Expended range of Gomphonema firmum (Bacillariophyceae), once considered a Lake Baikal endemic, with notes on the identity of G. lanceolatum var. maximum

This note describes a new record of Gomphonema firmum Skvortzow, which expanded both morphological and distributional ranges of the species. This conspicuous diatom was previously unknown outside of Lake Baikal, where it inhabits deep-water areas. The newly discovered locality belongs to a small stream at a distance of 180 km west from Lake Baikal, where the species was found in a relatively high abundance that enabled to trace a size diminution series including specimens shorter than previously described. In addition, G. lanceolatum var. maximum Poretzky, a name for a diatom from Lake Teletskoe, was included in a synonymy of G. firmum that further expanded the species distribution. In the light of the presented data, the species appears to be a rare diatom with current distribution limited to a few scattered localities in southern Siberia.

NUMERICAL SIMULATION AND FIELD STUDIES OF THERMAL BAR IN LAKE TELETSKOE

A computer three-dimensional (3D) hydrothermodynamic model was designed for refined description of intra-annual temperature stratification in deep freezing Lake Teletskoye. The work is aimed at testing this model through simulation of a complex hydrophysical phenomenon, i.e. spring thermobar for real conditions of Lake Teletskoye. In June 2018, while performing field observations of temperature stratification in Lake Teletskoye, a thermobar (stretching from the mouth of the Chulyshman River at the lake’s southern tail up to its deep-water part) was detected and studied. Using the constructed 3D model of thermal regime and actual input data for 2018, the estimate of spring-summer thermobar in the water body as well as the comparative analysis of numerical simulation results and field observation data were made.

SIBERIA’S RESOURCE POTENTIAL AS A FOUNDATION FOR INTERNAL AND IN-BOUND TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

The article focuses on the potential of Siberia’s recreational resources, with special emphasis laid on such unique ecosystems as Lake Baikal and Lake Teletskoe, as well as thermal spas, mineral springs and peloid wells of the Republic of Buryatia, the Altai Republic, the Tyva Republic, the Republic of Khakassia, Zabaykalsky Krai and Altaysky District (Altaysky Krai).