In beach resort of Listvyanka alone, 98 contaminated streams are disgorging sewage and chemical waste into the pristine waters of the world's oldest lake.
Vital for making its waters so 'pure', one theory is that rising underwater methane leaks are killing off the sponge, but is there a silver lining?
Doctors fought in vain to save Alexander Stakhanov, 35, on the frozen surface of the world's deepest lake.
Warmer winter caused problems for Sergey whose misfortune, and quick rescue, were captured on his own hi-tech camera.
The ice is visibly cracked but the team led by photographer Vadim Makhorov successfully landed Cessna 172 on Lake Baikal.
Scientist warns of 'environmental disaster' due to 'irreversible' pollution in world's deepest and oldest lake.
Stanley cup winner Valery Kamensky and other stars make history on frozen Lake Baikal.