Southern Baikal Region Research Articles

Features of Temporal Variability of the Concentrations of Gaseous Trace Pollutants in the Air of the Urban and Rural Areas in the Southern Baikal Region (East Siberia, Russia)

This article presents the results of the automatic monitoring of the concentrations of gaseous impurities of sulfur and nitrogen oxides in the ground-level atmosphere of the urban and rural areas in the Southern Baikal region (East Siberia, Russia). The study was conducted from 2020 to 2023 at the urban Irkutsk station and the rural Listvyanka station located at a distance of 70 km from each other. We calculated the main statistical characteristics of the variations in the concentrations of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide in the ground-level atmosphere and determined a nature of variability in their concentrations on various time scales: annual, weekly, and daily. Annual variabilities of gaseous pollutants in the ground-level atmosphere above the Irkutsk city and the Listvyanka settlement were similar and showed the highest values in winter and the lowest in summer. The daily and weekly dynamics of the nitrogen oxide concentrations in the urban area clearly depended on the increase in the road traffic during rush hours (morning and evening). In the rural area, there was no such dependence. In this area, the daily and weekly variability in the concentrations of nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxide mainly depended on natural meteorological processes. The work systematizes the meteorological parameters at which the largest amount of anthropogenic impurities enters the air basin of Lake Baikal. The maximum values of acid-forming gas concentrations were observed when the air masses were transferred from the northwest direction, which corresponds to the location of sources in the territory of the Irkutsk–Cheremkhovo industrial hub—the largest concentration of anthropogenic objects in the Irkutsk region.

Efficient technology for manufacturing electrical ceramics from low-iron diopside rocks

Relevance. The use of natural diopside CaMgSi2O6 in the production of ceramic dielectrics was implemented at two enterprises in the Chelyabinsk region in 1985 on the basis of comprehensive studies of diopside rocks of the Southern Baikal region by the team of the Department of Silicate Technology of Tomsk Polytechnic University. Natural diopside was used as an additive to the charge of electrical porcelain. In addition, ceramic dielectrics with a diopside crystalline phase were manufactured for exploitation at the frequencies of 106 Hz. Currently, the need for ceramic dielectrics in Russia is covered by imports. Though, the development of new technologies for ceramic dielectrics from domestic raw materials is relevant. Aim. To develop an efficient technology for ceramic dielectrics with a diopside crystalline phase from natural low-iron diopside rocks. This technology includes the production of compacts of unfired products by moulding aqueous suspensions of compositions of nonplastic components. Object. The technology of ceramic dielectrics with a diopside crystalline phase, including the firing of compacts formed from aqueous suspensions of diopside concentrate compositions with perlite as flux. Methods. The suspension was obtained by grinding the components in an aqueous environment in a ball mill with uralite balls at humidity of 20±2%. Compressive and bending strength, electrical strength, dielectric constant of the samples were determined according to the SS 24409-80, water absorption was measured according to the SS 26093-84. X-ray phase analysis was carried out on a DRON-3M diffractometer (Burevestnik, Russia), structure analysis was implemented on a JSM 6000 electron microscope (Jeol, Japan). Results. A distinctive feature of the proposed technology is the use of nonplastic components only to prepare the suspension and the exclusion of clay components. This makes it possible to reduce the humidity of the castings and stabilize the formation of the ceramic structure during firing. The authors have obtained ceramic dielectric with a diopside content of 70±2 wt % by firing products molded at 1130–1150°C. The bending strength reached 85–90 MPa with an electrical strength of 35–38 k V/mm2.

Biogeochemistry of Peat Deposits of the Holocene Section of the Vydrino Bog (Southern Baikal Region)

Biogeochemistry of Peat Deposits of the Holocene Section of the Vydrino Bog (Southern Baikal Region)

Quality of drinking water and risk to the health of the population of the south Baikal region (Russia)

