ВAIKAL

In August of 2008 an expedition of two bathyscaphes "MIR" came to Baikal. One of the aims of this expedition was to study a volcano "MALENKIY", found in the deep part of the lake near the river Selenga. In 2009 scientists found one more mud volcano — St.-Petersburg. The researchers informed about the facts of “eruption” of gases from muzzles of such volcanoes. The eruptions were seen as fiery columns.

At the bottom gas has some special features. Today it is known that "deep" gas in the seas and oceans exists as gas hydrates. It looks like usual rather dirty slices of ice or the white powder reminding snow where gas molecules are connected with water molecules.

However, if we lift crystals of hydrates to the surface of water, they melt immediately and burn with a dark blue flame. High pressure of water and low temperature in deep layers are conditions necessary for their existence.Gas hydrates are a promising kind of fuel. One centimeter of gas hydrates gives 164 cubic meter of pure methane.It is necessary to know background level of hydrocarbons in Baikal to be able to estimate pollution by hydrocarbons correctly.

Another important discovery is close symbiosis and coexistence of live organisms with oil in the conditions of Baikal. This is a new word in science.

Long-term researches of concentration of methane in Baikal showed that, despite the big size of emissions of methane in the water, its concentration is insignificant thanks to activity of microorganisms. Their life is probably based on chemical synthesis.

Photosynthesis:As you know, we get energy from plants, while plants produce energy from carbonic gas using the sunlight. The process is called photosynthesis.

Chemical synthesis:During chemical synthesis microorganisms get energy from chemical reactions. They don’t need sunlight to live!

Their studying is very important as it can give a possibility to solve the evolution problem, especially adaptation of live beings to various ecological conditions. Scientists hope to discover such communities of microorganisms in Baikal.

Secondly, bubbles vibrate on frequency of ultrasound, and that badly influence on people, causing panic. People easily can jump into the water, they don’t realize the situation. Probably, that was the reason of legends about the mysterious ships-phantoms («flying Dutches») left by their crews. All these phenomena are connected with Gulf Stream. But in the conditions of global warming of climate the emissions of methane from a bottom of the seas and oceans will accept avalanche-like character.

Oil is often found near gas.However it was proved that on the banks of Baikal there aren’t any oil and gas fields that can be used in industry.Nevertheless, oil exists on Baikal and effects its ecology. Its frightening spots as large as one kilometer in diameter, are periodically fixed from satellites .But , despite constant emissions, the pollution area for some reason doesn't increase.

The immersing "MIR" confirmed the conclusions of the previous explorers. On the depth of 850 meters they found an active source of oil "eruption". The bottom was covered by cracks and breaks through which, obviously, oil can come out.

Later some "constructions" from bitumen to 10 meters high were found on the bottom of Baikal. They were coral like, all covered by white huge planarias and various sandhopper. At the bottom of Baikal the animals are white, they have no pigment because the sunlight doesn’t get to such depth.

So the most important discoveries are the following: Most likely, oil is formed not only in the places with organic residues. On the depth of 850 meters bitumen structures (heavy fractions of oil)were found. Their samples were taken by scientists for the further studying. Such structures were not found before.

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