Hydrological regime of the Barents Sea - Temperature map of the Barents Sea

The hydrological regime of the Barents Sea is very diverse and is formed as a result of the circulation of waters of various origins and with different properties: 1. warm waters coming from the northern part Atlantic Ocean; 2. warm waters of river origin; 3. relatively cold local waters 4. cold polar waters.

In the previous section, it was shown that thermohaline conditions in the Barents Sea are formed under the influence of both heat advection by currents and radiation factors. Some elements of this influence determine the stability of the climatic characteristics of temperature and salinity, while others (for example, the nonstationarity of currents and ice conditions) form their spatial and temporal variability.

Let us consider the structure of the temperature and salinity fields in their annual course, as well as the main processes that determine their distribution.

6.1. Water temperature. In the Barents Sea, the water temperature to a much greater extent than in other Arctic seas determines all processes associated with the density structure of water (convection, formation of a shock layer, etc.). In addition, in the Barents Sea, water temperature is the main indicator characterizing the distribution of warm Atlantic waters, which in turn determine the ice conditions and climate of the Atlantic sector of the Arctic.

The thermal regime of the Barents Sea is formed under the influence of a number of processes, of which the leading ones are autumn-winter convection, which equalizes the temperature from the surface to the bottom, and summer heating of the surface layer, which causes the emergence of a seasonal thermocline.

A large influx of warm Atlantic waters makes the Barents Sea one of the warmest in the Arctic Ocean. A significant part of the sea from the coast to 75°N. It does not freeze all year round and has positive surface temperatures. The influence of the advection of the heat of the Atlantic waters is especially noticeable in the southwestern part of the sea and insignificant in the southeast due to shallow depths in this area. here it reaches 8°C.

In the surface layer, the maximum temperature is observed in the southwestern part of the sea (9°C in June-September), the minimum (0°C) is at the ice edge. From July to October, the region of maximum temperatures also extends to the southeastern part of the sea, the position of the isotherms becomes close to the latitudinal one (Fig. 2).

Figure 2. Average long-term surface water temperature in summer and winter.

The seasonal change in water temperature is generally small, in the southwest and in the northern part of the sea it does not exceed 5-6°C and only in the southeast does it reach 10°C. In the Atlantic water mass in the extreme southwest of the sea, the surface water temperature in winter does not fall below 3°C and does not exceed 6°C, in summer it lies in the range from 7 to 13°C. In areas where ice is likely to occur, the absolute minimum is limited to a freezing point of -1.8°C. Summer maximum temperatures in the surface layer reach 4-7°C in the northwestern part of the sea, southeast 15°С in the open part of the sea and 20-23 in the Pechora Bay.

With depth, fluctuations in water temperature decrease. In the southeastern part of the sea, at a 50 m horizon, they are about 2/3 of their value on the surface.

The distribution of water temperature on the underlying horizons reflects the development of convection processes (in winter) and summer heating in the sea. IN summer period a seasonal thermocline is formed, which begins with the transition heat balance sea ​​surface to positive values ​​and continues until August-September, when the depth of the shock layer reaches such values ​​at which mixing in the surface layer can no longer significantly affect the conditions in the thermocline layer. In most of the water area of ​​the Barents Sea, the thickness of the quasi-homogeneous layer and the depth of the upper boundary of the thermocline reach 30 m by this time, and the largest gradients fall on the 30-50 m layer.

In the southwest of the sea, the maximum water temperature gradients do not exceed 0.1°C/m, while in the rest of its deep water area they reach 0.2°C/m; in the southeastern part of the sea and in coastal areas, the maximum gradients fall on the layer 10-25 and 0-10 m and amount to 0.4°С/m

To a large extent, the temperature distribution in the water column of the Barents Sea depends on the penetration of warm Atlantic waters, on winter cooling and on the bottom topography. Therefore, the change in water temperature along the vertical occurs unequally.

In the southwestern part, which is most affected by Atlantic waters, the temperature gradually and within small limits decreases with depth, remaining positive to the very bottom. In the north-east of the sea in winter, the negative temperature extends to the horizon of 100-200 m, deeper it rises to +1°C. In summer, the sea surface has a low temperature, which quickly drops to 25-50 m, where the low temperatures (-1.5°С) achieved during winter cooling are preserved. Below, in the layer of 50-100 m, not affected by the winter vertical circulation, the temperature increased to -1°C. Thus, between 50 and 100 m there is a cold intermediate layer. In those depressions where warm waters do not penetrate and strong cooling occurs, for example, the Novaya Zemlya Trench, the Central Basin, etc., the water temperature is uniform throughout the thickness in winter, and in summer it drops from small positive values ​​​​on the surface to -1.75 ° C at the bottom .

Underwater heights serve as obstacles to the movement of Atlantic waters, so the latter flow around them. In places of flow around the rises, low temperatures rise close to the surface of the water. In addition, above the hills and on their slopes, the water cools more. As a result, "cold water caps" characteristic of the banks of the Barents Sea are formed.

In the Central Highlands in winter, the water temperature is equally low from the surface to the bottom. In summer it decreases with depth and in the layer of 50-100 m has the minimum values. Below, the temperature rises again, but remains negative all the way to the bottom. Thus, here, too, there is an intermediate layer of cold water, but it is not underlain by warm Atlantic waters. In the southeastern part of the sea, temperature changes with depth have a pronounced seasonal course.

In winter, the temperature of the entire water column is negative. In spring, the upper 10-12-meter layer is covered with heating, below its temperature drops sharply to the bottom. In summer, the warming of the surface layer reaches its greatest values; therefore, the decrease in temperature between the horizons of 10 and 25 m occurs with a sharp jump. In autumn, cooling equalizes the temperature throughout the layer, which becomes almost vertically uniform by winter.

Figure 4 shows the vertical profiles of water temperature in four regions (western, northern, Novaya Zemlya and northeastern Fig. 3), characterizing the period of formation and destruction of the thermocline (May-November). It can be seen from them that despite the significant differences in the hydrological regime of the regions, they are characterized by a number of common patterns, in particular, the delay in the annual maximum of water temperature with increasing depth and a slower drop in temperature in autumn compared to spring growth. Under real conditions, these generalized water temperature distribution profiles are complicated by the existence of diurnal and synoptic thermoclines, uneven heat advection, internal waves, the influence of river runoff, and ice melting. For example, in the southeastern part of the sea in July, at a horizon of 10 and 20 m, a significant decrease in water temperature is observed, due to the fact that in June-July this area is characterized by a strongly pronounced density stratification, due to the inflow of a large volume river waters.
In summer, changes in water temperature in layers with different vertical gradients are practically unrelated. The exceptions are the wind mixing layer (0-10 m) and the seasonal thermocline layer (20-30 or 30-50 m), there is no connection between these layers.

