A paper examining the use of passive microwave radiometry focuses on how use of that technology makes it possible to monitor many hydrologic parameters of lakes, despite the existence of a snow-ice cover at their surface. More specifically, the measurement of thermal emissions in the microwave range of the spectrum is used to identify the existence in surface ice cover of liquid and gas inclusions related to bottom gas release and water mineralization differences. Natural thermal emissions of two endoric, seasonally saline lakes in East Siberia are surveyed aerially with nonscanning microwave radiometers at wavelengths of 0.8 and 2.3 cm, with particular emphasis on the monitoring of changes in salinity based on changes in ice emissivity. Similar measurements then are made for a series of freshwater lakes in the same general area to determine whether comparable results are obtained. Translated by Edward Torrey, Alexandria, VA 22308 from: Geografiya i prirodnyye resursy, 1994, No. 1, pp. 170-175.