Ecological problems of the Russian Plain. The problems of rational use of the resources of the Russian Plain

To better understand the ecological problems of the Russian Plain, it is necessary to consider in detail what natural resources this geographic region possesses, than it is noteworthy.

Features of the Russian Plain

First of all, we will answer the question about where the Russian Plain is. The East European Plain is located on the mainland of Eurasia and is the second largest in the world in terms of area after the Amazonian plain. The second name of the East European Plain is Russian. This is due to the fact that a significant part of it is occupied by the state of Russia. It is in this territory that most of the population of the country is concentrated and the largest cities are located.

The length of the plain from north to south is almost 2.5 thousand km, and from east to west - about 3 thousand km. Almost the entire territory of the Russian Plain has a flat relief with a slight bias - no more than 5 degrees. This is mainly due to the fact that the plain almost completely coincides with the East European platform. There is no movement of the earth's crust and, consequently, there are no destructive elemental phenomena (earthquakes).

The average height of the plain is about 200 m above sea level. The maximum height it reaches on Bugulminsko-Belebeevskaya elevation - 479 m. The Russian plain can be conditionally divided into three bands: northern, central and southern. On its territory there are a number of highlands: the Middle-Russian plain, the Smolensk-Moscow Upland - and the lowlands: Polissya, Oka-Don plain, etc.

Minerals of the Russian Plain

The Russian plain is rich in resources. Here there are all kinds of minerals: ore, non-metallic, combustible. A special place is occupied by extraction of iron ores, oil and gas.

1. Ore

Iron ore of the Kursk magnetic anomaly. Deposits: Lebedinsky, Mikhailovskoye, Stoilenskoe, Yakovlevskoye. The ore of these developed deposits is characterized by high iron content - 41.5%.

2. Non-metallic

• Bauxite. Deposits: Vislovskoye. The content of alumina in the rock reaches 70%.
• Chalk, marl, fine-grained sand. Deposits: Volsky, Tashlinskoye, Dyatkovo and others.
• Brown coal. Pools: Donetsk, Podmoskovny, Pechorsky.
• Diamonds. Deposits of the Arkhangelsk Region.

3. Flammable

• Oil and gas. Oil and gas bearing areas: Timan-Pechora and Volga-Urals.
• Oil shales. Deposits: Kashpirovskoe, Obshtsyyrtskoe.

The minerals of the Russian Plain are extracted in various ways, which has a negative impact on the environment. There is a clogging of soil, water and atmosphere.

The influence of human activity on the nature of the East European Plain

The environmental problems of the Russian Plain are largely related to human activities: the development of mineral deposits, the construction of cities, roads, the emissions of large enterprises, the use of huge volumes of water, which can not be replenished, and polluted.

Below we will consider all ecological problems of the Russian Plain. The table will show what problems exist, where they are localized. Possible ways of fighting are presented.

Climate of the Russian Plain

The climate of the East European Plain is moderately continental. Continentality increases when moving deep into the continent. The average temperature of the plain in the coldest month (January) is -8 degrees in the west and -12 degrees in the east. In the warmest month (July), the average temperature in the northwest is +18 degrees, in the southeast +21 degrees.

The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the warm season - about 60-70% of the annual amount. Above the elevations of precipitation falls more than over lowlands. Annual precipitation in the western part is 800 mm per year, on the eastern side - 600 mm.

On the Russian Plain there are several natural zones: steppes and semi-deserts, forest-steppe, broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, taiga, tundra (when moving from south to north).

Forest resources of the plain are mainly represented by coniferous species - pine and spruce. Previously, forests were actively cut down and used in the woodworking industry. Currently, forests have a recreational, water regulation and water conservation value.

Vegetative and animal life of the East European Plain

Due to the small climatic differences in the territory of the Russian Plain, it is possible to observe pronounced soil-vegetative zoning. Northern sod-podzolic soils to the south are replaced by more fertile chernozems, which affects the nature of vegetation.

Flora and fauna have suffered significantly because of human activities. Many species of plants have disappeared. Of the fauna, the greatest damage was caused to fur animals, which were always a desired object of hunting. Under threat of extinction mink, muskrat, raccoon dog, beaver. For such large ungulates, such as the tarpan, such a saiga and bison have almost completely disappeared.

For the preservation of certain species of animals and plants, nature reserves were established: Oksky, Galichya Gora, Central Chernozemny. VV Alekhina, Forest on Vorskla and others.

The rivers and seas of the East European Plain

Where there is the Russian Plain, there are many rivers and lakes. The main rivers that play the main role in human economic activity are the Volga, the Oka and the Don.

The Volga is the largest river in Europe. It is located Volgo-Kamsky hydroelectric complex, which includes a dam, a hydroelectric power station and a reservoir. The length of the Volga is 3631 km. Many of its tributaries are used in the farm for irrigation.

Don also plays a significant role in industrial activities. Its length is 1870 km. Especially important are the Volga-Don Shipping Canal and the Tsimlyansk Reservoir.

In addition to these large rivers, Hopper, Voronezh, Bityug, Severnaya Dvina, Zapadnaya Dvina, Onega, Kem and others flow on the plain.

In addition to the rivers, the Russian plain includes the Baltic Sea, the Barents Sea, the White Sea, the Black Sea, the Caspian Sea.

On the bottom of the Baltic Sea is the Nord Stream gas pipeline. This affects the ecological situation of the hydrological facility. During the laying of the gas pipeline, clogging of water occurred, many species of fish decreased their numbers.

In the Baltic, Barents, Caspian and White Seas , some minerals are mined, which, in turn, adversely affects the waters. Some of the industrial waste is leaking into the sea.

In the Barents and the Black Seas, some fish species are caught on an industrial scale: cod, herring, flounder, haddock, halibut, catfish, anchovy, pikeperch, mackerel, etc.

In the Caspian Sea, fish, mainly sturgeon, are caught. On the beach, due to favorable natural conditions, there are many sanatoriums and tourist bases. The Black Sea is navigable. Export of oil products from Russian ports is being carried out.

Underground waters of the Russian Plain

In addition to surface water, man uses underground, which because of irrational use adversely affects the soils - there are subsidence, etc. Three large artesian basins are distinguished in the plain: the Caspian, Middle Russian and East-Russian. They serve as a source of water for a vast territory.