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New threat to renowned Russian lake

Russia's Lake Baikal, known as the world's oldest, largest and deepest lake, and once known for its purity, is now plagued by algal blooms caused by the discharge of untreated sewage.

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Algae bloom.
Credit: Christian Fischer

Russia's Lake Baikal, known as the world's oldest, largest and deepest lake, and once known for its purity, is now plagued by algal blooms caused by the discharge of untreated sewage. The lake is a World Heritage site and holds 20 percent of the world's unfrozen freshwater. It is also home to 3,700 species of plants and animals, many of which are now threatened by the algae. (The New York Times)

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