On 18-20 March 2014 the winter researches of Lake Baikal and the Selenga delta using the ULM took place within the framework of the International expedition “TransEurasian flight: Leman-Baikal” in the Republic of Buryatia.

Scientists from the Baikal Institute of Nature Management SB RAS and Institute of Natural Resources, Ecology and Cryology SB RAS participated in the winter stage of the expedition, organized with the support of the Fund for Protection of Lake Baikal. Scientific expedition leader - Corresponding member of RAS Arnold Tulokhonov; expedition pilot - Vladimir Vikharev. All the participants of the expedition based in the International eco-educational center “Istomino” (Kabansky region of Buryatia).

The purpose of the winter expedition was a comprehensive study of the ice cover of Lake Baikal, its structure, dynamics, thickness and quality. It has a scientific and practical value to test hypotheses about the relationship dynamics of ice cover with seismotectonic processes crust. A series of maps of ice conditions are also needed to study changes in regional and global climate.

During the expedition the following works were made:
• Flight measurements over the ice simultaneously with ground measurements by microwave radiometer, a nanosecond radar;
• Identifying areas of bottom gas liberation;
• Study of the structure of the regions near permanent cracks;
• Measurement of salinity variations and pollution sources;
• Study of the circles of unknown origin in the central part of the Selenga River delta;
• Study of the gas outlet “Stupa”, the search of gas bubbles;
• Detection of areas of thin ice;
• Sampling to determine the physico-chemical parameters of the water of dissolved oxygen in the water, the concentration of heavy metals in surface waters.

Now scientists of SB RAS institutes begin to process and analyze the obtained data during the expedition. Their results will be announced on the FPLB website additionally.