The characteristic values ​​of water temperature fluctuations due to tidal variability are 0.2–0.5°C in a uniform

The Barents Sea is located on the continental shelf. The southwestern part of the sea does not freeze in winter due to the influence of the North Atlantic Current. The southeastern part of the sea is called the Pechora Sea. The Barents Sea has great importance for transport and for fishing - large ports are located here - Murmansk and Vardø (Norway). Before World War II, Finland also had access to the Barents Sea: Petsamo was its only ice-free port. A serious problem is the radioactive contamination of the sea due to the activities of the Soviet / Russian nuclear fleet and Norwegian radioactive waste processing plants. Recently, the sea shelf of the Barents Sea in the direction of Svalbard has become the object of territorial disputes between the Russian Federation and Norway (as well as other states).

The Barents Sea is rich in various fish species, plant and animal plankton and benthos. Seaweed is common off the south coast. Of the 114 species of fish living in the Barents Sea, 20 species are the most important for commercial purposes: cod, haddock, herring, sea bass, catfish, flounder, halibut, etc. Mammals are found: polar bear, seal, harp seal, beluga whale, etc. The seal is being hunted. Bird colonies abound on the coasts (guillemots, guillemots, kittiwakes). In the 20th century, the king crab was introduced, which was able to adapt to new conditions and begin to multiply intensively.

Finno-Ugric tribes - the Sami (Lapps) - have lived off the coast of the Berents Sea since ancient times. The first visits of non-autochthonous Europeans (Vikings, then Novgorodians) began, probably, from the end of the 11th century, and then intensified. The Barents Sea was named in 1853 in honor of the Dutch navigator Willem Barents. The scientific study of the sea was started by the expedition of F. P. Litke 1821-1824, and the first complete and reliable hydrological characteristic sea ​​was compiled by N. M. Knipovich at the beginning of the 20th century.

The Barents Sea is the marginal water area of ​​the Arctic Ocean on the border with the Atlantic Ocean, between the northern coast of Europe in the south and the islands of Vaigach, Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land in the east, Svalbard and Bear Island in the west.

In the West it borders on the Norwegian Sea basin, in the south - on the White Sea, in the east - on the Kara Sea, in the north - on the Arctic Ocean. The region of the Barents Sea, located to the east of Kolguev Island, is called the Pechora Sea.

The shores of the Barents Sea are predominantly fjord-like, high, rocky, and heavily indented. The largest bays are: Porsanger Fjord, Varangian Bay (also known as Varanger Fjord), Motovsky Bay, Kola Bay, etc. East of the Kanin Nos Peninsula, the coastal relief changes dramatically - the coasts are mostly low and slightly indented. There are 3 large shallow bays here: (Cheshskaya Bay, Pechora Bay, Khaipudyrskaya Bay), as well as several small bays.

The largest rivers flowing into the Barents Sea are Pechora and Indiga.

The surface currents of the sea form a counterclockwise circulation. Along the southern and eastern periphery, the Atlantic waters of the warm North Cape current (a branch of the Gulf Stream system) move east and north, the influence of which can be traced to the northern shores of Novaya Zemlya. The northern and western parts of the circulation are formed by local and Arctic waters coming from the Kara Sea and the Arctic Ocean. In the central part of the sea there is a system of intracircular currents. The circulation of sea waters changes under the influence of changes in winds and water exchange with adjacent seas. Of great importance, especially near the coast, are tidal currents. The tides are semi-diurnal, their greatest value is 6.1 m near the coast of the Kola Peninsula, in other places 0.6-4.7 m.

Water exchange with neighboring seas is of great importance in the water balance of the Barents Sea. During the year, about 76,000 km³ of water enters the sea through the straits (and the same amount leaves it), which is approximately 1/4 of the total volume of sea water. The largest number water (59,000 km³ per year) carries a warm North Cape current, which provides exclusively big influence on the hydrometeorological regime of the sea. The total river flow to the sea is on average 200 km³ per year.

The salinity of the surface layer of water in the open sea during the year is 34.7-35.0 ppm in the southwest, 33.0-34.0 in the east, and 32.0-33.0 in the north. In the coastal strip of the sea in spring and summer, salinity drops to 30-32, by the end of winter it rises to 34.0-34.5.

The Barents Sea occupies the Barents Sea Plate of the Proterozoic-Early Cambrian age; anteclise bottom elevations, depressions - syneclises. Of the shallower landforms, there are remnants of ancient coastlines, at depths of about 200 and 70 m, glacial-denudation and glacial-accumulative forms, and sand ridges formed by strong tidal currents.

The Barents Sea is located within the continental shelf, but, unlike other similar seas, most of it has a depth of 300-400 m, an average depth of 229 m and a maximum depth of 600 m. (maximum depth 600 m) Franz Victoria (430 m) and others). South part The bottom has a depth of mainly less than 200 m and is distinguished by a leveled relief.

From the cover of bottom sediments in the southern part of the Barents Sea, sand prevails, in some places - pebbles and crushed stone. On the heights of the central and northern parts of the sea - silty sand, sandy silt, in depressions - silt. An admixture of coarse clastic material is noticeable everywhere, which is associated with ice rafting and the wide distribution of relict glacial deposits. The thickness of sediments in the northern and middle parts is less than 0.5 m, as a result of which ancient glacial deposits are practically on the surface on some hills. The slow rate of sedimentation (less than 30 mm per 1 thousand years) is explained by the insignificant influx of terrigenous material - due to the features of the coastal relief, not a single large river flows into the Barents Sea (except for the Pechora, which leaves almost all of its alluvium within the Pechora Estuary), and the coasts of the land are composed mainly of strong crystalline rocks.

The climate of the Barents Sea is influenced by the warm Atlantic Ocean and the cold Arctic Ocean. Frequent intrusions of warm Atlantic cyclones and cold Arctic air determine the greater variability weather conditions. In winter, southwest winds prevail over the sea, in spring and summer - northeast winds. Frequent storms. The average air temperature in February varies from -25 °C in the north to -4 °C in the southwest. The average temperature in August is 0 °C, 1 °C in the north, 10 °C in the southwest. Cloudy weather prevails over the sea during the year. Annual rainfall varies from 250 mm in the north to 500 mm in the southwest.

