The Role of Rare Alkalis (Li, Rb, and Cs) as Indicators in Water of the Baikal Geosystem, Russia

The distribution of rare alkalis (Li, Rb, and Cs) is analyzed in spatially linked water objects of the Baikal geosystem: water of Baikal and its tributaries, underground water from boreholes and thermal springs, and the Angara River (the sole outlet), which are located in the Baikal rift zone. The rare alkali content differs significantly in some water objects, but the average and median contents are similar in the surface and deep water of Lake Baikal and the Angara River. The water of Barguzin thermal springs of the eastern shore of Lake Baikal contains the maximum amount of rare alkalis, but this affects the Baikal water insignificantly due to its natural self-cleaning and deep renewal of water during geodynamic movements. The similar rare alkali contents of Barguzin and some thermal springs of Kamchatka emphasize their indicator role in the genesis of water objects.