Ionic Composition of Water in Lake Baikal, Its Tributaries, and the Angara River Source during the Modern Period

The results of long-term routine measurements of the concentration of major ions in the water of the Lake Baikal pelagic zone, the Angara River source, and main tributaries of the lake are analyzed. The average values of ion concentration in the water column of the lake and in the Angara River obtained for the recent decade are presented and compared with the data of previous studies. Long-term trends in the concentration of ions in the main Baikal tributaries are shown. Under low-water conditions, the inflow of ions to Lake Baikal through tributaries decreases despite an increase in their concentration in river water. Changes in the chemical composition of water in the tributaries did not affect the ionic composition of water in the Lake Baikal pelagic zone and in the Angara River source.