Providing good quality water in sufficient quantities is a major challenge in the world. The purpose of the study is to assess the quality of drinking water and the health risk of various population groups in the southern Baikal region (Siberia, Russia) under changing hydrological conditions. Lake Baikal is the largest freshwater body of water and is one of the sites protected by UNESCO. Materials and methods. An analysis of centralized and non-centralized water supply was carried out in the south-eastern part of the Irkutsk region, adjacent to Lake Baikal. The data used are from the Baikal (regional) Information Center for 2011–2022, and they include the results of monitoring the water quality of the centralized domestic and drinking water supply (CDW) with 140 thousand samples, and non-centralized domestic and drinking water supply (NDW) with 108 thousand samples. In all samples, 17 substances were determined. In addition, during the flood period, accompanied by additional water disinfection, trihalomethanes were determined in populated areas exposed to negative impacts. The quality of drinking water was assessed in comparison with the maximum permissible concentrations of substances (MPCs) approved by regulatory documents of Russia. An assessment of the characteristics of drinking water consumption by the population of the Baikal region was carried out, based on interview data from sample groups of the population. The assessment of the risk to public health, due to chronic oral intake of chemicals, was carried out using the values of the hazard coefficient (HQi), the hazard index (HI), individual carcinogenic risk (ICR), and population carcinogenic risk (PCR).Village residents more often use underground water sources (centralized and non-centralized). Residents of cities are provided with water from surface sources (Lake Baikal and the Angara River). Significant concentrations of iron, nitrates, and manganese were found in drinking water used by villagers. Average concentrations of iron - 2.25 mg/dl, manganese - 0.6 mg/dl, nitrates - 135 mg/dl were recorded in the water of underground springs in villages of the Irkutsk region. Among rural residents of the Irkutsk region, 60.8 % live in settlements with non-water supply systems, 28.4 % have mixed water supply.The non-carcinogenic risk for the adult and child population was calculated; HI > 1 was identified for the population using underground water sources. the non-carcinogenic hazard for the adult population, it was found that HI in the Irkutsk region slightly exceeded the standard value (1), amounting to 1.3, and for the child population - 1.6, the main contribution to the hazard index is represented by nitrates. For children of individual rural settlements of the Angarsk region HI = 1.38. The carcinogenic risk for water from underground sources reached in the range 1.56 × 10−5- 2.1 × 10−4 (in some settlements). Priority carcinogens were identified: arsenic (the contribution of which is 56.3–100 %), hexavalent chromium (29.9–35.8 %). A carcinogenic risk for city residents arises from increased disinfection during periods of microbiological contamination (floods, rains, high water levels), and it is associated with the formation of halogen-containing compounds. ConclusionThe need to strengthen the drinking water quality monitoring system in risk areas has been proven by increasing the number and frequency of sampling during flood periods.

Biochemical composition of fruit must from small-fruit apple varieties grown in the Southern Baikal Region

Most climatic zones of the Russian Federation include vast apple plantations that serve as the primary source of raw materials for the production of cider and fruit alcoholic beverages. The technological potential of new apple varieties in the production of fruit alcoholic beverages is understudied. The present study aims to examine the chemical composition (including the fractional composition of sugars and organic acids) of fruit must from small-fruit apple varieties grown in the Southern Baikal region and to identify the most suitable varieties for cider production.The biochemical composition of must was determined via conventional methods as per state standards. Smallfruit semi-cultivars grown in the Southern Baikal Region are characterized by variability in the content of extractive substances. In different years, the fruit of the same variety accumulates different amounts of dissolved solids (12.5–14.5%), primarily sugars (109.3–135.3 g/dm3). Among sugars, fructose is the most abundant (over 50%), followed by glucose. The proportion of disaccharides in the composition of sugars in the fruits of different varieties ranges from 9.1 to 21.5%. The concentration of organic acids in the studied varieties ranges from 7.2 to 13.0 g/dm3. The detected organic acids include malic acid (up to 83.4%), citric acid (up to 6.7%), lactic acid (up to 6.4%), succinic acid (up to 2.5%), as well as trace amounts of tartaric and acetic acids. The amount of phenolic compounds in the specimens varies from 522.5 to 1704.6 mg/dm3. The studied semi-cultivars were classified as sharp and bittersharp cider apple varieties.

