Factors controlling the state of hydrothermal ecosystems Baikal rift zone

The main physical and chemical factors controlling the state of the ecosystem of alkaline hydrotherms of the Baikal rift zone as habitats of the thermophilic microbial community were revealed. The principal component method allowed us to quantify environmental factors that may play an important role in the functioning of the microbial community. Three main components were identified to explain 98% of the observed variations. The first major component explains 77% of the observed changes and represents the content of sulfate and sulfide ions, as well as redox potential. The greatest contribution to the second component is made by pH and the content of hydrocarbonate ions, they determine 12% of changes in the environment. The water temperature components are less important, explaining the 5.5% variation.