On the lakes with the "Mir Subs"
In the Limnological Institute during Science Day, some students for the first time learned what the word "Limnos" means. It means lake, and therefore the Limnological Institute is engaged in the science of lakes. In the laboratories, of which the institute has 12, are carried out unique studies in the biology of aquatic invertebrates and ichthyology. Most college students know about Lake Baikal, thanks to a school course entitled "Baykalovedenie”, the greatest interest of tourists has been caused by the "latest news", or stories related to deep-sea research involving the domestic deepwater vehicles - the “Mir-1” and “Mir-2" Subs.
In the last season, researchers conducted a dive into the Gulf of Maloye Ozero (Small Sea), located between the west coast of the lake and the island of Olkhon, as well as into central and southern Baikal. They studied the fauna of the lake, the movement of the shoreline, mud volcanoes, tectonic activity at the bottom of the lake, continued to search for archaeological artifacts. On the last expedition of the "Mir Subs" at the bottom of Lake Baikal, students decided to learn even more. In the "Mir Subs" many different attachments were installed – intake structures, echo sonar, and echo-ranging sonar. Special devices allowed for the performance jewelry-like precision work, including the lifting of fragile things. Such devices, for example, raised items from the "Titanic."
Under the layer of water (the deepest point of Lake Baikal - 1642 meters) the unit is subject to very strong pressure, and thus descent and ascent processes of the "Mir Subs" are very complicated. Nevertheless, the actions of the team, which students saw in the video frames, are striking in their coherence. Take into account the wind and waves, and inertia - after all, the unit weighs about 20 tons. It should be noted that on board the “Mir Subs” there is always warm clothing. The fact is that only when you sit down in the apparatus is the temperature a quite comfortable 25 degrees, but underwater the housing cools and condensation develops. Things get quite cool - the temperature drops to 15 degrees.
The main task of diving is the collection of information about the lake. Among the objects of the research were gas hydrates, because they are seen as an alternative fuel source. Also researched were the places of natural seepages of oil. These are unique because they are like an oasis - the oil not only pollutes the water, but even vice versa. Living organisms are concentrated in the area of emissions and eat the carbohydrates. As a result, the underwater life here is much richer than in other places.
Of course, after such a story about the expedition, students began to dream about the next trip to Science Day in the deep-sea research laboratory. So that the dreams did not seem just a pure abstraction, each member was issued a certificate, naming them official participants of the Limnological Institute’s science holiday.
Science Day was not just a banal excuse for first-year students to be absent from their basic classes in college. According to the tour participants, no one regretted his or her time spent in academic institutions. Being deeply impressed, the students congratulated the scientists on their professional holiday, sincerely wished them prosperity and many new tourism visits, from people seeking enlightenment, and they decided that from now on, every year, they will congratulate the workers of science.

Source: Eastern Siberian Pravda