Geoecological estimation of White Lakes system in Vasyugan Landscape Reserve (Tomsk Region)

A few large lakes (Big, Small and Medium White) are located in the axial part of the Great Vasyugan Mire in the Vasyugan Landscape Reserve. These lakes have been studied insufficiently. Their genesis and mechanisms of change with the surrounding landscapes are not well understood, and still disputed. During field studies in the area of the White Lakes original data were obtained on the morphology of the lakes, the chemical composition of lake water and bottom sediments, the diversity of the animal population of the lakes, as well as on the chemical composition of bogs water and soil on lake shores. The studies were conducted in late May 2009. The results characterize the spring and early summer aspect of the condition and functioning of the wetland landscapes of the watershed of the Vasyugan Mire system. The Landscape Area of White Lakes is a unique wetlands system located at the very top of the Ob-Irtysh watershed plateau. Aerial processes, as well as surface and subsurface runoff from the drainage space, influence the formation of the chemical composition of lake water. The composition and quality of water in the lakes depend on both the landscape-geochemical characteristics of drainage basins that represent different types of wetlands, and the area of their waters. The water area of the largest lake (the Big White) is 1.96 square km, the maximal depth is 5.73 m. Most part of the shoreline of the Big White and the north shore of the Medium White border open mire complexes. Local watershed between the lakes is a northern section of pine-cottongrass-sphagnum and pine-shrub-sphagnum raised bog of 3.5 x 2.5 km. Within this bog massif Small White Lake is located. The analysis of the current status of the study area is carried out in comparison with the data of the published sources. The list of sources used contains 18 items. The analysis of the previously published and original data showed some features of the formation of the chemical composition of lake waters and distribution of elements and their compounds in the environment near the White Lakes. The paper provides interesting data on zoobenthos productivity, which is abnormally high for Vasyugan lakes. The White Lakes are located on the territory of the Vasyugan Reserve that RF government plans to establish. The landscape system of the White Lakes Area is developing under the conditions of high geochemical autonomy and represents exceptional value for background monitoring of the environment on a regular and sustained basis.

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