and herbal layers at Yugovo site are Carex arnellii Christ ex Scheutz, Circaea lutetiana L., Elymus pendulinus (Nevski) Tzvelev, Festuca extremiorientalis Ohwi, Filipendula palmata (Pall.) Maxim., Hesperis sibirica L., Lamium album subsp. orientale Kamelin & A.L. Budantzev, whereas at Zhindo and Murochi they are Anemonidium dichotomum (L.) Holub, Carex sordida Van Heurck & Müll. Arg, Menispermum dauricum DC., Rhamnus davurica Pall., and Rubia cordifolia L. According to our studies supplemented with data from the literature sources, there are 16 species of vascular plants, lichens, beetles, and lepidopterans registered in Ulmus japonicaforests that are included in the Federal and/or in regional Red Data Books (See Table 1). We have revealed 31 additional rare and relict species of plants, fungi and insects (See Table 2). In total, 19 species were found in Western Transbaikalia or within this plant community type for the first time. The newly revealed rare and relict species could be recommended for listing in the regional Red Data Book or inclusion in the list of species of special surveillance. As a perspective of the protection of communities with U. japonica, we propose to maintain them as distinct clusters under the management of the existing protected areas. Namely, the site Yugovo can be protected as a separate cluster of the Baikal Natural Reserve, likewise, the protection of the site Zhindo can be managed by the Chikoy National Park. The newly discovered site Murochi might be included in the preliminarily proposed Russian-Mongolian trans-boundary Selenga protected area.

Accumulation of heavy metals in aquatic vegetation of the Barguzin River

This study is devoted to the analysis of the distribution of heavy metals in the aquatic system of the Barguzin River. This is one of the largest rivers of the Baikal lake system. The element composition of the aerial scion of Potamogeton pectinatus L. (syn. Stukenia pectinata (L.) Borner), Potamogeton perfoliatus L., Hippuris vulgaris L. and Nymphoides peltata (S.G. Gmelin) O. Kuntze of the Barguzin River is studied in this research. One of the main results of the study is the establishment of the following sequence of the accumulation of metals in aquatic plants: Mn > Fe > Сu (Zn) > Сr > Ni > Сo > Pb > Cd > Hg. Hippuris vulgaris L. contains the highest concentration of the studied metals. Thus, this research provides one of the important steps for the development of regional environmental standards and environmental risk assessments.

Notes on Bithynia contortrix Lindholm 1909 (Caenogastropoda, Bithynidae) from the Lake Baikal Region

Data on the freshwater gastropod Bithynia contortrix Lindholm, 1909 are presented for Lake Baikal and the Barguzin River basin. The data include references to the records of the species in the literature and the results of the studies on the morphology of the shell, radula, and copulatory organ.

Chemical composition of surface water in the main tributaries of Lake Baikal – the Selenga and the Barguzin Rivers

Lake Baikal is one of the oldest fresh water bodies on the planet, where the largest available water reserves are concentrated. River runoff plays an important role in the overall balance of substances entering the Lake. The Selenga River is the main tributary of Lake Baikal, in the basin of which, unlike other tributaries, a large number of industrial, agricultural, processing enterprises, settlements and cities are concentrated. The Barguzin River is the third largest river flowing into Lake Baikal, is the basin where intensive development in agriculture and forestry has undertaken. This paper presents the results of the analysis of surface water samples of the Selenga and Barguzin rivers collected during 2015-2016. In 2015, the water level for the Selenga and Barguzin rivers was characterized by extremely low water content, which caused an increase in the concentrations of major ions and trace elements in surface waters. The more favorable water regime in 2016 caused a significant decrease in ion concentrations. Maximum concentrations of iron and manganese are observed in winter and during flooding in the spring. In conditions of low water content, increased copper and zinc contents were also observed in the surface water of the Lake tributaries.

Changing of the riverine sediment load supply into Lake Baikal: The natural and anthropogenic causes (Russia)

The influences of natural and anthropogenic factors on temporal changes in sediment load of the main Baikal rivers (Upper Angara River and Barguzin River) were analyzed through the relationship between hydro-climatic parameters (air temperature, precipitation, water discharge and sediment load) and their variation tendencies for the periods of 1945–2014, 1945–1975 and 1976–2014. Mann–Kendall test, abrupt change test were employed to analyze the hydro-climatic data. The results indicated that the air temperature increased on 1.0–1.1 °C in the watersheds over the warming period (1976–2014), and the precipitation had an insignificant decreasing trend in this period, and the reduction was −2.6% and −4.9%. The statistically insignificant increasing in water discharge was 4.2% and 1.3% in the Upper Angara and Barguzin over the period 1976–2014, respectively. Meanwhile, there was a strong decrease in sediment load of −66% and −70%. The abrupt decrease the sediment load in the Upper Angara since the mid-1970s was caused by the combination of human activities in river basin and changes of natural processes. In the Barguzin basin, the significant anthropogenic impact against the background the changes of natural processes in the mid-1980s was began. In the Upper Angara, the period of rapid decline of sediment load from 1976 to 1984 continued, in the Barguzin – from 1976 to 1991, after that, the other regime of sediment load had established. In recent decades, the actual sediment load supply from the Upper Angara and Barguzin into Lake Baikal are 92 × 103 t y−1 and 27 × 103 t y−1 or 22% and 18% of the 1945–1975, respectively.

Transformation of the chemical composition of waters from the Barguzin River in the Barguzin Bay (Lake Baikal)

We have studied the changes in the chemical composition of the Bargizin River waters that inflow to Lake Baikal under the different water level. We have shown that river and lake waters that involved in the mixing differ in the ion composition and temperature. Despite this, the mixing in the Barguzin Bay under the influence of circulation currents and thermal barrier occurs in a comparatively narrow coastline, which is usually less than four kilometres. Mixed waters distribute north- and northwestward and reach the southern end of the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. In summer, the distribution scale of river waters in the bay becomes greater but is mainly limited to the surface layer. In the central part of the bay, within one-two kilometres from the river estuary, a lens of lake waters can form. Not only the change in the chemical composition and temperature of the water but also its colour indicate the influx of these waters. The change in the concentrations of individual ions at a distance from the estuary of the Barguzin River occurs linearly, which indicates ordinary dynamic mixing of river and lake water masses.