CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BENTHIC POPULATION OF THE DEEP ZONE OF BAIKAL

The authors studied the composition and quantitative development of fa una in deep-water bottom deposits of Baikal, and the depth of penetrat ion of animals into the sediment (with layer-by-layer analysis of samp les). Of the macrobenthos in pelitic, fine-silty, and diatomaceouy sed iments, Oligochaeta and amphipods predominate; of the meiobenthos, nem atodes, Harpacticoida, cyclops, and ostracods. The microbenthos is sli ghtly developed. Meiobenthic organisms penetrate into the bottom to a depth of 3-6 cm; amphipods, 3 cm or more; and Oligochaeta, no less tha n 10 cm, being found not only in the oxidized zone, but also in the re duced zone of silts.