Persistent Organic Pollutants in Bottom Sediments in the North of Lake Baikal in the Area of the Baikal–Amur Mainline Impact

S. A. Reznikov and R. A. Adzhiev

Presented are the results of the studies that were carried out in 2013 and deal with the distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (as compared with 1984 and 1988) and organochlorine compounds (OCCs) (as compared with 2006) in bottom sediments in the north of Lake Baikal. The total composition of polyaryl in bottom sediments is determined and the areas of concentra- tion of different PAH homologues are detected. All these are done for the first time for the observational system in the north of the lake in the area of the Baikal–Amur Mainline impact. The moderate pollution of bottom sediments with PAHs and benzo[a]pyrene was registered only at the marginal filter in the Kichera River delta front. Increase in DDT and DDD metabolites is registered in pesticides. Presented characteristics of the current level of contamination of bottom sediments in the north of the lake can be used as environmental indices for the further monitoring.