The impact of a rise in the Baikal level on engineering structures of coastal settlements
A.M. PLYUSNIN, E.G. PERYAZEVA
Dobretsov Geologrical Institute, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Ulan-Ude, Russia
Keywords: abrasive and accumulative processes, landslides, permafrost processes, flooding, waterlogging of lands
Abstract
This article considers the reasons for the intensive destruction of the eastern shore of Lake Baikal during the rise of its level, and gives quantitative characteristics of the wave abrasive activity. It is shown that the most active development of abrasion occurred in 1962, 1964, 1971, 1973, 1983-1985, 1988, and 1990-1994 when the highest rise in the water level in Lake Baikal was observed. Due to the rise of the level in the estuaries of rivers and the coastal part of the lake, the direction and intensity of lateral currents have altered, lateral erosion has intensified, and deposit accumulation conditions have changed. It is shown that sand material washed away from the shores does almost not form beach deposits, because it is moved by currents along the coast. Engineering structures in settlements remain unprotected from the wave impact and continue to collapse. Their operation requires annual repairs. It is shown that when the lake level rises, due to an intensification of flooding, tens of square kilometers of agricultural land will be withdrawn from economic circulation, and motor roads and power transmission lines will be affected. The article highlights the areas of the most intensive development of various negative phenomena during the rise of the water level where additional research is required to determine the damage caused to nature and to engineering structures.
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