Perspectives for monitoring of Lake Baikal ecosystem variability using remote sensing data

Lake Baikal in Eastern Siberia is the deepest (1638 m) and the oldest lake on Earth. It contains about 20% of available freshwater. About 60% of this volume still meet the most rigorous international standards, including WHO requirements, of potable water. The lake is under threat of pollution through industry (paper-pulp industry) and through eutrophication processes from point and diffusive sources (a main source is the river Selenga). Changes in land use in the water catchment area are reflected in increased erosion by wind and water. The vast area involved necessitates the use of remote sensing as a prime information source of spatial data. This article presents AD 1994-8 AVHRR and ERS SAR seasonal observations of this lake.