Transformation of the chemical composition of waters from the Barguzin River in the Barguzin Bay (Lake Baikal)

Abstract

We have studied the changes in the chemical composition of the Bargizin River waters that inflow to Lake Baikal under the different water level. We have shown that river and lake waters that involved in the mixing differ in the ion composition and temperature. Despite this, the mixing in the Barguzin Bay under the influence of circulation currents and thermal barrier occurs in a comparatively narrow coastline, which is usually less than four kilometres. Mixed waters distribute north- and northwestward and reach the southern end of the Svyatoy Nos Peninsula. In summer, the distribution scale of river waters in the bay becomes greater but is mainly limited to the surface layer. In the central part of the bay, within one-two kilometres from the river estuary, a lens of lake waters can form. Not only the change in the chemical composition and temperature of the water but also its colour indicate the influx of these waters. The change in the concentrations of individual ions at a distance from the estuary of the Barguzin River occurs linearly, which indicates ordinary dynamic mixing of river and lake water masses.