A Russian‐American fieldwork effort on Lake Baikal, its tributaries, and surrounding hot springs was undertaken in June–July 1991. Here we report on aspects of major ion (Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , Alk, Cl − , SO 4 2− ) and several minor and trace element (Li isotopes, Sr isotopes, Ba, Al, V, Cr, Ni, Cu, Ge, Cd, Hg, U) cycles. Our riverine data for major ions generally concur with the more extensive, time‐averaged Russian database; for t...