Carbon dioxide, oxygen, and biogenic elements in subglacial water in the littoral zone of Southern Baikal (2004–2016)

Abstract

Results of the annual series of complex measurements of carbon dioxide, oxygen, and biogenic elements in the subglacial water in the littoral zone of the southern area of Lake Baikal, carried out from 2004 to 2016, are analyzed. It was found that the plankton photosynthetic activity significantly decreases the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in water (to 240–350 μatm) as compared to the partial pressure of CO₂ in the atmosphere (about 385 μatm) by the end of ice cover season. Hence, the CO₂ flux can be directed only from the atmosphere to the water surface during the ice breakup in the littoral zone of Southern Baikal.