Variability of Chemical Properties of the Atmospheric Aerosol above Lake Baikal during Large Wildfires in Siberia

Wildfires in Siberia significantly alter the chemical properties of atmospheric aerosols over Lake Baikal, increasing concentrations of ions (NH4+, K+, NO3−, SO42−), elements (B, Mn, Zn, As, Sr, Cd, Pb), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These changes, driven by smoke emissions from wildfires, pose a greater environmental risk than regulated anthropogenic sources in the region's central ecological zone. The study analyzed aerosol composition near Lake Baikal during fire events, revealing that submicron particles and trace elements indicate air mass transport from fire-prone areas. While sporadic, these natural disturbances disproportionately impact smaller tributaries, contributing to pollution across Baikal's ecosystems.

Golobokova, L., Khodzher, T., Khuriganova, O., Marinayte, I., Onishchuk, N., Rusanova, P., & Potemkin, V. (2020). Variability of Chemical Properties of the Atmospheric Aerosol above Lake Baikal during Large Wildfires in Siberia. Atmosphere, 11(11), 1230. https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos11111230