Moderate Earthquakes (M = 4.1–4.8) in 2011–2019 in the Area of the Goloustnaya River Delta (Southern Baikal Region): A Detailed Analysis

Moderate Earthquakes (M = 4.1–4.8) in 2011–2019 in the Area of the Goloustnaya River Delta (Southern Baikal Region): A Detailed Analysis

Variability of the Ground Concentration of Particulate Matter PM1–PM10 in the Air Basin of the Southern Baikal Region

Variability of the Ground Concentration of Particulate Matter PM1–PM10 in the Air Basin of the Southern Baikal Region

Peatland history under post-glacial climate changes in the southern Baikal region: Biogeochemical evidence from the Vydrino Bog (Tankhoi piedmont plain)

The paper presents new data and reviews previously obtained results on the late glacial to Holocene history of peatlands in the southern part of the Baikal region under conditions of regional climate changes. To better understand climate signals, we have combined vegetation and geochemical variation data in 4.6 m thick peat deposits in the Vydrino bog located on the Tankhoi piedmont plain south of Lake Baikal. The territory has been swamped since 13.1 cal ka BP when the peatland started developing as a fen upon a sedimentary substrate. The 13.1–9.5 cal kyr climate record included two events of warming separated by an excursion of dry cold climate. Warming continued till 9.0 cal ka BP and eutrophic peat formation occurred in favorable temperature and moisture conditions. Another warming episode between 9.0 and 8.4 cal ka BP ended up with the Holocene climate optimum while the bog became mesotrophic. About 7.3–6.5 cal ka BP, the temperature and moisture inputs were no longer optimal for fir and spruce forests in the Vydrino area, which led to dramatic changes in landscape and vegetation. The wet and warm climate gradually became drier and colder from 6.5 to 2.3 cal ka BP, with a brief warm excursion about 5.5–5.3 cal ka BP. The peat deposition was interrupted in a cold climate from ∼2.3 cal ka BP to ∼0.7 cal ka BP, and the bog became oligotrophic afterwards. The newly obtained data allowed us to compare the paleoclimatic indicators available for the south Baikal region to determine their compatibility and inconsistency. In addition, we provide a general view to the quality of the climate and environmental reconstructions in the Baikal region by comparison of the data on its peatland study.

ПОЛИЦИКЛИЧЕСКИЕ АРОМАТИЧЕСКИЕ УГЛЕВОДОРОДЫ И ЧАСТИЦЫ PM10, PM2,5, PM1,0 В АТМОСФЕРЕ ЮЖНОГО ПРИБАЙКАЛЬЯ

The study presents the data on concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), coarse (PM10, PM2.5) and submicron (PM1.0) particles in the atmosphere over the southern Baikal region at two monitoring stations (urban (Irkutsk) and rural (Listvyanka village)) in 2019-2022. Seasonal dynamics and high correlations between their concentrations are revealed. It was found out that PAHs are mainly sorbed on coarse particles in the atmosphere over Irkutsk and on submicron particles in Listvyanka. The total concentration of 21 PAHs varied at the stations from 1-3 ng/m3 in summer to 35-50 ng/m3 in winter, with an average annual value approximately 20 ng/m3. High concentrations in all seasons were determined for fluoranthene, pyrene, benzo[b]fluoranthene, benzo[k]fluoranthene, and phenanthrene. The calculated equivalent of aerosol toxicity in the atmosphere over Irkutsk increased from summer to winter with a growing contribution of benzo[a]pyrene exceeding maximum permissible concentration (MPC) by 8 times. The mass concentration during the year varied from 13 to 180 µg/m3 for PM10, from 4 to 121 µg/m3 for PM2.5, from 4 to 118 µg/m3 for PM1.0. Exceeding the MPC for PM2.5 by 1.1-3.4 times was recorded in Irkutsk from November to May. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs and the factor analysis identified the main sources of air pollution by this class of compounds over the southern Baikal region, which are combustion of coal, liquid fuel, and firewood, and also motor transport emissions.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0 Particles in the Atmosphere over the Southern Baikal Region

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and PM10, PM2.5, PM1.0 Particles in the Atmosphere over the Southern Baikal Region

Forms of mercury in soils and its accumulation by herbs in the zone of influence of the sludge storage of a chlor-alkali plant (Southern Baikal region)

Forms of mercury in soils and its accumulation by herbs in the zone of influence of the sludge storage of a chlor-alkali plant (Southern Baikal region)

Stability of the Population System of B Chromosomes of the Korean Field Mouse Apodemus peninsulae (Mammalia, Rodentia) in the Southern Baikal Region: 35 Years of Observations

