Use of Methods of Electronic Microscopy, Mass-Spectrometry and Roentgenospectral Electronic Probe Micro-Analyzer in Ecological and Analytical Studies. Elemental Composition of Blue Micro-Particles of Unknown Nature Observed in Suspended Substance of Lake Baikal

Abstract

During the period from April till June, 2018, suspended substance of Baikal Lake water from depths up to 25 meters in various distance from the shore (up to 4,000 m) showed presence of hard particles of blue color in size up to 900 mkm of unknown nature with maximum numbers at the nearshore zone, resistant to mineral acids and combustion. The analysis using methods of electronic microscopy with spray application of conducting golden coating, field desorption with inductively connected plasma (mass-spectroscopy) roentgenospectral electronic probe micro-analyzer, along with investigation of the surfaces of the objects studied and the components distributed in them, showed a set of 68 elements entering the composition of the particles. The major composition is marked for Ti, Ca and Si. Comparatively high composition is found for high-density metals: Zn, Pb, Sb, Nb, Cu, As. Suppositions are made about the anthropogenic nature of the blue particles — in forms of products of agglomerating titanium with fuliginous phase, as well as in composition of sorbents on the basis of compounding of titanium and ship paints.