"The Mir-2 has reached the bottom of Lake Baikal at a depth of 1,680 meters (5,512 feet)," ITAR-TASS reported from the barge where the submarine was diving from.

Artur Chilingarov, a pro-Kremlin member of parliament and an Arctic explorer organized the scientific expedition.

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

"We want to study and observe Baikal, preserve it," Chilingarov said ahead of the dive as he inspected the Soviet-designed Mir-1 and Mir-2 submarines in the small port of Turka on the shores of Lake Baikal.

Expedition member Anatoly Sagalevich said the expedition could turn up new species of wildlife living at the bottom of the lake, which has never been explored, as well as possible reserves of gas and oil.

Lake Baikal is the deepest lake and largest reserve of fresh water in the world, although not the largest lake in terms of surface area. Environmental groups say pollution is threatening the pristine lake.

barge  (n.)   驳船；（河中或港内载运客货的）平底船Huge barges are used to transport machinery between islands.

parliament  (n.)   国会；议会It is up to the parliament of each country to make up laws.

explorer  (n.)   探险家；探究者Explorers are the ones who discover new lands.

expedition  (n.)   远征；探险We went on an expedition to Kinmen to observe the wildlife.

to inspect  (v.)   检查；巡查The mechanic who inspected my car said I needed a new engine.

reserve  (n.)   储备；蕴藏The reserve was set up by the govenment to protect the island's fragile ecosystem.

to be pristine   原始的；初步的I just mopped the floor and it was pristine－until you walked on it.

the effect(s) of   …的效应；…的影响The effect of eating too much fried food is heart problems.

to turn up   找到；发现I looked for my keys all day and they turned up in the weirdest place.

in terms of   以…方面来说；以…而言I have really high grades in terms of mathematics.