Stability of the Population System of B Chromosomes of the Korean Field Mouse Apodemus peninsulae (Mammalia, Rodentia) in the Southern Baikal Region: 35 Years of Observations

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Atmosphere of the Southern Baikal Region (Russia): Sources and Relationship with Meteorological Conditions

This article presents the results of the long-term studies at two stations located in the city of Irkutsk and the Listvyanka settlement of the southern Baikal region (East Siberia) concerning the concentration of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in atmospheric aerosol. The studies revealed the seasonal and interannual dynamics in the distribution of PAHs in aerosols from urban (source) and rural (receptor) areas. We carried out a comprehensive analysis of weather conditions such as wind direction, relative humidity, air temperature, and atmospheric pressure. The analysis determined high correlations between air temperature, atmospheric pressure, temperature inversions, and PAHs at the monitoring stations. The average annual concentrations of PAHs in the abnormally warm 2020 were three times lower than the average values obtained in the cold 2016. The toxic equivalent concentrations (BaPeq) increased from summer to winter with an increase in the contribution from benzo(a)pyrene, one of the most toxic and hazardous compounds of this class of organic substances. Four-, five- and six-ring PAHs mainly predominated in aerosol; the proportion of two- and three-ring PAHs increased from the warm season to the cold season. Diagnostic ratios of PAHs identified the main sources of air pollution by this class of compounds: combustion of coal, liquid fuel and firewood, vehicle emissions, and wildfires. The percentage of the transport of anthropogenic aerosol containing PAHs from industrial sources of the Southern Baikal region towards Lake Baikal was 65 to 71%.

Application of sociological methods in a comprehensive research of the socio-environmental problems of tourist territories

Tourism is one of economic activity that has been most affected by restrictions, connected with the COVID-19 pandemic, which in 2020–2021 has become the main factor in shaping the demand for the tourist product. As a result of quarantine restrictions, the number of tourists and the structure of the tourist flow have changed. The pandemic has impact on recreational activities in the Southern Baikal region (Slyudyansky district of the Irkutsk region) which is the study area. During the field research in the summer (beach and hiking) and winter (mountain skiing) tourist seasons sociological studies (questionnaires and interviews) of recreants were carried out. The tourist geographical spread was defined, as well as the attitude to the social and natural conditions of the territory was found such as safety, tourist infrastructure development, availability of recreational services and products, climate, landscapes beauty, etc. During the pandemic, the geographical spread of tourists narrowed mainly to the Irkutsk-Cheremkhovo agglomeration, foreign tourists practically didn’t come. However, closed borders and domestic tourism subsidization drawn attention to holidays on Baikal for tourists from the western part of Russia, who had before chosen recreation abroad and during the pandemic didn’t cancel trips, but to change the geography of their holidays. Besides air travel, a significant proportion of tourists used personal cars to arrive at their holiday destination. It was established that the pandemic the tourist age ratios has changed in the rejuvenation direction. In the course of the opinion poll, tourists noted the high landscape aesthetic appeal of recreation areas, but the recreational infrastructure, in their opinion, isn’t sufficiently prepared for quality recreation. The results will be forwarded to the Slyudyansky district administration for adjusting measures related to the development of recreational infrastructure.

Cтруктурно-петрологическая эволюция Cнежнинского габбро-сиенитового массива (Южное Прибайкалье)

The article deals with the structural and petrological evolution of one of the many gabbroid massifs of the Southern Baikal region - Snezhninsky, located near the river of the same name, characterized by the most typical structural and metamorphic paragenesis: comfort with layering of containing rocks, located in a steep twisted wing of asymmetrical folds of latitudinal extension with horizontal hinges and axial planes inclined to the north. the array is complicated by a longitudinal oblique upsurge with a powerful zone of tectonites. The northwestern end of the massif is complicated by the upsurge of the northeastern extension. To a depth, the massif sinks to 4-5 km and there is cut off by another fault of the northwestern extension. The internal structure of the array is characterized by a rather monotonous development of small structural forms: the structures of the magma flow, emphasized by the elongation of flat xenoliths, the asymmetrical folds of the right pattern in the plan, the gradual intertransitions between all varieties of rocks composing the array, indicating a significant warming of all rocks during their formation and assimilation.

