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Russian sub sets world record in Lake Baikal dive

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-07-29 19:13

The MIR-2 submarine is lowered into the waters of Siberia's Lake Baikal during a test-run of a diving expedition July 24, 2008. Russian explorers plunged to the bottom of the world's deepest lake on July 29, 2008 in a show of Moscow's ambitions to claim new records in science. Picture taken July 24, 2008. [Agencies]

LAKE BAIKAL, Russia - A Russian mini-submarine on Tuesday reached the bottom of Lake Baikal in Siberia, setting a world record for the deepest dive in a lake, the crew told organisers from the vessel.

"Mir-1 is at 1,680 metres" (5,512 feet), a crew member could be heard saying in a radio link-up with a special barge near Olkhon Island that had lowered the Mir-1 and Mir-2 submarines into the waters of the world's deepest lake.

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Lake Baikal was previously believed to be a maximum of 1,637 metres deep and scientists say they could find new life-forms in its unexplored depths.

"This is a world record for a submarine diving in fresh water," an expedition organiser was quoted as saying by the Interfax news agency.

The scientific expedition was organised by Artur Chilingarov, a member of parliament and an Arctic explorer who led the submarine team that planted a Russian flag at the bottom of the North Pole last August.

Scientists plan to collect samples at different depths and hope to document the effects of global warming on the pristine lake, as well as to draw the attention of the government to the need for greater environmental protection.

"We want to study and observe Baikal, preserve it," Chilingarov said on Monday ahead of the dive as he inspected the mini-submarines in the small fishing port of Turka on the mountainous eastern shore of the lake.

The expedition also has a political dimension. Chilingarov said he had "full support" from Prime Minister Vladimir Putin and a flag for the ruling United Russia party could be seen flying proudly from the expedition's barge.

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake in the world, although not the largest in terms of surface area. Environmental groups warn that increased pollution is threatening the lake, which has more than 800 unique wildlife species.

The lake contains around a fifth of the world's freshwater reserves.