Frolikha Bay Research Articles

First data on lipids and microorganisms of deepwater endemic sponge Baikalospongia intermedia and sediments from hydrothermal discharge area of the Frolikha Bay (North Baikal, Siberia)

In this report, we study lipid components (fatty acids with various degrees of unsaturation, aldehydes and sterols) of deep-water sponges Baikalospongia intermedia and sediments sampled using deep-water manned submersibles “Mir” at a hydrothermal vent of Frolikha Bay at depths of 400–450 m. It was found that unsaturated fatty acids predominate in the FA-composition of the sponges: very long chain demospongic acid 26:3, as well as monounsaturated 24:1 and isomers of acids 16:1 and 18:1. Among the saturated fatty acids in addition to the stearic 18:0, palmitic 16:0 and heptadecanoic 17:0 acids, significant amounts of acids of microbial origin (iso-palmitic i16:0, isostearic i18:0, oxy-stearic 10 h18) were detected. Using the method of mass spectrometry of microbial markers, we conclude, that the main microbial components of sponges B. intermedia and sediments from Frolikha Bay are methanotrophic microorganisms.

Comparative analysis of the fatty acid composition of deep-water Baikal amphipods

Abstract In this report, we have compared the fatty acid composition of the endemic Lake Baikal amphipods Ommatogammarus albinus (Dybowsky, 1874) and Parapallasea lagowskii (Dybowsky, 1874). Specimens were sampled using the deep-water manned submersible “Mir” at the oil-methane seeps of Cape Gorevoy Utes and at a hydrothermal vent in Frolikha Bay. High levels of monounsaturated fatty acids and relatively low levels of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were detected in the studied amphipods, with oleic and palmitic acid representing the main fatty acid components. The habitat of the amphipods exerted a profound effect on their fatty acid profile: the amphipods of Gorevoy Utes contained higher levels of linolenic 18:3n3 and arachidonic 20:4n6 acids, while the amphipods of Frolikha Bay contained higher levels of eicosapentaenoic 20:5n3 and docosahexaenoic 22:6n3 acid. Based on these findings, we suggest that the amphipods’ diet in different areas of Lake Baikal determines their fatty acid composition.

Communities of the cottoid fish (Cottoidei) in the areas of hydrothermal vents and cold seeps of the abyssal zone of Baikal Lake

The hydrothermal vent in Frolikha Bay and the methane cold seep “Saint Petersburg” in Baikal Lake are characterized by the highly productive communities of the aquatic invertebrates and cottoid fish (Cottoidei). The benthic and pelagic ichthyofauna of the vent comprises twelve key species belonging to eight genera, while that of the seep comprise eight species (six genera belonging to three families). The only one obligate hydrothermal species, N. thermalis, has been found; it dominated by abundance (91.6% of total abundance) in Frolikha Bay. N. werestschagini dominated in the cold seep community (39.5%). The spatial distribution of the fish around the hydrothermal vents and the cold seeps was patchy. The largest schoolings has been observed in two biotopes, in the areas of the silty bottom sediments and at the areas covered by the bacterial mats, as well as in the near-bottom water layer.

Clitellate communities in anomalous region of Lake Baikal, Eastern Siberia (Russia)

AbstractIn this paper, we described the clitellate fauna from an underwater hydrothermal vent zone in Frolikha Bay (Northern Baikal), where a unique community of oligochaetes dominate the zoobenthic communities. In total, twenty one oligochaete species were collected and of these, 19 species belong to the Naididae (former Tubificidae). In addition, one species belonging to the Propappidae,

Deep-water fauna of Oligochaeta (Annelida, Clitellata) near hydrothermal spring of the Frolikha Bay, Northern Baikal (East Siberia, Russia)

Deep-water fauna of Oligochaeta (Annelida, Clitellata) near hydrothermal spring of the Frolikha Bay, Northern Baikal (East Siberia, Russia)

Colorless sulfur bacteria Thioploca from different sites in Lake Baikal

The colorless sulfur bacteria Thioploca spp. found in Lake Baikal are probably a marker for the influx of subterranean mineralized fluids. Bacteria act as a biological filter; by consuming sulfide in their metabolism, they detoxicate it and maintain the purity of Lake Baikal's water. The bacteria were investigated by various techniques. According to analysis of the 16S rRNA gene fragment, Thioploca sp. from Frolikha Bay, Baikal belongs to the clade of freshwater species found in Lake Biwa and Lake Constance; it is most closely related to Thioploca ingrica.