Рыбопромысловый потенциал Южного Байкала в аспекте развития туризма и ограничений рыбного промысла

The article considers eco-economic aspects of using the fishing capacity of the basin of South Baikal in the framework of the development of tourism of the coastal territory within Slyudyansky Municipal District of Irkutsk Oblast and within the entire southern Baikal Region. The article proposes to more strongly focus on developing sport and recreational fishing in this most developed area of Lake Baikal.
 The eco-economic and legal analysis carried out by the authors allows them to conclude that the traditional regulation of the stock of omul in Baikal by determining the total allowable catches and quotas is not effective enough, since it has led to the prohibition of not only industrial but also limitation of sport and recreational fishing for omul. At the same time, there is no reliable data that recreational fishing along the southern coast of Baikal is the reason for the decrease in the total stocks of omul in Baikal. On the contrary, the South Baikal fishing area can become the basis for a more dynamic development of the tourism industry in the region, including such types of it as cognitive tourism, ecological tourism and sports and recreational one. Moreover, it is the South Baikal fishing area and the coastal territory of Slyudyansky Municipal District that can become a testing site for developing more optimal (considering the specifics of various areas of Lake Baikal) ecological approaches to the regulation, rational use and reproduction of the stock of omul in Baikal for the purposes of sport and recreational fishing at Lake Baikal, as well as development of an environmentally friendly tourism industry in the region.
 The authors propose to review the strategy of fishery development of the stocks of omul at Lake Baikal and remove restrictions on recreational fishing, accompanying this with organizational and legal measures that allow obtaining reliable statistical data on catches. Precisely in this most economically developed area of Lake Baikal it is advisable to practice the organizational and legal mechanisms for the environmentally friendly development of tourist and recreational activities based on the available water bioresources of the unique lake.

Seismic Effects and Anomalous Animal Behavior: Case Study of the September 21, 2020, Mw 5.5 Bystraya Earthquake (Southern Baikal Region)

Seismic Effects and Anomalous Animal Behavior: Case Study of the September 21, 2020, Mw 5.5 Bystraya Earthquake (Southern Baikal Region)

Use of organomineral sewage sludge for recultivation of disturbed by mining and processing industry lands

The paper is devoted to the study of the use of organic-mineral waste from the pulp and paper industry for the land and dumps restoration disturbed by the mining and processing industry. The examination of the chemical, agrochemical and toxicological properties of the dumps of the Verninsky GOK were carried out. It showed their toxicity to the environment and the need for restoration. It is proposed to use soil moisture obtained from frozen colloidal sediments of sludge-lignin of the Baikal PPM OJSC (BPPM) to intensify the restoration succession. It reduces the toxic effect of dumps on higher plants and introduces the necessary nutrients. At the same time, the use of the obtained soil moistures will make it possible not only to restore lands disturbed by the mining and processing industry, but also to utilize the accumulated waste of JSC BPPM, which creates a huge socio-ecological threat for Lake Baikal and the entire Southern Baikal region.

Variations in Radon Activity in the Groundwater of the Southern Baikal Region: Emanation Response of Earthquakes

Variations in Radon Activity in the Groundwater of the Southern Baikal Region: Emanation Response of Earthquakes

The Bystrinskoe Earthquake in the Southern Baikal Region (21 September 2020, M w = 5.4): Main Parameters, Precursors, and Accompanying Effects

Abstract ––We present the preliminary results of a study of the Bystrinskoe earthquake, which occurred in the southern Baikal region on 21 September 2020 and was accompanied by shaking with an intensity of VI–VII on the MSK-64 scale in the epicentral area and with an intensity of V in large cities of southern East Siberia (Irkutsk, Angarsk, Usolye-Sibirskoe, Zakamensk, etc.). A preliminary characteristic of the seismic event is given on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of seismological, structural-tectonic, strain, emanation, and hydrogeochemical data obtained during the monitoring of hazardous geologic processes in the Baikal natural territory. We have estimated the seismologic parameters of the Bystrinskoe earthquake, characterized the accompanying phenomena, and identified the effects that are of interest as probable precursors of future strong earthquakes in the Baikal region. The data obtained suggest that the earthquake occurred in the zone of the Main Sayan Fault as a result of strike-slip movement along the W–NW fault. The earthquake focus was apparently located at a shallow depth, as evidenced by the duration of the shocks, macroseismic manifestations, and the strong rumble heard at different directions from the epicenter.