Severe climatic conditions in the north and east of the Barents Sea determine its large ice cover. In all seasons of the year, only the southwestern part of the sea remains free of ice. The ice cover reaches its greatest distribution in April, when about 75% of the sea surface is occupied by floating ice. In extremely unfavorable years at the end of winter, floating ice comes directly to the shores of the Kola Peninsula. The least amount of ice occurs at the end of August. At this time, the ice boundary moves beyond 78°N. sh. In the northwest and northeast of the sea, ice usually stays all year round, but in some favorable years the sea is completely free of ice.

The inflow of warm Atlantic waters determines the relatively high temperature and salinity in the southwestern part of the sea. Here, in February - March, the water temperature on the surface is 3 °C, 5 °C, in August it rises to 7 °C, 9 °C. North of 74° N. sh. and in the southeastern part of the sea in winter the surface water temperature is below -1 °C, and in summer in the north 4 °C, 0 °C, in the southeast 4 °C, 7 °C. Summer in coastal zone the surface layer of warm water 5-8 meters thick can warm up to 11-12 °C.

The sea is rich in various fish species, plant and animal plankton and benthos, so the Barents Sea has a large population economic importance as an area of ​​intensive fishing. In addition, the sea route is very important, connecting the European part of Russia (especially the European North) with the ports of the western (from the 16th century) and Eastern countries(from the 19th century), as well as Siberia (from the 15th century). Main and largest port is the ice-free port of Murmansk - the capital of the Murmansk region. Other ports in the Russian Federation - Teriberka, Indiga, Naryan-Mar (Russia); Vardø, Vadso and Kirkenes (Norway).

The Barents Sea is the region where not only the merchant fleet, but also the Russian Navy, including nuclear submarines, is deployed.

Characteristics of the Barents Sea

The Barents Sea has clear boundaries in the south and partly in the east; in other areas, the boundaries pass along imaginary lines drawn along the shortest distances between coastal points. The western boundary of the sea is the line Cape Yuzhny (Spitsbergen) - about. Bear - m. North Cape. The southern boundary of the sea runs along the coast of the mainland and the line of Cape Svyatoy Nos - Cape Kanin Nos, which separates it from the White Sea. From the east, the sea is limited by the western coast of the Vaigach and Novaya Zemlya islands and further by the line of Cape Zhelaniya - Cape Kolzat (Graham Bell Island). In the north, the boundary of the sea runs along the northern edge of the islands of the Franz Josef Land archipelago to Cape Mary Harmsworth (Alexandra Land Island) and then through the Victoria and White Islands goes to Cape Lee Smith on about. Northeast Land (Svalbard).

Located on the North European shelf, almost open to the Central Arctic basin and open to the Norwegian and Greenland seas, the Barents Sea belongs to the type of continental marginal seas. This is one of the largest seas in terms of area. Its area is 1,424 thousand km2, its volume is 316 thousand km3, its average depth is 222 m, and its maximum depth is 600 m.

There are many islands in the Barents Sea. Among them are the archipelagos of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land, Novaya Zemlya, the islands of Hope, King Karl, Kolguev and others. Small islands are mainly grouped into archipelagos located near the mainland or more major islands, for example, Cross, Gorbov, Gulyaev Koshki, etc. Its complex dissected coastline forms numerous capes, fjords, bays, bays. Separate sections of the Barents Sea coast belong to different morphological types of coasts. The shores of the Barents Sea are mostly abrasion, but there are accumulative and icy ones. The northern shores of Scandinavia and the Kola Peninsula are mountainous and steeply cut to the sea, they are indented by numerous fjords. The southeastern part of the sea is characterized by low, gently sloping shores. The western coast of Novaya Zemlya is low and hilly, and in its northern part glaciers come close to the sea. Some of them flow directly into the sea. Similar shores are found on Franz Josef Land and on about. North-Eastern land of the Svalbard archipelago.
Climate

The position of the Barents Sea at high latitudes beyond the Arctic Circle, direct connection with the Atlantic Ocean and the Central Arctic Basin determine the main features of the sea's climate. In general, the climate of the sea is polar maritime, characterized by long winters, short cold summers, small annual changes in air temperature, and high relative humidity.

In the northern part of the sea, arctic air dominates, in the south - air temperate latitudes. At the border of these two main streams, an atmospheric arctic front passes, generally directed from Iceland through about. Bear to the northern tip of Novaya Zemlya. Cyclones and anticyclones often form here, affecting the nature of the weather in the Barents Sea.

In winter, with the deepening of the Icelandic low and its interaction with the Siberian high, the Arctic front becomes aggravated, which entails an increase in cyclonic activity over the central part of the Barents Sea. As a result, very changeable weather is established over the sea with strong winds, large fluctuations in air temperature, and "charges" of precipitation. This season is dominated by southwesterly winds. In the northwest of the sea, northeast winds are also often observed, and in the southeast part of the sea - winds from the south and southeast. The wind speed is usually 4-7 m/s, but sometimes it increases to 12-16 m/s. The average monthly temperature of the coldest month - March - is equal to -22 ° in Svalbard, -2 ° in the western part of the sea, in the east, near about. Kolguev, –14° and in the southeastern part -16°. This distribution of air temperature is associated with the warming effect of the Norwegian Current and the cooling effect of the Kara Sea.

In summer, the Icelandic low becomes less deep, and the Siberian anticyclone collapses. A stable anticyclone is forming over the Barents Sea. As a result, relatively stable, cool and cloudy weather with weak, predominantly northeasterly winds prevails here.

In the warmest months - July and August - in the western and central parts of the sea the average monthly air temperature is 8-9°, in the south-eastern region it is somewhat lower - about 7° and in the north it drops to 4-6°. The usual summer weather is disturbed by the intrusion of air masses from the Atlantic Ocean. At the same time, the wind changes direction to the southwest and increases to 10-12 m/s. Such intrusions occur mainly in the western and central parts of the sea, while relatively stable weather continues to persist in the north.

During the transitional seasons (spring and autumn), baric fields are restructured, so unstable cloudy weather with strong and variable winds prevails over the Barents Sea. In the spring, precipitation is not uncommon, falling out in “charges”, the air temperature rises rapidly. In autumn, the temperature drops slowly.
Water temperature and salinity

River runoff in relation to the area and volume of the sea is small and averages about 163 km3/year. 90% of it is concentrated in the southeastern part of the sea. The largest rivers of the Barents Sea basin carry their waters to this region. The Pechora discharges about 130 km3 of water in an average year, which is approximately 70% of the total coastal runoff into the sea per year. Several small rivers also flow here. The northern coast of Norway and the coast of the Kola Peninsula account for only about 10% of the runoff. Here, small mountain-type rivers flow into the sea.

