Metal Composition of Surface Waters of the Southern Baikal Region and the Connection with Landscape and Geological Conditions

Abstract

The metal composition of water and bottom sediments of the southern tributaries of Lake Baikal has been studied, and the water migration coefficients have been calculated. A regional zoning scheme is compiled according to the ability to supply a given composition of waters. Significant differentiation of the Baikal waters and its main tributaries by mineralization, the predominant macro-, and trace elements is found. The comparison of coefficients of aquatic migration based on metal composition of waters and sediments shows that the coefficient values calculated for macro elements are close in the southern and main tributaries, and the values calculated for microelements differ sharply. The reason is the presence of sources of solutes (rocks and deep groundwater) with a composition uncharacteristic for the respective landscapes. The contribution of southern tributaries to the macro element composition of the water of Lake Baikal is 7–15%, and the contribution to the micro element composition cannot be assessed due to their much higher concentrations in river waters. The reason for these differences is the migration of trace elements in the form of organic matter, which, due to the extended time of water exchange in Baikal, precipitates or destroys, contributing to the removal of trace elements from the solution.