Microbiota and biochemical properties of the northern coast of lake Baikal

New experimental data have been obtained from studying he soils of the Northern coast of Lake Baikal. This research provides a detailed description of the soils characteristic for the study area. The indicators of acid-alkaline conditions were determined. According to the degree of biological activity of the soils used in the study, they are categorized as moderately and weakly active. The study revealed a noticeable (on Chaddock's scale) relationship of this activity with acid-alkaline conditions (R2 = 0.7). The quantitative-qualitative characteristics of the soil microbiocenoses are considered in detail. The heterotrophic eubacterial count varies over a broad range depending on the type of soil (from 0.27 to 8.2 million CFU/g). Qualitatively, the fugal component is very diverse. Sanitary-microbiological indicators of the soils were determined for the lakeshore in the vicinity of settlements, garages and dacha gardens as well as in the recreation zone.