The maximum continental runoff is observed in spring, the minimum - in autumn and winter. River runoff significantly affects the hydrological conditions only in the southeastern, shallowest part of the sea, which is sometimes called the Pechora Sea (more precisely, the Pechora Sea Basin).

The determining influence on the nature of the Barents Sea is exerted by water exchange with neighboring seas, and mainly with warm Atlantic waters. The annual inflow of these waters is approximately 74 thousand km3. They bring about 177 1012 kcal of heat to the sea. Of this amount, only 12% is absorbed during the exchange of the waters of the Barents Sea with other seas. The rest of the heat is spent in the Barents Sea, so it is one of the warmest seas in the Arctic Ocean. In large areas of this sea from the European coast to 75 ° N.L. All year round there is a positive water temperature on the surface, and the area does not freeze.

Four water masses are distinguished in the structure of the waters of the Barents Sea.

1. Atlantic waters (from the surface to the bottom), coming from the southwest, from the north and northeast from the Arctic basin (from 100-150 m to the bottom). These are warm and salty waters.

2. Arctic waters entering in the form of surface currents from the north. They have negative temperature and low salinity.

3. Coastal waters coming with the continental runoff from the White Sea and with the coastal current along the coast of Norway from the Norwegian Sea. In summer these waters are characterized by high temperature and low salinity, in winter - by low temperature and salinity. The characteristics of winter coastal waters are close to those of the Arctic.

4. Barents Sea waters are formed in the sea itself as a result of the transformation of Atlantic waters under the influence of local conditions. These waters are characterized by low temperature and high salinity. IN winter time the entire northeastern part of the sea from the surface to the bottom is filled with Barents Sea waters, and the southwestern part is filled with Atlantic waters. Traces of coastal waters are found only in surface horizons. Arctic waters are absent. Due to intensive mixing, the waters entering the sea quickly transform into the Barents Sea water.

IN summer time the entire northern part of the Barents Sea is filled with Arctic waters, the central one is Atlantic, and the southern one is coastal. At the same time, arctic and coastal waters occupy surface horizons. At the depths in the northern part of the sea are the Barents Sea waters, and in the southern part - the Atlantic. Surface water temperatures generally decrease from the southwest to the northeast.

In winter, in the south and southwest, the temperature on the water surface is 4-5°, in the central regions 0-3°, and in the northern and northeastern parts it is close to freezing.

In summer, the temperatures on the surface of the water and air temperatures are close. In the south of the sea, the temperature on the surface is 8-9°, in the central part it is 3-5°, and in the north it drops to negative values. In transitional seasons (especially in spring), the distribution and values ​​of water temperature on the surface differ little from winter ones, and in autumn from summer ones.

The temperature distribution in the water column largely depends on the spread of warm Atlantic waters, on winter cooling, which extends to a considerable depth, and on the bottom topography. In this regard, the change in water temperature with depth occurs in different areas of the sea in different ways.

In the southwestern part, which is most subject to the influence of Atlantic waters, the temperature gradually and relatively slightly decreases with depth to the bottom.

Atlantic waters spread to the east along the gutters, the water temperature in them decreases from the surface to a horizon of 100-150 m, and then slightly rises towards the bottom. In the northeast of the sea in winter the low temperature extends to the horizon of 100-200 m, deeper it rises to 1°. In summer, the low surface temperature drops to 25-50 m, where its lowest (-1.5°) winter values ​​are preserved. Deeper, in the layer of 50-100 m, not affected by the winter vertical circulation, the temperature rises somewhat and is about -1°. Atlantic waters pass through the underlying horizons, and the temperature here rises to 1°. Thus, between 50-100 m there is a cold intermediate layer. In basins where warm waters do not penetrate, strong cooling occurs, for example, in the Novaya Zemlya Trench, the Central Basin, etc. The water temperature is quite uniform throughout the thickness in winter, and in summer it drops from small positive values ​​​​on the surface to about -1.7 ° at the bottom.

Underwater heights impede the movement of Atlantic waters. In this regard, above the bottom elevations, low water temperature is observed at horizons close to the surface. In addition, longer and more intensive cooling occurs above the hills and on their slopes than in deep regions. As a result, “caps of cold water” are formed near the bottom of the hill, which are typical for the banks of the Barents Sea. In the Central Highlands in winter, very low water temperatures can be traced from the surface to the bottom. In summer, it decreases with depth and reaches its minimum values ​​in the 50-100 m layer, and slightly rises again deeper. In this season, a cold intermediate layer is observed here, the lower boundary of which is formed not by warm Atlantic, but by local Barents Sea waters.

In the shallow southeastern part of the sea, seasonal changes in water temperature are well pronounced from the surface to the bottom. In winter, low water temperatures are observed throughout the thickness. Spring warming extends to horizons of 10-12 m, from where the temperature drops sharply to the bottom. In summer, the thickness of the upper heated layer increases to 15-18 m, and the temperature decreases with depth.

In autumn, the temperature of the upper layer of water begins to level off, and the distribution of temperature with depth follows the pattern of seas in temperate latitudes. In the greater part of the Barents Sea, the vertical distribution of temperature is oceanic in nature.

Due to good communication with the ocean and low continental runoff, the salinity of the Barents Sea differs little from the average salinity of the ocean.

The highest salinity on the sea surface (35‰) is observed in the southwestern part, in the region of the North Cape Trench, where saline Atlantic waters pass and there is no ice. To the north and south, salinity drops to 34.5‰ due to the melting of ice. The waters are even more freshened (up to 32-33‰) in the southeastern part of the sea, where the ice melts and where fresh waters come from land. The change in salinity at the sea surface occurs from season to season. In winter, salinity is quite high throughout the sea - about 35‰, and in the southeastern part - 32.5-33‰, since at this time of the year the influx of Atlantic waters increases, the continental runoff decreases and intensive ice formation occurs.

In spring, almost everywhere are stored high values salinity. Only in a narrow coastal strip near the Murmansk coast and in the Kanin-Kolguevsky region is the salinity lower.

In summer, the inflow of Atlantic waters is reduced, ice melts, river water spreads, so salinity decreases everywhere. In the southwestern part, salinity is 34.5‰, in the southeastern part - 29‰, and sometimes 25‰.

In autumn, at the beginning of the season, salinity remains low throughout the sea, but later, due to a decrease in continental runoff and the onset of ice formation, it increases and reaches winter values.