Speciation and chromosomal evolution of the Baikalian endemic chironomids of the genus Sergentia Kief. (Diptera, Chironomidae): Karyotype divergence and chromosomal polymorphism in the populations of eurybathic species Sergentia flavodentata Tshern. and littoral species Sergentia baicalensis Tshern

Specific karyotype structure and chromosomal polymorphism was investigated in the populations of the Baikalian endemic chironomid species, eurybathic Sergentia flavodentata Tshernovskij, 1949 and littoral Sergentia baicalensis Tshernovskij, 1949. In addition to two fluctuating homozygous inversions in arms A and E, both species were characterized by species-specific karyotype features, namely, nucleolar organizer in the region 1 of chromosome IV in S. flavodentata, and inversion in arm F in S. baicalensis. Moreover, S. baicalensis demonstrated the presence of intraspecific population polymorphism. The populations differing in the presence of secondary overlapping inversion in arm A were found. The highest number of chromosomal rearrangements (7) was detected in S. flavodentata. Most of these rearrangements (six) were found in the population from the underwater thermal spring at a depth of 420 to 430 m (Northern Baikal, Frolikha Bay). In the populations from Middle and Southern Baikal, a rare pericentric inversion in chromosome I was described. In S. baicalensis, in addition to two common heterozygous inversions in arms C and F, disturbance of homologous pairing in different regions of the remaining arms were often detected. Stable chromosomal polymorphism preserved during 13 years in the population of S. flavodentata from the region of hydrothermal venting, serves as an evidence of high genetic plasticity of the species, which favors successful colonization of different Baikal depths and biotopes.

Bottom sediments and pore waters near a hydrothermal vent in Lake Baikal (Frolikha Bay)

We discuss the redox environments and the compositions of bottom sediments and sedimentary pore waters in the region of a hydrothermal vent in Frolikha Bay, Lake Baikal. According to our results, the submarine vent and its companion nearby spring on land originate from a common source. The most convincing evidence for their relation comes from the proximity of stable oxygen and hydrogen isotope compositions in pore waters and in the spring water. The isotope composition indicates a meteoric origin of pore waters, but their major- and minor-element chemistry bears imprint of deep water which may seep through permeable faulted crust. Although pore waters near the submarine vent have a specific enrichment in major and minor constituents, hydrothermal discharge at the Baikal bottom causes a minor impact on the lake water chemistry, unlike the case of freshwater geothermal lakes in the East-African Rift and North America.

Bacterial Processes of the Methane Cycle in Bottom Sediments of Lake Baikal

The activity of methanogenic and methanotrophic bacteria was evaluated in bottom sediments of Lake Baikal. Methane concentration in Baikal bottom sediments varied from 0.0053 to 81.7 ml/dm3. Bacterial methane was produced at rates of 0.0004–534.7 μl CH4/(dm3 day) and oxidized at rates of 0.005–1180 μl CH4/(dm3 day). Peak methane production and oxidation were observed in Frolikha Bay near a methane vent. Methane was emitted into water at rates of 49.2–4340 μl CH4/(m2 day). Rates of bacterial methane oxidation in near-bottom water layers ranged from 0.002 to 1.78 μl/(l day). Methanogens and methanotrophs were found to play an important role in the carbon cycle through all layers of sediments, particularly in the areas of methane vent and gas-hydrate occurrence.

