Baikal is in danger: oil enters the water of a unique lake daily

About 4 tons of oil annually fall into the crystal clear waters of Lake Baikal. It seeps from cracks located at the bottom of the lake, and rises to the surface. Despite this, the amazing lake is still one of the cleanest on the planet, and its water is the standard of quality. How is this possible?

Geologists have known for a long time that there is oil on Lake Baikal. As a result of surveys, it was found that the Baikal reserves are in the range of 250-300 tons of oil. Today it’s hard to believe, but once even plans for the production of Baikal oil were even discussed. Drilling rigs work in many lakes and seas of the planet, and subject to all technical and environmental standards, such activity does not threaten a reservoir in any way. That's just to comply with all these requirements for oil companies is not always obtained.

Fortunately, it turned out that the production of Baikal oil is not so cost-effective, so the idea of developing fields was abandoned at some point. But the oil itself has not disappeared. Moreover, through the system of numerous faults and cracks, it regularly enters the waters of a unique lake.

During research expeditions involving the deep-sea vehicles Mir, several outlets of oil were discovered at the bottom of the lake. But thanks to microorganisms from the genus Rhodococcus, the purity of Baikal water is not yet in danger. Colonies of these bacteria are confined to the release of oil on the Baikal bottom. As a result of their activity, they destroy most of the dangerous hydrocarbons by oxidizing them.