Arctic seas washing Russia

Agree, today it is quite difficult to meet an adult who could not list the Arctic seas of Russia. With this task, perhaps, even the average student could easily cope. It seems there is nothing complicated in this. However, let us recall. So, the seas of the Arctic shelf are Barents, Kara, White, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi. Total six. What are their characteristics? What do they have in common? And what are the main differences?

This article will not only answer all these questions, but will also try to prove to the reader that the Arctic seas deserve no less attention than the more usual ones, especially in the summer, Black or Azov. They are unaccustomed to us in terms of temperature balance, but this does not in fact make them less interesting.

Section 1. Arctic seas washing Russia. general information

In an attempt to reveal this topic, let's try to list the main features of these parts of the globe.

First of all, it should be noted that the Arctic seas of Russia are covered for most of the year with a dense layer of ice. From west to east, they are becoming colder. For example, if the influence of the Atlantic is still felt in the Barents Sea, then the thickness of the ice increases substantially further to the east.

The Arctic seas become warmer due to the currents of the Pacific Ocean. Especially it can be seen in that part of the Chukchi, which directly adjoins the Bering Strait.

Also note that the so-called Arctic seas, in turn, have the greatest impact on the climate of Siberia. And, oddly enough, but most of all, this impact is felt in the summer. All because in winter they are covered with ice, as well as land, and differences in temperature and humidity are not observed. But in the summer cold masses of water contrast strongly with warm earth.

With all the Arctic seas of Russia, the hunting of various marine animals has long been associated, which at one time led to the extermination of many species and was eventually banned. However, these places, despite the severity of the climate, constantly attract a huge number of tourists from different corners of the globe. One of the most popular routes is a visit to the North Pole. Many people, not paying attention to all the difficulties, are trying to get on this "crown" of the Earth on the icebreaker. Other favorite objects of the Arctic seas are rookeries of fur seals and walruses, "bird markets", places favored by polar bears.

Section 2. The Mysterious White Sea

The main difference of this section of the world ocean from all other seas of the Arctic lies in the fact that it is located to the south of the Arctic Circle, and only a small northern part of the water area goes beyond it. Thus, it turns out that the White Sea has natural borders on almost all sides. Only from the Barents, it is separated by a thin and very conditional line.

White is considered a relatively small inland sea of Russia. It occupies an area of only 90 thousand square meters. Km. The average depth of these waters is 67 m and the maximum depth is 350 m. The deep waters of the White Sea are the Basin, Kandalaksha Gulf. In the northern part the shallowest zones are located - not deeper than 50 m. It should be noted that the bottom is uneven.

Surprisingly, within the water area of the White Sea, there is a mixed climate, so to speak, having the features of sea and at the same time continental.

Section 3. The Amazing Barents Sea

Those who want to see how the nature of the Arctic seas change, it is recommended to go to the Barents region, which occupies the most western position.

Geographically, it communicates with the Norwegian warm sea, as well as with the cold waters of the Arctic basin. The total area of the Barents Sea is about 1,405,000 square kilometers. Km, the average depth here is about 200 m.

The climate is polar sea, the warmest among the other offshore seas of the Arctic Ocean. 3/4 of the surface of the Barents Sea is annually covered with ice, but it never freezes completely, even in winter. All this is due to the influx of warm Atlantic waters.

The relief of the bottom is non-uniform, has underwater elevations, gutters and numerous depressions. All this largely influences the hydrological characteristics of the water body. For example, this sea is characterized by good water mixing and excellent aeration.

Section 4. Why not go to the coast of the Kara Sea?

The Kara Sea is located off the coast of the Taimyr Peninsula, northeast of Europe, as well as the shores of Western Siberia. Its western border adjoins the Barents Sea, the eastern boundary - with the Laptev Sea.

This section of the world ocean is completely located beyond the Arctic Circle. The area of the Kara Sea reaches approximately 883 thousand km², the average depth is 111 m, and the maximum reaches 600 m in some places.

The shores in the eastern part of Novaya Zemlya are cut by fjords, and on the mainland shore there are large lips and gulfs, where the great Siberian rivers flow, namely the Yenisei, Taz, Ob and Pyasina.

In the Kara Sea there are many islands, especially many of them off the coast of Taimyr.

The maximum salinity (33-34%) is observed at its surface in the northern part. In the spring, the melting of ice may dissipate the bays near the mouths of rivers (up to 5%).