On deep circulation of meteoric waters within Baikal Rift

Anomalies in pore water (PW) composition have been found in the 100 m-long core BDP-93 that was drilled in Southern Lake Baikal, in four piston cores taken from the same region, and in recent sediments from Frolikha Bay, a hydrothermal vent site in Northern Lake Baikal. PW anoma- lies are manifested as significant increases in concentrations of sulphates, bicarbonates, chlorides, and the ions of alkali and alkali-earth metals, in some cases, in the appearance of specific minor elements. These increases are recorded at sin- gle depths within a core. Anomalies were found at different depths below the sediment-water interface (from centimetres to tens of meters) and the level of pore water enrichment by these components varies from station to station. Anomalies have specific features in each of the lake basins. It is shown that there is a genetic relationship between sub-aquatic and terrestrial centres of thermal-water discharge in Northern Lake Baikal. PW data obtained in Frolikha Bay exemplify a sub-aquatic hydrothermal water discharge occur- ring in the lake. These anomalous PW concentrations pre- sumably are due to the leaching of ambient sediments. In ad- dition, some fraction of the sulphates, halogens, and minor elements may have multiple geneses, including the input of fluids from deep zones of the earth's crust and mantle that oc- cur through the fault system in areas of tectonic breakdowns. In Southern Lake Baikal, in the Selenga River delta, ground waters of specific composition that are relics of an- cient salt lakes could serve as a source of anomalous concen- trations in PW components. Their influence may be realized through the extensive zones of increased permeability. Effect of "vagabonding sieves" could contribute to the penetration of water fluids through friable deposits, including clay-rich sediments. This effect may be of great importance in the seismically active Baikal rift zone.

Ecophysiological Characteristics of the Mat-forming Bacterium Thioplocain Bottom Sediments of the Frolikha Bay, Northern Baikal

A colorless sulfur bacterium of the genus Thioploca, which forms bacterial mats, was studied in the region of underwater thermal vents (Frolikha Bay, northern Baikal). The organism occurs under microaerobic conditions in top sediment layers, and its biomass can amount to 65 mg of wet weight per 1 kg of silt. Individual filaments of the bacterium penetrate the anaerobic zone to the depth of 19 cm. Thioplocais distributed in a mosaic pattern over the bottom of the bay. Thioplocamats are typically found near vents that discharge low-temperature underground water. In the form of separate filaments, this bacterium is more widely distributed in the top sediment layer, particularly in sediments with a more active sulfate reduction. The bacteria from the deep-water and coastal areas of the bay have different morphology. Cells of Thioplocaare able to accumulate nitrate, and the coefficient of nitrate accumulation in wet bacterial mass in relation to the near-bottom water is 1.3 × 104, suggesting a similarity of metabolism with seawater species. A more lightweight isotopic composition of nitrogen in cell mass as compared to that of representatives of zoobenthos also indicates an active metabolism of nitrogen, apparently, in the process of nitrogen respiration. Comparison of the composition of stable isotopes of carbon in the biomass of representatives of different trophic levels, including Thioploca, found at a depth of 105 m indicates its planktonic origin, whereas, in the deeper bay region, the biomass of Thioplocaincorporates more of the light carbon originating from biogenic methane.

The Frolikha Fan; a large Pleistocene glaciolacustrine outwash fan in northern Lake Baikal, Siberia

ABSTRACT New high-resolution seismic reflection data off the NE shore of Lake Baikal indicate intimate relations between recurrent late Pleistocene glaciations onshore and lacustrine sedimentation processes offshore. The basin floors bordering the most extensively glaciated regions of the lake margin are characterized by large sublacustrine fans. Extending over 20 km in diameter, the Frolikha Fan is among the largest fans in northern Lake Baikal. Morphologically the fan consists of three parts: the upper fan, which is marked by a prominent single-leveed channel, the middle fan, consisting of smaller distributary channels (without levees) associated with convex fan lobes, and the lower fan, which is poorly developed and characterized by a transition of lobate sedimentary units into basin-plain or bottom-current channel deposits. The extremely steep morphology of the Frolikha Fan, internal seismic characteristics, and in particular the depositional geometry and seismic signature of the upper fan division indicate that the fan formed during glacial periods in a proglacial depositional environment. In fact, large moraines onshore Frolikha Bay document multiple Pleistocene glaciations down to and beyond the present-day shoreline into the lake basin. It is therefore very likely that the Frolikha Fan developed in response to the recurrent late Pleistocene advances of valley glaciers into Lake Baikal.

