Temperature and salinity of the Barents Sea. What is the salinity of the Barents Sea in ppm

The Barents Sea is a sea located on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. More precisely, it is located beyond the northern polar circle, between the islands of Spitsbergen, Franz Josef Land, Vaigach and the Coast of Europe. The waters of the Barents Sea are washed by the shores of Norway, but most of all - by Russia. Until the end of this place has not been studied. Many do not even know what the salinity of the Barents Sea is and what is the temperature of its waters. Well, this can be understood.

Fresh water flows

The salinity and temperature of the Barents Sea depend on many indicators. After all, water comes here not only through rivers, but also from the Atlantic. All this affects the salinity and temperature. It is worth to clarify that the river runoff, if you take into account the volume and area of the sea, in this case is not large. During the year, approximately 163 cubic kilometers of fresh water enter here . Most of the rivers flow into the southeastern part of the Barents Sea. The largest arteries are marked here. Judging by the usual indicators of water content, Pechora discharges about 130 cubic meters of water into the basin. This accounts for about 70% of the total river flow during the year. In this area, a few more smaller reservoirs fall into the sea.

It should be noted that on the coast of the Kola Peninsula and the coast of Norway, only 10% of the river flow occurs. After all, here fall mainly small mountain streams. The highest indicator of continental runoff is recorded in the spring, and the minimum in winter and autumn. But this also affects the salinity of the Barents Sea. River outflow is essentially reflected only in the hydrological conditions of the southeastern part. This area of the sea is the shallowest, and it is often called the Pechersk basin.

Neighboring seas

The salinity of the Barents Sea, as well as the temperature of its waters, depend not only on the fresh water runoff. These factors are influenced by other factors. Do not forget about the water exchange with the seas, located in the neighborhood. Of course, one should also take into account their peculiarities. Most of all in the Barents Sea comes Atlantic warm waters. The annual influx is approximately 74 thousand square kilometers.

Water from neighboring seas brings in the Barents Sea from 177 to 1012 kcal of heat. Of this quantity, only 12% is absorbed. The rest of the heat is expended in the Barents Sea. Naturally, the water becomes not so cold. It should be noted that the Barents Sea is the warmest sea among those that are part of the Arctic Ocean. Some areas here simply do not freeze. The water temperature from the European coasts to 75 ° north is constantly above zero.

Water structure

To determine the salinity of the Barents Sea, it is worthwhile to carefully consider the structure of its waters. At the moment, there are 4 main masses:

1. Atlantic water masses - this most part of the waters: from the surface and to the bottom. They come mainly from the north-east, north and south-west from the Arctic Basin. Such masses are salty and warm.
2. Arctic waters are masses that enter the sea from the north in the form of a surface current. These waters have a low salinity, and also a negative temperature.
3. Coastal waters. These masses enter the sea with continental drains from the White Sea, and also along with the coastal current from the Norwegian Sea along the coast of Norway. During the summer, these waters have an increased temperature and insignificant salinity. In winter, the characteristics of the coastal masses are very similar to the Arctic masses.
4. The waters of the Barents Sea are the main mass that forms in the sea itself due to the transformation of the Atlantic masses and the influence of local conditions. They are characterized by high salinity and low temperature. In winter, the north-eastern part is completely filled with local waters of the Barents Sea, the south-western part - Atlantic. The Arctic masses are completely absent, while the coastal masses are observed only in surface currents. It is worth noting that the salinity of the Barents Sea practically does not change. After all, different masses are quickly mixed here.

Barents Sea: salinity of water

The Barents Sea is well connected with the ocean. At the same time, the continental runoff of fresh water is low. Due to this, salinity indicators here practically do not change and do not differ from the average salinity of the ocean. It is worth noting that the changes depend not only on the seasons, but also on the districts. For example, in the south-western part the greatest salinity of the Barents Sea is noted. Here this figure is 35 . This is the area of the North Cape trough. Here there are salty Atlantic water masses and there is never ice.

In the southern and northern parts, the indicators decrease to 34.5 . Melting of ice is noted in this region. In the southeast the water masses are even more fresh. In this area, the salinity of the Barents Sea in ppm is about 32-33 . Here is marked the largest river runoff of fresh water. Melting of ice also occurs in this area.

Salinity and layers

Changes in salinity in the water column depend on the influx of Atlantic water masses, river runoff, and also on the bottom relief. On the surface, they can be from 34 ‰ and above, and at the very bottom - up to 35.2 . Within a smaller range, changes are noted along the vertical vertical elevations.

It is worth noting that during the season the salinity indicators practically do not change. The changes are very weak. The surface layer in the summer is more fresh. A sharp increase in salinity with depth is observed from horizons of 25-30 meters. In winter, such a jump is practically smoothed out. In the southeastern part, changes in salinity are clearly visible with depth. It is worth noting that in such places the difference can be several ppm.

During the winter period, the indicators are leveled practically along the entire thickness of the waters of the Barents Sea. In the spring, the surface layer becomes more insipid. In the summer, this process only intensifies because of the melting of ice. That is why, between horizons 10-25, the jump in the salinity indicators is markedly marked.

Density of water

In addition, do not forget about other factors. For example, in the northern region of the sea in winter, the water masses are denser, and in the central region in the summer. The causes of this phenomenon are completely different. In the north, this is due to the arrival of fresh water, and in the south - as a result of warming up.

Salinity of the Barents Sea by seasons

In winter, the indicator over the entire sea area is quite high and is 35 . The lowest in the southeastern part is up to 33 . This is due to a large influx of Atlantic masses, a decrease in continental runoff and intensive formation of ice. In the spring, high salinity values persist. The only exception is a narrow coastal strip in the Kaninsko-Kolguevsky district and near the Murmansk coast. Here, salinity decreases.

During the summer period there is an inflow of water masses from the Atlantic, melting of ice and the spread of river water. As a result of all this, the indicator is significantly reduced. In the south-eastern part, the mark may drop to 25 ‰, and in the south-west it may drop to 34.5 . In the fall, indicators also remain low. However, due to the fact that the continental runoff gradually slows down, the salinity of the Barents Sea increases in percentage terms. In addition, during this period, intensive ice formation begins. Gradually the salinity indicator reaches the winter mark.

In conclusion

Now you know what the salinity of the Barents Sea is and what affects it. Despite such fluctuations, there are about 110 species of fish. Their species diversity decreases from west to east. This is due to a decrease in the temperature of water and air, as well as the ice regime. It is worth noting that the Barents Sea supplies many cities with cod, goby and flounder species. At the moment, they produce haddock, capelin, herring, halibut, cod, catfish, saika and sea bass.