Biogeochemical characteristics of the Hovsgol-Ustilimsk water system in Mongolia and Russia: the effect of environmental factors on dissolved chemical components

The objective of this study is to clarify the biogeochemical characteristics of the Hovsgol-Ustilimsk water system in Mongolia and Russia. For this purpose, we measured dissolved major elements, minor elements, and nutrients in surface water throughout the system. Calcium ions and HCO3 + 2CO(3) were the dominant cations and anions in Lake Hovsgol, respectively. As the water flows down from Lake Hovsgol to the Egiin Gol and Selenga Rivers in Mongolia, the water quality derived from carbonate rock was found to be influenced by river confluences. In the Selenga River in Russia, major elements were diluted with low-salinity waters from the tributaries. At the boundaries between the Angara River and Bratsk or Ustilimsk Reservoirs, the behaviors of nutrients were affected by the transition of the water area from a riverine zone to a lacustrine zone. Although the composition of cations and anions changes gradually as river water flows further downstream, the water type remains to be Ca-HCO3 throughout the system. Thus, it can be concluded that the fundamental water quality of this system was determined in northern Mongolia, the source area of this water system, and that the environmental factors such as the climate, geology and, geography in its basin from Hovsgol to Ustilimsk regulated the dissolved chemical components.

Automated summary

The objective of this study is to clarify the biogeochemical characteristics of the Hovsgol-Ustilimsk water system in Mongolia and Russia. The results showed that the water quality in different areas of the system was influenced by factors such as river confluences, dilution from tributaries, and the transition from a riverine zone to a lacustrine zone. However, the basic water type throughout the system remained Ca-HCO3.