The change in salinity in the water column is associated with the bottom topography and with the influx of Atlantic and river waters. It mainly increases from 34‰ at the surface to 35.1‰ at the bottom. To a lesser extent, salinity changes vertically above the underwater heights.

Seasonal changes in the vertical distribution of salinity over most of the sea are rather weakly expressed. In summer, the surface layer is desalinated, and from the horizons of 25-30 m, a sharp increase in salinity with depth begins. In winter, the jump in salinity at these horizons is somewhat smoothed out. The salinity values ​​change more noticeably with depth in the southeastern part of the sea. The difference in salinity at the surface and at the bottom here can reach several ppm.

In winter, salinity almost evens out throughout the entire water column, and in spring, river waters desalinate the surface layer. In summer, its freshening is also enhanced by melted ice, so a sharp jump in salinity forms between the horizons of 10 and 25 m.

In winter, the densest waters on the surface of the Barents Sea are in the northern part. In summer, increased density is observed in the central regions of the sea. In the north, its decrease is associated with the desalination of surface water due to the melting of ice, in the south - with their heating.

In winter, in shallow water areas, the density from the surface to the bottom increases slightly. The density noticeably increases with depth in the areas where deep Atlantic waters are distributed. In spring and especially summer, under the influence of desalination of the surface layers, the vertical density stratification of water is quite clearly expressed throughout the sea. As a result of autumn cooling, density values ​​equalize with depth.

Relatively weak density stratification at usually strong winds causes intensive development of wind mixing in the Barents Sea. It covers here a layer up to 15-20 m in spring-summer time and penetrates to horizons of 25-30 m in autumn-winter season. Only in the southeastern part of the sea, where the vertical layering of waters is pronounced, does the wind mix only the uppermost layers up to horizons of 10-12 m. In autumn and winter, convective mixing is added to the wind mixing.

In the north of the sea, due to cooling and ice formation, convection penetrates up to 50-75 m. But it rarely spreads to the bottom, since when ice melts, which occur here in summer, large density gradients are created, which prevents the development of vertical circulation.

On the bottom uplifts located to the south - the Central Upland, Gusina Bank, etc. - the winter vertical circulation reaches the bottom, since in these areas the density is quite uniform throughout the entire water column. As a result, very cold and heavy waters form over the Central Highlands. From here, they gradually slide down the slopes into depressions surrounding the upland, in particular, into the Central Basin, where cold bottom waters form.
Bottom relief

The bottom of the Barents Sea is a complexly dissected underwater plain, somewhat inclined to the west and northeast. The deepest areas, including the maximum depth of the sea, are located in the western part of the sea. The bottom relief as a whole is characterized by the alternation of large structural elements- underwater heights and trenches having different directions, as well as the existence of numerous small (3-5 m) irregularities at depths of less than 200 m and terrace-like ledges on the slopes. The difference in depths in the open part of the sea reaches 400 m. The rugged bottom relief significantly affects the hydrological conditions of the sea.

Bottom relief and currents of the Barents Sea
currents

The general circulation of the waters of the Barents Sea is formed under the influence of the inflow of water from neighboring basins, the bottom topography, and other factors. As in the neighboring seas of the northern hemisphere, the general movement of surface waters counterclockwise prevails here.

The most powerful and stable flow, which largely determines the hydrological conditions of the sea, forms the warm North Cape Current. It enters the sea from the southwest and moves east in the coastal zone at a speed of about 25 cm/s; seaward, its speed decreases to 5-10 cm/s. Approximately 25°E this current is divided into the Coastal Murmansk and Murmansk currents. The first of them, 40–50 km wide, spreads to the southeast along the coasts of the Kola Peninsula, penetrates into the Throat of the White Sea, where it meets the outlet White Sea Current and moves eastward at a speed of 15–20 cm/s. Kolguev Island divides the Coastal Murmansk Current into the Kanin Current, which flows into the southeastern part of the sea and further to the Kara Gates and Yugorsky Shar straits, and the Kolguev Current, which flows first to the east and then to the northeast, to the coast of Novaya Zemlya. The Murmansk Current, about 100 km wide, with a velocity of about 5 cm/s, propagates much more seaward than the Coastal Murmansk Current. Near the meridian of 40° E, having met the rise of the bottom, it turns to the northeast and gives rise to the West Novaya Zemlya current, which, together with a part of the Kolguev current and the cold Litke current entering through the Kara Gates, forms the eastern periphery of the cyclonic gyre common to the Barents Sea . In addition to the branched system of the warm North Cape current, cold currents are clearly expressed in the Barents Sea. Along the Perseus upland, from the northeast to the southwest, along the Medvezhinsky shallow water, the Perseus current passes. Merging with the cold waters at about. Nadezhda, it forms the Medvezhinsky current, the speed of which is approximately 50 cm / s.

The currents of the Barents Sea are significantly affected by large-scale baric fields. Thus, with the localization of the Polar Anticyclone near the coasts of Alaska and Canada and with the relatively westerly location of the Icelandic Low, the West Novaya Zemlya current penetrates far to the north, and part of its water flows into the Kara Sea. The other part of this current deviates to the west and is reinforced by waters coming from the Arctic Basin (east of Franz Josef Land). The inflow of surface Arctic waters brought by the East Svalbard current is increasing.

With a significant development of the Siberian High and, at the same time, a more northerly location of the Icelandic Low, the outflow of water from the Barents Sea through the straits between Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land, as well as between Franz Josef Land and Svalbard, prevails.

The general picture of currents is complicated by local cyclonic and anticyclonic gyres.

The tides in the Barents Sea are mainly caused by the Atlantic tidal wave, which enters the sea from the southwest, between the North Cape and Svalbard, and moves to the east. Near the entrance to Matochkin Shar, it turns partly to the northwest, partly to the southeast.

The northern margins of the sea are affected by another tidal wave coming from the Arctic Ocean. As a result, near the northeastern coast of Svalbard and near Franz Josef Land, the interference of the Atlantic and northern waves occurs. The tides of the Barents Sea almost everywhere have a regular semidiurnal character, as well as the currents they cause, but the change in the direction of tidal currents occurs differently in different areas of the sea.

Along the Murmansk coast, in the Cheshskaya Bay, in the west of the Pechora Sea, tidal currents are close to reversible. In the open parts of the sea, the direction of the currents in most cases changes clockwise, and on some banks - counterclockwise. The change in the direction of tidal currents occurs simultaneously in the entire layer from the surface to the bottom.

