Lake Baikal Ecosystem Faces the Threat of Eutrophication

Significant local eutrophication is occurring in two major bays of Lake Baikal, the world's oldest and deepest freshwater lake. Research conducted in July 2012 revealed alarming levels of algal biomass, including up to 70 kg/m³ of Spirogyra species in Barguzinsky Bay and dense accumulations of Elodea canadensis (up to 26 kg/m²) along Chivyrkuisky Bay's shoreline. The study also documented massive growth of colorless flagellates, cryptomonads, and cyanobacterial Anabaena species, indicating nutrient enrichment in these areas. This process poses a threat to Lake Baikal's unique ecosystem, necessitating urgent monitoring, identification of eutrophication sources, and development of mitigation strategies.

Kobanova, G. I., Takhteev, V. V., Rusanovskaya, O. O., & Timofeyev, M. A. (2016). Lake Baikal Ecosystem Faces the Threat of Eutrophication. International Journal of Ecology, 2016, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/6058082