Modern State of the Biota of the Selenga River Delta (Lake Baikal Basin) under Conditions of Unstable Hydrological Regime. Report 1. Microbial Community and Algae

摘要

Comprehensive hydrobiological investigations were carried out in summer and autumn 2012 in the delta of the Selenga River at the highest (for the recent 14 years) water level in the river. The study of microorganisms, phytoplankton, and benthic macroalgae made it possible to characterize the cultivated microbial community and algal flora of the delta, and also to assess its water quality. The species composition and quantitative characteristics of benthic macroalgae development suggest that the studied region is eutrophic. The biomass of phytoplankton varied over a wide range. In the water of the Selenga River, the total numbers of bacteria were rather low (1.22-2.30 million cells/ml), which can be conditioned by a high water level in the river during the period of investigations. An assessment of water quality in terms of sanitary indicative microorganisms suggests that water quality in the delta of the Selenga River corresponds to sanitary rules and norms (SanPiN 2.1.5.980-00). Thus, it can be used for recreation.