Lake Baikal not only contains 20% of the worlds fresh water, but being the deepest lake required two submersibles or mini-submarines to explore the bottom. This is a rare example that will not happen elsewhere on the planet. Certain Russians, held in high esteem by the current power elite within the Kremlin, were hoping to be in the Guiness Book of records with a dive that would reach depths of almost 1700 meters. Using the UNESCO World Heritage Site for a cheap Russian stunt to get a record while putting the veneer of science and Russian pride out front is not why the designation was earned in the first place. The waters, no ice, of 25 million year old Lake Baikal are relatively unspoiled with ample opportunity to study the ecosystem and find means of further conservation. The lake is often referred to as the Galapagos of Russia and yes, developers had thought a pipeline in the area in 2006 was a great idea.The expedition was led by Artur Chilingarov, a pro-Kremlin member of parliament and Arctic explorer who led the submarine team that controversially planted a Russian flag on the sea bed below the North Pole last August.
Mr Chilingarov said just before the mission that the aim of the record-breaking attempt to reach the bottom of Lake Baikal was to preserve the unusual habitat of the lake, which was declared a Unesco World Heritage Site in 1996 because of its unique and rare wildlife.
The 18-tonne mini-submarines, Mir-1 and Mir-2, which already hold the world record for a manned dive in seawater, had to shed weight to make them less buoyant in freshwater. The mission went well even though Mr Chilingarov had anticipated difficulties. "There are technological problems, fickle weather conditions. Freshwater dictates special conditions," he had said before the expedition.
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