The highest speed of tidal currents (about 150 cm/s) is noted in the surface layer. High velocities are characteristic of tidal currents along the Murmansk coast, at the entrance to the White Sea Funnel, in the Kanin-Kolguevsky region and in the South Spitsbergen shallow water. In addition to strong currents, tides cause significant changes in the level of the Barents Sea. The height of the tide off the coast of the Kola Peninsula reaches 3 m. In the north and northeast, the magnitude of the tides becomes smaller and is 1-2 m off the coast of Svalbard, and only 40-50 cm off the southern coast of Franz Josef Land. This is due to the peculiarities bottom topography, coast configuration and interference of tidal waves coming from the Atlantic and Arctic oceans.

In addition to tidal fluctuations in the Barents Sea, seasonal changes in the level are also traced, mainly caused by the influence of atmospheric pressure and winds. The difference between the maximum and minimum position of the average level in Murmansk can reach 40-50 cm.

Strong and prolonged winds cause surge fluctuations in the level. They are most significant (up to 3 m) near the Kola coast and near Svalbard (about 1 m), smaller values ​​(up to 0.5 m) are observed off the coast of Novaya Zemlya and in the southeastern part of the sea.

Large expanses of clear water, frequent and strong steady winds favor the development of waves in the Barents Sea. Especially strong waves are observed in winter, when with long (at least 16-18 hours) western and south-western winds (up to 20-25 m/s) in the central regions of the sea, the most developed waves can reach a height of 10-11 m. In the coastal zone waves are smaller. With prolonged northwestern storm winds, the wave height reaches 7-8 m. Starting from April, the intensity of waves decreases. Waves of 5 m or more are rarely repeated. The sea is calmest in the summer months, the frequency of storm waves 5-6 m high does not exceed 1-3%. In autumn, the intensity of waves increases and in November it approaches winter.
ice coverage

The Barents Sea is one of the Arctic Seas, but it is the only one of the Arctic seas that, due to the influx of warm Atlantic waters into its southwestern part, never completely freezes. Due to weak currents from the Kara Sea, ice practically does not enter the Barents Sea from there.

Thus, ice of local origin is observed in the Barents Sea. In the central and southeastern parts of the sea, this first year ice, which form in autumn and winter, and melt in spring and summer. Only on far north and the northeast there are old ice, including sometimes the arctic pack.

Ice formation in the sea begins in September in the north, in October in the central regions, and in November in the southeast. The sea is dominated by floating ice, among which there are icebergs. They usually concentrate near Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land and Svalbard. Icebergs are formed from glaciers descending to the sea from these islands. Occasionally, icebergs are carried by currents far to the south, up to the coast of the Kola Peninsula. Usually the Barents Sea icebergs do not exceed 25 m in height and 600 m in length.

Fast ice in the Barents Sea is poorly developed. It occupies relatively small areas in the Kaninsky-Pechora region and near Novaya Zemlya, and off the coast of the Kola Peninsula it is found only in bays.

In the southeastern part of the sea and off the western shores of Novaya Zemlya, ice polynyas persist throughout the winter. Ice is most common in the sea in April, when it covers up to 75% of its area. Thickness of smooth sea ​​ice of local origin in most areas does not exceed 1 m. The thickest ice (up to 150 cm) is found in the north and northeast.

In spring and summer, first-year ice melts quickly. In May, the southern and southeastern regions are freed from ice, and by the end of summer, almost the entire sea is cleared of ice (with the exception of areas adjacent to Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land and the southeastern coast of Svalbard).

The ice coverage of the Barents Sea varies from year to year, which is associated with the different intensity of the North Cape Current, with the nature of large-scale atmospheric circulation, and with general warming or cooling of the Arctic as a whole.
Economic importance

BARENTS SEA(Norwegian Barentshavet, until 1853 the Murmansk Sea, Murman) is a marginal sea of ​​the Arctic Ocean. It washes the shores of Russia and Norway. The sea is limited by the northern coast of Europe and the archipelagos of Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya. The area of ​​the sea is 1424 thousand km², the depth is up to 600 m. The sea is located on the continental shelf. The southwestern part of the sea does not freeze in winter due to the influence of the North Atlantic Current. The southeastern part of the sea is called the Pechora Sea. The Barents Sea is of great importance for transport and for fishing - large ports are located here - Murmansk and Vardø (Norway).

Border of the White and Barents Seas. The Barents Sea is the marginal water area of ​​the Arctic Ocean on the border with the Atlantic Ocean, between the northern coast of Europe in the south and the islands of Vaigach, Novaya Zemlya, Franz Josef Land in the east, Svalbard and Bear Island in the west.

maritime borders. In the West it borders on the Norwegian Sea basin, in the south - on the White Sea, in the east - on the Kara Sea, in the north - on the Arctic Ocean. The region of the Barents Sea, located to the east of Kolguev Island, is called the Pechora Sea.

Coastline. The southwestern shores of the Barents Sea are predominantly fjord-like, high, rocky, and heavily indented. The largest bays are: Porsanger Fjord, Varangian Bay (also known as Varanger Fjord), Motovsky Bay, Kola Bay, etc. East of the Kanin Nos Peninsula, the coastal relief changes dramatically - the coasts are mostly low and slightly indented. There are 3 large shallow bays here: (Cheshskaya Bay, Pechora Bay, Khaipudyrskaya Bay), as well as several small bays.

Archipelagos and islands. There are few islands within the Barents Sea. The largest of them is Kolguev Island. From the west, north and east, the sea is bounded by the Svalbard, Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya archipelagos.

Hydrography. The largest rivers flowing into the Barents Sea are Pechora and Indiga.

currents.Surface currents of the sea form a cycle counterclockwise. Along the southern and eastern periphery, the Atlantic waters of the warm North Cape current (a branch of the Gulf Stream system) move east and north, the influence of which can be traced to the northern shores of Novaya Zemlya. The northern and western parts of the circulation are formed by local and Arctic waters coming from the Kara Sea and the Arctic Ocean. In the central part of the sea there is a system of intracircular currents. The circulation of sea waters changes under the influence of changes in winds and water exchange with adjacent seas. Of great importance, especially near the coast, are tidal currents. The tides are semi-diurnal, their greatest value is 6.1 m near the coast of the Kola Peninsula, in other places 0.6-4.7 m.

Water exchange. Water exchange with neighboring seas is of great importance in the water balance of the Barents Sea. During the year, about 76,000 km³ of water enters the sea through the straits (and the same amount leaves it), which is approximately 1/4 of the total volume of sea water. The largest amount of water (59,000 km³ per year) is carried by the warm North Cape current, which has an exceptionally great influence on the hydrometeorological regime of the sea. The total river flow to the sea is on average 200 km³ per year.

