… Especially in summer, blooms of very small phytoplankton (picocyanobacteria) develop in the pelagic zone of most Lake Baikal.  Additionally, massive growths of large colonyforming, nitrogen-fixing  cyanohacteria such as Anabaena and Gloeotrichia, similar to those  observed in highly eutrophic temperate lakes, are observed in hays into  which large rivers flow. These facts suggest that the water of Lake Baikal is potentially eutrophic. Because of the large amount of cold water in the  hypolimnion and long retention time of the water in Baikal, eutrophication of  Lake Baikal does not appear to bе advancing rapidly.  However, it is urgent to monitor the water quality of lake Baikal and the nutrient loads from the watershed, where great social and economic changes are now taking place. The influence of eutrophication on the  biological community, made up of many valuable endemic species, also has to  be investigated for the protection and conservation of Lake Baikal,  an invaluable natural heritage of the world. ..

Having in mind the above conclusions supplied by the research made by  Watanabe Y., Drucker V.V.  in 1999 make sure  that you or your travel companion or even your tour operator’s guide produce no any chemical, physical  or biological impact on the water of lake Baikal  or water sources that feed it while exploring this sights of this beautiful Gem of Siberia and Well of the Planet Earth.

“Lake Baikal -- "Mother Baikal" to Russia's ancient Buddhist peoples, "Pearl of Siberia" to others who live near her -- is well known, both as sacred symbol and natural gem. Four thousand times older than North America's Great Lakes, Baikal holds 22% of the world's available fresh water. If Baikal was empty and all of the planet's major rivers drained into her -- the Nile, Amazon, Mississippi, Danube, and numerous others combined -- it would take over a year for the lake to be filled. More than half of the species which inhabit Baikal are endemic, species which have evolved there and are found nowhere else in the world, including a freshwater seal. The problem is that the lake's environs are estimated to hold one-third of the planet's lumber and iron ore, and one-fifth of its silver and gold. To those who picture only the profusion of resources surrounding her, Baikal is seen more as a shell which holds riches meant for removal than a pearl to be treasured for the joy and beauty she gives.
"In a new Russia struggling to overcome economic privation, one time-tested culture seeks to preserve all that Baikal stands for; another more desperate movement exerts pressure to exploit her potential for wealth. As in many such cash-starved developing nations, resource extraction and industrial development have taken place with little regard for environmental protection or sustainability, drastically affecting water quality -- and thus, life in the lake…” -  Barry Lewis, Science Writer

“No matter who we are, where we are, and what we do, we are all dependent on water. We need it every day, in so many ways. We
need it to stay healthy, we need it for growing food, for transportation, irrigation and industry. We need it for animals and plants, for changing colours and seasons. However, despite the importance of water resources in our lives and well-being, we are increasingly disrespectful of them. We abuse them. We waste them. We pollute them, forgetting how essential they are to our very survival. “ - International Year of Freshwater 2003 

Bibliography on Lake Baikal  Eco-systems & Lymnology