Introduction
Situated in Siberia to the southeast of Russia, Lake Baikal occupies a vast area of 31,500 km2. It is one of the oldest, deepest and the most voluminous lake in the world. In addition, its native nature and rare species of animals has made it a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For centuries, numerous travelers and adventurers have journeyed across to witness the beauty of this ‘Pearl of Siberia’. However, the thousand-year-old mystery of its freshness has never been completely answered — Is Lake Baikal freshwater?
The History of Lake Baikal
The Baikal rift valley is estimated to be around 25 million years old and the lake is about 5 million to 25 million years old. Lake Baikal is home to some of the oldest and the most fascinating species that are found nowhere else on the planet. It does not only host thousands of native plants and animals, but also a number of endemic ones such as the Baikal seal and the Golomyanka fish.
According to the traditional stories of the local people, the lake was initially a ‘Sacred Sea’, inhabited by a variety of gods, spirits, and evil forces. They believed that the river Angara, also known as the ‘VoIga of the North’, had brought the powerful sea waters to the region by sweeping away the ice that had accumulated over the centuries. With the melting of this huge layer of ice, the once-inland sea drained out and the present Lake Baikal was formed.
The Mystery Behind Its Freshness
Over the years, researchers have been trying to unravel the mystery of Lake Baikal’s freshness; how does it manage to stay so deep and so fresh? A number of theories have been put forth over the centuries, ranging from the formation of an underground river to the creation of a large system of springs and aquifers.
The most widely accepted theory is the underground river theory. According to this hypothesis, an underground river runs deep beneath the lake, which carries a large amount of fresh water from the melted ice of the nearby mountains and rains from the sky. The water then rises to fill up the lake and keeps it fresh, while the salty and polluted water is forced to flow out. The freshwater, then, is supplied continuously to the lake and prevents it from losing its freshness.
Another interesting theory suggests that the fresh water comes from the many mineral springs that can be found throughout the region. These springs, according to scientists, are believed to be connected to the underground river system and they help keep the water of Lake Baikal fresh and clean.
The Scientific Explanation
The most reliable scientific explanation for the freshness of Lake Baikal is based on two factors: the high concentration of limestone in the area, and the large amount of oxygenated water that is supplied from the river Angara in the east. The limestone helps to neutralize the acidic content in the lake, which prevents it from getting polluted and allows the water to retain its freshness. On the other hand, the oxygen-rich water from the Angara is what keeps the lake oxygenated, free of toxic substances, and helps the lake to remain healthy.
According to Professor Yakovleva from the Institute of Geography in Moscow, “the massive limestone cliffs and the oxygen-rich water of the Angara ensure that the pH level of Lake Baikal is neutral, and this helps to keep the lake fresh and clean.”
The Impact of Human Activities
While the lake naturally maintains a high degree of freshness, the influx of human activities has had a drastic impact on its quality. As the lake has become increasingly popular amongst travelers, the development of large-scale mining activities and tourist resorts, as well as the dumping of industrial waste, has accelerated the decline of the lake’s ecosystem.
As a result, over-fishing, deforestation and plastic pollution have left the lake in a vulnerable state. According to local researchers, the amount of garbage dumped in the lake has increased by an alarming 80% since 2017. This is a major threat to the lake’s flora and fauna and could irreversibly damage the delicate balance of the ecosystem.
Conclusion
It is clear that Lake Baikal is a freshwater lake. Its age and its unique mix of limestone and oxygen-rich water have played a major role in keeping its waters fresh. Witnessing the increasingly harmful effects of human activities on this unique lake, it is our moral and ethical responsibility to ensure that we act to preserve and protect it.
The Long-term Sustainability of Lake Baikal
In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of Lake Baikal, a number of drastic actions must be taken. Amongst them, the most important is to ban large-scale mining and other industrial activities in the vicinity of the lake, as these are the primary sources of pollution. Moreover, stringent laws should be put in place to regulate fishing activities, and strict penalties should be enforced on any person or organization found responsible for causing environmental damage. Moreover, the local communities must be educated and made aware of the significance of preserving the lake.
At the same time, investments should be made in research and infrastructure development. This will not only help us understand more about the lake’s ecology, but also build more efficient methods of harvesting energy, while safeguarding the natural environment.
The Conservation Efforts of the Local Communities
The importance of preserving Lake Baikal has not gone unnoticed by the local communities, who are deeply invested in the conservation of this iconic lake. In recent years, a number of non-profit organizations and groups have been working hard to educate the public about the importance of preserving the lake.
Every summer, local students, conservationists and researchers organize a series of events to spread awareness about the importance of preserving the lake’s delicate balance. These include seminars, exhibitions, field trips and clean-up projects, among many others. Volunteers from various organizations donate their time and resources to help these initiatives and have been able to make a difference in the lives of the local people who are directly affected by the lake’s beauty.
International Actions to Protect the Lake
The conservation of Lake Baikal has not gone unnoticed by the international community, either. In 2004, the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) declared it a World Heritage Site, in recognition of its remarkable ecological diversity and its global importance. Its protection is further supported by international agreements, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS).
Moreover, numerous countries from across the world have joined hands in their commitment to protect the lake. This includes the establishment of international cooperative programs, such as the Lake Baikal International Research and Education (LIBRE) program and the Lake Baikal Foundation (LBF). Through these programs, international research teams have been exploring the lake’s unique ecosystem, gathering information, and providing assistance to the local communities in their conservation efforts.
