China,Russia to Survey Lake Baikal

CRI ^ | 16 July 2005 | Staff

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Chinese and Russian scientists will conduct a joint survey in Lake Baikal.

The news was released by Chinese Academy of Sciences at a press conference held Saturday in Tianjin.

The 22-day survey is scheduled to be launched in August. Scientists from both countries will cooperate for the first time to test the influence of changes in Lake Baikal's eco-system on North China.

Lake Baikal is located in southeastern Siberia and holds a volume of 23,600 cubic kilometers of water, 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water.

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

This could be interpreted that to some extent Russia recognizes that Baikal is within a Chinese sphere of influence.

[Finalapproach29er]

... 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water.
-------
It's immense.
It's also quite polluted.

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

Come to think of it, China needs water right now, don't they?

[FreeReign]

It's also quite polluted.

No it's not.

[Finalapproach29er]

After we figure out a new clean energy source, water will be most valuable- if it isn't already.

1/5 of the worlds fresh water, 1/5 of the worlds people.

[Our_Man_In_Gough_Island]

..."1/5 of the worlds fresh water, 1/5 of the worlds people"

Who says geopolitics isn't an exact science?

[Bear_in_RoseBear]

Lake Baikal is located in southeastern Siberia and holds a volume of 23,600 cubic kilometers of water, 20 percent of the world's fresh surface water.

Interesting... I did a little searching on the web. The five Great Lakes (Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie, and Ontario) combined contain roughly 23,000 cubic kilometers of water, almost the same as Lake Baikal.

Lake Baikal is much deeper than any of the Great Lakes, over 1600 m deep; Lake Superior by contrast (the deepest of the Great Lakes) has an average depth of 147 m.

[struwwelpeter]

I went to Irkutsk and Lake Baikal ten years ago. Very interesting place.

Supposedly there was a submariner training school there, since the area was remote and secure from spies, as well as providing a huge, deep water area for training.

Lost my cookies on the hydrofoil ride, though.

[anonymoussierra]

translation "Bajkal is deepest lake in the world. It's interesting they decided it to explore that sphere of a lake at this time. I don't think this has to do with anything of water shortage in China itself. China is working on biggest dome on Yellow River; though millions would be affected by it. Below is a map to give you visual where is located at and how close is to China border."thank you all

[anonymoussierra]

thank you"struwwelpeter"

[Rebelbase]

Lake Baikal pollution here and here.

[FreeReign]

From your link: Lake Baikal remains in fairly pristine condition.

There are some problems. However it's not "quite polluted".

[RightWhale]

Lake Baikal was part of the main transportation route across Siberia to Alaska when Russia owned Alaska and the transSiberia railroad wasn't there yet. The lake drains to the north, but it's presence could have an influence on the ecology of Manchuria. There will be some pipelines through the region to get gas and oil to China, so the ecological survey would be necessary and China should contribute.

[struwwelpeter]

The locals have some interesting traditions regarding the lake. Supposedly you can cure arthritis just by dipping your arm or leg in the water, and by bathing in it you add a year to your life.

If my server wasn't down, I'd post my picture of a tree near the lake that had thousands of scraps of paper - with wishes and prayers - stuck on the twigs.

There are dozens of rivers that feed the lake, and Irkutsk is located a little way off on the Angara river. On the east side of the lake lives a native people called Yakuts who could be dead ringers for Sioux. They even dress up in feathered head-dress and dance around campfires.

[anonymoussierra]

thank you good friend"struwwelpeter"

[Finalapproach29er]

Thanks.