OREANDA-NEWS. Russian, American and Japanese scientists opposed a change in wastewater standards to Baikal prepared by the Ministry of Natural Resources of Russia, the Irkutsk Scientific Center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences reports. 

"Russian and foreign scientists consider the planned changes to be unacceptable. The Irkutsk Scientific Center of the SB RAS publishes reasoned appeals of scientists sent to the authorities of the federal and regional levels," the message says.

"The proposed changes are of particular concern in the light of the recent deterioration of the ecological situation in the coastal zone of Baikal. Changes such as the unprecedented growth of harmful algae, the massive death of unique endemic species and bacterial pollution are well documented. Decades of scientific work have conclusively proved that such changes are a direct consequence of industrial and household pollution, including discharges of phosphorus, nitrogen and other substances, whose concentrations in Baikal will increase, if proposed Changes in legislation will be adopted, "the letter of the University of Minnesota's Center for the Study of the Study of the Large Lakes notes.

In addition, the head of the Japanese Limnological Society, a professor at Kyoto University Shin Nakano and a professor at Tokyo University Masumi Yamamuro, were concerned about the problems of sewage into the lake.

Therefore, the Ministry of Environment of the Russian Federation is considering the possibility of mitigating the norms. However, the proposed version of the changes, published in March, caused a negative reaction of scientists. According to them, the standards for different types of pollutants will increase from 3.5 to 38 times, which can lead to irreversible consequences. Discussion of the document continues.