Revealing the Origin of Solutes in Surface Water Using the Relationship Between Organic and Inorganic Component Concentrations

The ratio of the spatial and temporal distribution of dissolved organic carbon to acid neutralizing capacity in the surface waters of the Lake Baikal Basin was studied. This ratio reflects the geological and geographical conditions of the watershed. In the warm season, the ratio depends on the watershed's size and relief; in the cold season, it depends on the watershed's chemistry. The ratio was used to estimate the contributions of dissolved matter sources, such as subsoil, topsoil, and the atmosphere, to the surface water. A correlation analysis was performed to establish relationships between the sources and solutes. The processes with the greatest effect on water chemistry were determined by analyzing these relationships.