Aquatic Technogenic Geosystems of Mining Areas of Transbaikalia: Limnology and Biodiversity

The results of comprehensive geoecological studies of water bodies formed as a result of mining activities are presented. It was noted that newly formed water bodies are characterized by a wide range of physicochemical parameters and variability in the structural indicators of aquatic organisms. A wide range of pH values (3.83–9.33), total mineralization (106–8693 mg/L), concentrations of chemical elements, and variability of chemical composition were established. Groups of water bodies (quarry lakes, tailings ponds, dump lakes, a flooded pit in the river floodplain and drainage streams) were determined statistically reliably (PERMANOVA, p < 0.05), differing in a number of abiotic and biotic indicators. It was concluded that the obtained results will further serve as a basis for the typification of water bodies in technogenic zones of the Transbaikal Territory.