Bottomwater formation due to hydrothermal activity in Frolikha Bay, Lake Baikal, eastern Siberia

Hydrothermal water enters Frolikha Bay, a well-known site of high geothermal heat flux in the northern part of Lake Baikal, at 400 m depth. On the basis of CTD profiles, the hydrothermal water is identified as forming an anomalous bottom layer with a higher temperature (>0.15 °C) and salinity (>2.5 mg · kg −1) than the overlying water. Due to the entrainment of lake water, a distinct dense water layer up to 40 m thick, stabilised by its slightly higher salinity, becomes established close to the bottom of the bay. The density current thus generated flows out of the bay towards the deeper parts of the basin. Since helium isotope analysis shows that the geochemical characteristics of the hydrothermal water are similar to those of water from nearby hot springs on land, the bottomwater of Frolikha Bay is easily interpreted in terms of the mixing of ordinary fresh water from the lake and hydrothermal water carrying isotopically heavy He from the continental crust. Because of its high crustal He content, a similar hydrothermal component may even be identified in the open water of the northern basin.

Thermal springs in Lake Baikal

Research Article| June 01, 1992 Thermal springs in Lake Baikal Wayne C. Shanks, III; Wayne C. Shanks, III 1U.S. Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Edward Callender Edward Callender 1U.S. Geological Survey, 954 National Center, Reston, Virginia 22092 Search for other works by this author on: GSW Google Scholar Geology (1992) 20 (6): 495–497. https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0495:TSILB>2.3.CO;2 Article history first online: 02 Jun 2017 Cite View This Citation Add to Citation Manager Share Icon Share Facebook Twitter LinkedIn MailTo Tools Icon Tools Get Permissions Search Site Citation Wayne C. Shanks, Edward Callender; Thermal springs in Lake Baikal. Geology 1992;; 20 (6): 495–497. doi: https://doi.org/10.1130/0091-7613(1992)020<0495:TSILB>2.3.CO;2 Download citation file: Ris (Zotero) Refmanager EasyBib Bookends Mendeley Papers EndNote RefWorks BibTex toolbar search Search Dropdown Menu toolbar search search input Search input auto suggest filter your search All ContentBy SocietyGeology Search Advanced Search Abstract Pore waters extracted from sediment cores were analyzed for their oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions and major ion chemistry to determine the source of water from a vent area for diffuse lake-bottom thermal springs or seeps in Frolikha Bay, northeastern Lake Baikal. The δ18O values of pore waters range from -15.2‰ to -16.7‰, and δD values range from -119‰ to -126‰ (both isotopes determined relative to standard mean ocean water [SMOW]). Bottom water in Lake Baikal has a δ18O value of -5.6‰ and a δD value of -120‰ Pore waters in the vent area are significantly enriched in Mg, B, Ca, and especially Na and have the lowest δD and δ18O values; these pore waters are isotopically and chemically distinct from pore waters in other, more typical parts of the lake. The pore-water isotopic data fall on a local meteoric water line, and covariations in water isotopes and chemistry are not consistent with evaporation or hydrothermal water-rock interaction. The thermal springs represent discharging meteoric waters that have been gently heated during subsurface circulation and are largely unaltered isotopically. Chemical variations are most likely due to dissolution of subsurface evaporites. This content is PDF only. Please click on the PDF icon to access. First Page Preview Close Modal You do not have access to this content, please speak to your institutional administrator if you feel you should have access.