It should be noted that almost all the Arctic seas of Siberia are under the noticeable influence of river flow. For example, in Karsky this percentage ratio reaches the level of 40%. In general, it is known that the rivers carry 1,290 km³ of fresh water here annually, with 80% of this amount coming from June to October.

By the way, another important feature is that from October to May the Kara Sea freezes completely. That's why local people even nicknamed it an "ice bag".

Section 5. The Laptev Sea

Do you know which of the Arctic seas is the deepest? Laptev, of course! Geographically, it is located directly near the shores of Eastern Siberia. Earlier it was even called Siberian.

Immediately notice that this sea is completely beyond the Arctic Circle. In the north in front of him opens a cold and almost completely covered with perpetual ice the Arctic Ocean, in the west several straits connect the Laptev Sea with Kara, in the east behind the straits begins the East Siberian, in the south there is a heavily rugged coast of the Eurasian continent.

Its total area is 664 thousand km 2, the average depth is 540 m, the shallowest part is considered to be the southern part (up to 50 sq. M.), And an area of great depth is found at the edge of the shelf, for example, in the Sadko gutter, the maximum distance into the depth reaches an almost unthinkable figure In 3385 m.

The eastern part of the sea is quite seismic, sometimes to the west of the Novosibirsk Islands earthquakes up to 6 points occur.

As a rule, for most of the year the Laptev Sea is covered with ice. From the glaciers here are abundantly formed giants-icebergs.

Salinity of water is average - 34%, but near the mouth of the river. Lena it falls down to 1%, since a full-flowing river brings fresh water here. In addition to Lena, other large Laptev arteries flowing into the sea are Yana, Olenek, Anabar and Khatanga.

Section 6. East Siberian - the smallest Arctic sea

This section of the surface of the globe belongs to the category of so-called marginal continental ones. Geographically it is located near the coast of Eastern Siberia. The boundaries of these waters are generally conditional lines, and only in some parts it is really limited to land. The western territory of the East Siberian Sea passes through. Boiler and then runs along the Laptev Sea. The northern cordon completely coincides with the edge of the continental shelf. In the east it is outlined about. Wrangel and two promontories - Blossom and Yakan.

The waters of the East Siberian Sea are not badly communicated with the Arctic Ocean. The sea area is 913 thousand square meters. Km, but the maximum depth reaches 915 m.

There are few islands in the East Siberian. The coastline has strong bends, in places the land projects directly into the sea. The continents in the arctic seas are usually represented by plains. True, in some areas there is still a slight bias.

Note that this sea is under the influence of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, and that is why its climate is considered polar sea, with great continental influence.

Here comes a relatively small amount of continental waters. The largest rivers that flow into this sea are Kolyma and Indigirka.

Section 7. What do you know about the Chukchi Sea?

Between Fr. Wrangel and American Barrow Cape is the Chukchi Sea area of 582 thousand square meters. Km. Probably, everyone who is interested in culture and traditions, it is clear that it was named after the name of the people who inhabit its shores.

In general, the Chukchi Sea is characterized by a cold climate, a tense ice situation created due to the influence of the Canadian ice cycle.

The Chukchi Sea connects with the Pacific through the Bering Strait, 86 km wide and 36 m deep, but about 30 thousand cubic meters penetrate the Arctic through it. Km of relatively warm water. In August, its upper layers near the strait can be heated to +14 ° C. In summer, unlike in the cold season, the Pacific waters push the edge of the ice away from the shore.

Section 8. Nature and man: the seas are becoming much cleaner

In the modern world, we are accustomed to avoid ecology as much as possible. Why? The thing is that somehow it has become a habit to scold industrial enterprises, unscrupulous vacationers and dishonest officials from the local administration. In general, we somehow know at the level of the subconscious that everything is bad, and the future will be even worse.

But recently, scientists of the Murmansk Marine Biological Institute, after returning from the flight Murmansk-Dudinka, brought 200 liters of sea water with them for analysis on Cesium-137 and Strontium-90, radionuclides, which are indicators of anthropogenic impact. The results of painstaking work are encouraging: the northern seas are becoming cleaner, nature nevertheless copes with the damage received earlier and accumulated.

Radioactive elements, unfortunately, are still found, but in smaller quantities than in the 90s.