Lake Baikal: The world's oldest lake is endangered

The oldest and deepest lake in the world is struggling with issues that may disturb its unique ecosystem and lead to its collapse.

Lake Baikal, located in Siberia, is experiencing progressive climate change. As the world's oldest and deepest freshwater lake, it is systematically warming, causing more frequent algae blooms and changes in the water's chemical composition.

Recent studies have shown a warming of the lake, leading to a reduced annual freeze duration, altering the ecology of the lake and its living organisms.

The nutrient influx of the lake has also significantly increased, most likely attributed to a declining ice cover and rising temperatures.

This may ultimately translate into a reduction in the lake's biodiversity and deteriorate the water quality, which may affect the health of people living on its shores and visiting tourists using drinking water intakes.

Scientists have proposed creating a system for monitoring the condition of the lake and a program for protecting the most valuable parts of the reservoir to protect the local ecosystems because the lake is of great importance to the entire planet.