During the Great Scientific Expedition, 18 lakes were surveyed in the region of influence of the Norilsk division of Norilsk Nickel

(Rough&Polished) - Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Mikhail Gladyshev told a conference at the Civic Chamber of Russia that water bodies were selected at different distances from the Norilsk Nickel facilities both in the zone of the expected impact and outside it, including undisturbed water areas. For example, in the region of influence of the Norilsk division of Norilsk Nickel, observations and sampling were carried out on 15 lakes located in the zones of the alleged impact of 4 groups of objects and 3 lakes in the background areas. 

In the course of the work, the researchers came to the conclusion that when determining environmental damage and ways to eliminate it for such lakes, one should rely not on chemical, but on biological indicators, namely on biodiversity, including the composition of indicator species, which should be established for each ecoregion. 

Scientists have compiled a list of water bodies that have undergone the most significant impact. “Only in two lakes, the strongest acidification (pH < 4) was found and an indicator species was identified: the planktonic rotifer Brachionus sericus, which formed an almost pure monoculture in the lakes,” the report says. - On the contrary, bioindicators of pure water lived in the background lakes, such as the planktonic crustacean Limnocalanus macrurus, which is a link in the food “most useful fish in the world” - char from Lake. Doggy." 

Previously obtained data were confirmed that the anthropogenic impact on Arctic lakes causes an increase in the biomass of microalgae and other parts of the food chain. That is, the level of anthropogenic impact on Arctic water bodies should be assessed not by biomass indicators, especially not by its decrease, but by species diversity - indicator species. 

For all studied areas (divisions), types of biomass were identified that are indicators of a significant impact, the presence of which indicates an unfavorable environmental situation requiring environmental protection measures. Species are also established - indicators of background conditions, the appearance of which as a result of environmental measures will indicate the successful restoration of natural ecosystems.