Scientists have not discovered the impact of oil pollution on the ecosystems of reservoirs in Taimyr

The press service of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reported on the preliminary results of the Great Norilsk Expedition to study the biological resources of the Norilo-Pyasinsk lake-river system. More than 40 specialists, including 20 scientists, took part in it.

Experts have confirmed the absence of influence of oil pollution on the biota of Lake Pyasino and the source of the Pyasina River.

"The head of the laboratory of experimental hydrobiology of the Institute of Biophysics of the Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Scientific Center SB RAS", Corresponding Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences Mikhail Ivanovich Gladyshev, noted the absence of significant differences between plankton and benthos in oil-contaminated reservoirs and lakes Melkoe and Lama, and therefore, in the scientist’s opinion, there is no basis to assert about the negative impact of an emergency oil spill on the ecosystem,” the press service reported.

In general, the results of the expedition indicate a general improvement in the ecological situation in Lake Pyasino. Scientists associate this with biological self-purification processes.

Since 2020, Norilsk Nickel, together with the Russian Academy of Sciences, has conducted several full-scale scientific expeditions in the regions of its presence, including Taimyr. Based on the research results, unique data on the state of ecosystems was obtained, and measures currently being implemented to preserve biodiversity were identified.

In 2023, the first stage of large-scale multi-year work began on a detailed study of the Norilo-Pyasinsk lake-river system, including studying the state of aquatic biological resources and their habitat, determining a scientifically based and effective direction for restoring the disturbed state of aquatic biological resources, the dynamics of population development during the implementation period measures to replenish biological resources.