Salinity. The salinity of the surface layer of water in the open sea during the year is 34.7-35.0‰ in the southwest, 33.0-34.0‰ in the east, and 32.0-33.0‰ in the north. In the coastal strip of the sea in spring and summer, salinity drops to 30-32 ‰, by the end of winter it rises to 34.0-34.5 ‰.

Climate.The climate of the Barents Sea is influenced by the warm Atlantic Ocean and the cold Arctic Ocean. Frequent intrusions of warm Atlantic cyclones and cold Arctic air determine the great variability of weather conditions. In winter, southwest winds prevail over the sea, in spring and summer - northeast winds. Frequent storms. The average air temperature in February varies from -25 °C in the north to -4 °C in the southwest. The average temperature in August is 0 °C, 1 °C in the north, 10 °C in the southwest. Cloudy weather prevails over the sea during the year. Annual rainfall varies from 250 mm in the north to 500 mm in the southwest.

ice coverage. Severe climatic conditions in the north and east of the Barents Sea determine its large ice cover. In all seasons of the year, only the southwestern part of the sea remains free of ice. The ice cover reaches its greatest distribution in April, when about 75% of the sea surface is occupied by floating ice. In extremely unfavorable years at the end of winter, floating ice comes directly to the shores of the Kola Peninsula. The least amount of ice occurs at the end of August. At this time, the ice boundary moves beyond 78°N. sh. In the northwest and northeast of the sea, ice usually stays all year round, but in some favorable years the sea is almost completely or even completely free of ice.

Temperature. The inflow of warm Atlantic waters determines the relatively high temperature and salinity in the southwestern part of the sea. Here, in February - March, the water temperature on the surface is 3 °C, 5 °C, in August it rises to 7 °C, 9 °C. North of 74° N. sh. and in the southeastern part of the sea in winter the surface water temperature is below -1 °C, and in summer in the north 4 °C, 0 °C, in the southeast 4 °C, 7 °C. In summer, in the coastal zone, the surface layer of warm water 5-8 meters thick can warm up to 11-12 °C.

Flora and fauna. The Barents Sea is rich in various fish species, plant and animal plankton and benthos. Seaweed is common off the south coast. Of the 114 species of fish living in the Barents Sea, 20 species are the most important for commercial purposes: cod, haddock, herring, sea bass, catfish, flounder, halibut, etc. Mammals are found: polar bear, seal, harp seal, beluga whale, etc. The seal is being hunted. Bird colonies abound on the coasts (guillemots, guillemots, kittiwakes). In the 20th century, the king crab was introduced, which was able to adapt to new conditions and begin to multiply intensively. Many different echinoderms are distributed along the bottom of the entire water area of ​​the sea, sea ​​urchins and starfish, different types.

Economic value. The Barents Sea is of great economic importance both for the Russian Federation and for Norway and other countries.

food industry and shipping. The sea is rich in various fish species, plant and animal plankton and benthos, so the Barents Sea is an area of ​​intensive fishing. In addition, the sea route is very important, connecting the European part of Russia (especially the European North) with the ports of the western (from the 16th century) and eastern countries (from the 19th century), as well as Siberia (from the 15th century). The main and largest port is the non-freezing port of Murmansk, the capital of the Murmansk region. Other ports in the Russian Federation - Teriberka, Indiga, Naryan-Mar (Russia); Vardø, Vadso and Kirkenes (Norway).

Naval potential. The Barents Sea is the region where not only the merchant fleet, but also the Russian Navy, including nuclear submarines, is deployed.

WHITE SEA(until the 17th century Studenoe, Solovetsky, Northern, Calm, White Bay) - an inland sea in the north of the European part of Russia, belongs to the Arctic Ocean.

Among the seas washing Russia, the White Sea is one of the smallest (only the Sea of ​​Azov is smaller). Its surface area is 90 thousand km² (with numerous small islands, among which the Solovetsky Islands are the most famous, - 90.8 thousand km²), that is, 1/16 of the area of ​​the Barents Sea, the volume is only 4.4 thousand km³. The greatest length of the White Sea from Cape Kanin Nos to Kem is 600 km.

Greatest depth sea ​​340 meters, the average - 67 meters.

The border between the White and Barents Seas is the line drawn from Cape Svyatoy Nos (Kola Peninsula) to Cape Kanin Nos (Kanin Peninsula).

The large rivers Kem, Mezen, Onega, Ponoi, Northern Dvina and many small rivers flow into the White Sea.

Main ports: Arkhangelsk, Belomorsk, Kandalaksha, Kem, Mezen, Onega, Severodvinsk.

The White Sea-Baltic Canal connects the White Sea with the Baltic Sea and with the Volga-Baltic Waterway.

The entire White Sea is inland waters Russia.

The water area of ​​the White Sea is divided into several parts: Basin, Throat (the strait connecting the White Sea with the Barents Sea; the Throat of the White Sea is called “Girlo” by the Pomors, this word in just such a vowel is cited in his story “Imprinted Glory” by B. V. Shergin), Funnel, Onega Bay, Dvinskaya Bay, Mezenskaya Bay, Kandalaksha Bay. The shores of the White Sea have their own names and are traditionally divided (in order of enumeration counterclockwise from the coast of the Kola Peninsula) into Tersky, Kandalaksha, Karelsky, Pomorsky, Onega, Summer, Winter, Mezensky and Kaninsky; sometimes the Mezensky coast is divided into the Abramovskiy and Konushinsky coasts, and part of the Onega coast is called the Lyamitsky coast.

The shores of the sea (Onega and Kandalaksha bays) are indented by numerous bays and bays. The western banks are steep, the eastern ones are low.

On the hydrological regime seas are influenced by climatic conditions, water exchange with the Barents Sea, tidal phenomena, river runoff and bottom topography.

The tidal wave from the Barents Sea has a semidiurnal character. The average height of spring tides ranges from 0.6 (Zimnyaya Zolotitsa) to 3 meters, in some narrow bays it reaches 7 meters (7.7 meters in the Mezen Bay, the mouth of the Semzha River). The tidal wave penetrates upstream the rivers flowing into the sea (up to 120 kilometers on the Northern Dvina).

In spite of small area On the surface of the sea, storm activity is developed on it, especially in autumn, when during storms the wave height reaches 6 meters.

Surge phenomena in the cold season reach a value of 75-90 centimeters at sea.

