The Unique Saline Lakes of Tajeran (Pribaikalsky National Park): the First Data on the Oxygen Regime

Authors

  • Nickolay V. Shadrin A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS
  • Elena V. Anufriieva A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS
  • Danil D. Gassiev A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS
  • Ekaterina P. Shchapova Irkutsk State University image/svg+xml
  • Yaroslav A. Rzhechitskiy Irkutsk State University image/svg+xml
  • Sofia A. Cherkashina Irkutsk State University image/svg+xml

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17308/geo/1609-0683/2026/1/152-159

Keywords:

Tajeran Lakes, Baikal Region, oxygen concentration, salinity, light intensity

Abstract

The purpose of the study is geoecological assessment of the state of the Tajeran lakes in the summer period of 2022, 2024, and 2025 based on the results of three expeditions. Materials and methods. Nine saline lakes in the Tajeran steppe were studied. The instruments were used: CEM DT-1309 lux meter, OPPLE Light-master-II, Kelilong RHS-28BATC refractometer, Checktemp 1 thermometer, HANNA Instruments, HI 98129 COMBO pH meter, and EXTECH 407510 oxygen meter. Results and discussion. For the fi rst time, an analysis of oxygen concentration, temperature, illumination, salinity, pH, and other variables was conducted. The lakes exhibited signifi cant salinity variation, ranging from 2 to 41 g/L. Oxygen levels fl uctuated between 7,3 and 12,5 mg/L. On July 25, 2024, the average daytime illumination was 3,4 times lower compared to July 26. On July 26, under sunny conditions, the average oxygen concentration was 8,4 mg/L. Conversely, on July 25, with overcast skies, the oxygen level was 11,2 mg/L, representing 127 % saturation. The previous day, July 24, was sunny, allowing suffi cient oxygen to accumulate in the water, which persisted through the night without signifi cant reduction, leading to morning supersaturation. Conclusions. High variability of ecosystem characteristics of lakes across diff erent time scales has been noted. When examining data on long-term changes in oxygen concentration in water bodies, it is essential to consider the specifi c attributes of short-term fl uctuations. The observed oxygen concentration cannot be correctly interpreted based solely on the current characteristics of solar radiation reaching the water surface. Knowledge of these characteristics is also necessary in the previous days.

Author Biographies

  • Nickolay V. Shadrin, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS

    Leading Researcher

  • Elena V. Anufriieva, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS

    Head of the Laboratory of Extreme Ecosystems

  • Danil D. Gassiev, A.O. Kovalevsky Institute of Biology of the Southern Seas of the RAS

    Engineer at the Laboratory of Extreme Ecosystems

  • Ekaterina P. Shchapova, Irkutsk State University

    Senior Researcher at the Research

  • Yaroslav A. Rzhechitskiy, Irkutsk State University

    Researcher

  • Sofia A. Cherkashina, Irkutsk State University

    Laboratory Researcher

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Published

2026-02-27

Issue

Section

Geoecology

How to Cite

Shadrin, N. V., Anufriieva, E. V., Gassiev, D. D., Shchapova, E. P., Rzhechitskiy, Y. A., & Cherkashina, S. A. (2026). The Unique Saline Lakes of Tajeran (Pribaikalsky National Park): the First Data on the Oxygen Regime. Proceedings of Voronezh State University. Series: Geography. Geoecology, 1, 152-159. https://doi.org/10.17308/geo/1609-0683/2026/1/152-159