Every year for 6-7 months the sea is covered with ice. Fast ice forms near the coast and in the bays, the central part of the sea is usually covered with floating ice, reaching a thickness of 35-40 centimeters, and in severe winters - up to one and a half meters.

Temperature surface layer of sea water varies greatly depending on the season in different parts seas. During the summer surface water bays and the central part of the sea warm up to 15-16 °C, while in the Onega Bay and Gorlo - no higher than 9 °C. In winter, the temperature of surface waters drops to −1.3…-1.7 °C in the center and in the north of the sea, in the bays - to −0.5…-0.7 °C.

Deep water layers (below a depth of 50 meters) have a constant temperature, regardless of the season of the year, from −1.0 ° C to +1.5 ° C, while at the Gorla, due to intense tidal turbulent mixing, the vertical temperature distribution is uniform.

Salinity sea ​​water associated with the hydrological regime. A large inflow of river waters and an insignificant exchange with the Barents Sea have led to a relatively low salinity of the surface waters of the sea (26 ppm and below). The salinity of deep waters is much higher - up to 31 ppm. Desalinated surface water moves along the eastern shores of the sea and enters the Barents Sea through the Gorlo, from where saltier waters enter the White Sea along the western shores. In the center of the sea there is an annular counterclockwise current.

Flora and fauna. The fauna of the White Sea is dominated by arctic species, which are clearly manifested already in the lower horizon of the sublittoral (45-150 m). Here, the salinity of the water is almost unchanged, the temperature is low and the amount of light is small. On rarely scattered rocky areas, red algae are still found, for example, odonthalia, polysiphonia, anfeltia with all their inherent biocenoses, groups of hydroids, bryozoans, and sponges. But basically this area is occupied by soft soils, on which cold-loving forms settle, such as molluscs, northern joldia, cardium, maqoma, northern and oval astartes, many polychaetes, starfish and brittle stars.

Starting from 150 m and further into the depth, the zone of the White Sea pseudo-abyssal stretches. It is distinguished by the absence of light and vegetation, constant temperature and salinity of the water. Here, in semi-liquid silts, the mollusks arctic portlandia and ice become the predominant forms. From the sublittoral, starfish of the genus Asterias and brittle ophiacanthus descend here. In addition, this area is characterized by such deep-water White Sea species as the sessile jellyfish alfalfa, the transparent ascidia eugur, the molluscs Lionsia and modiolaria, the crustacean acanthostefeira and high arctic fish species, such as the leptagon and the Arctic Sea chanterelle - Ulcina.

Among the inhabitants of the oxen mass form of arctic origin are planktonic crustaceans Calanus and Mitridia. the winged mollusk clione, and mammals - harp seals, sea hares and beluga whales. The main commercial fish of the sea, such as cod, cod, navaga, and sea flounder, also belong to cold-water species.

It washes the northern coasts of Russia and Norway and is located on the northern continental shelf. The average depth is 220 meters. It is the most westerly relative to the rest of the seas of the Arctic. In addition, the Barents Sea is separated from the White Sea by a narrow strait. The boundaries of the sea pass along the northern coasts of Europe, the archipelagos of Svalbard, Novaya Zemlya and Franz Josef Land. In winter, almost the entire sea freezes, with the exception of its southwestern part due to the North Atlantic Current. The sea is a strategic object for navigation and fishing.

The largest and most economically important seaports Murmansk and Norwegian - Vardø are considered. Now a serious problem is the pollution of the sea with radioactive substances that come here from Norwegian factories.

Importance of the sea for the economy of Russia and Norway

The seas have always been the most valuable natural objects for the development of the economy, trade, and defense of any country. The Barents Sea is no exception, which has the most important strategic importance for coastal states. Naturally, the waters of this northern sea provide an excellent platform for the development of maritime trade routes, as well as for military vessels. The Barents Sea is a real treasure for Russia and Norway, as it is home to hundreds of species of fish. That is why the fishing industry is very developed in the region. If you do not know, then read about it on our website.

The most valuable and expensive species of fish caught from this sea are: sea bass, cod, haddock and herring. Another important facility is a modern power plant in Murmansk, which generates electricity using the tidal power of the Barents Sea.

The only ice-free polar port in Russia is the port of Murmansk. Through the waters of this sea pass important sea routes for many countries, followed by merchant ships. Interesting northern animals live near the Barents Sea, for example: polar white bear, seals, seals, beluga whales. The Kamchatka crab was artificially imported, which took root well here.

Holidays on the Barents Sea

It is interesting, but lately it has become fashionable to prefer an extraordinary vacation in exotic places, which at first glance seem completely unsuitable for a long-awaited vacation. Travel lovers began to wonder where else, apart from tourist-filled places, you can go and at the same time get a lot of pleasure and impressions. You may be a little surprised, but one of these places is the Barents Sea.

Of course, in order to bask in the sun and sunbathe on the beach, a trip to this northern sea, for obvious reasons, is not justified.

But there are other interesting things to do in this region. For example, diving is very popular. The water temperature, especially in July-August, is quite acceptable for diving in a wetsuit. The waters here are home to an amazing variety of marine life. If you have never seen live kelp, holothurians and huge king crabs (they look pretty awesome), then be sure to go to this place. You will discover many new sensations and get vivid impressions. Yachting is another favorite activity of tourists coming to these parts. You can rent a yacht right on the coast. Take care of your clothes, they should be warm and waterproof. There are various yachting routes in the Barents Sea, but the direction to the Seven Islands is especially popular. There you will see large colonies of northern birds that build their nests on the shores of the islands. By the way, they are accustomed to people and are not afraid of them. In winter, drifting blocks of ice can be seen in the distance.

Cities on the Barents Sea

Several large cities are located along the coastline of the Barents Sea: Russian Murmansk and Norwegian Kirkenes and Svalbard. A lot of sights are collected in Murmansk. For many, a trip to the oceanarium will be a very interesting and memorable event, where you can see many types of fish and other unusual inhabitants of the seas. Be sure to visit the main square of Murmansk - the Five Corners Square, as well as the monument to the defenders Soviet Arctic. We recommend going to the picturesque Semyonovskoye Lake.

In Norwegian Kirkenes, very informative and exciting excursions are held at the World War II Museum. Nearby is a beautiful monument dedicated to the soldiers of the Red Army. From natural objects visit the impressive Andersgrot cave.

Svalbard will surprise you with magnificent nature reserves and national parks, where you can see amazing natural beauty, as well as the highest point of the archipelago - Mount Newton (height 1712 meters).