A school course exploring the oceans must pass the Atlantic. This water area is quite interesting, which is why we will pay attention to it in our article. So, here is the characteristic of the Atlantic Ocean according to plan:
- Hydronym.
- Basic moments.
- Temperature condition.
- Salinity of water.
- The seas and islands of the Atlantic Ocean.
- Flora and fauna.
- Minerals.
- Problems.
You will also find here a brief comparative description of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Hydronym
The Atlantic Ocean, whose characteristics are presented below, got its name thanks to the ancient Greeks, who believed that the hero of myths Atlas holds the firmament on the edge of the Earth. The modern name was established in the 16th century, during the time of great navigators and discoveries.
Basic moments
The Atlantic Ocean stretched along the globe from north to south from Antarctica to Antarctica, washing 5 continents: Antarctica, North and South America, Eurasia and Africa. Its area is 91.6 million square kilometers. The deepest point of the Atlantic is the Puerto Rican Trench (8742 m), and the average depth is about 3.7 thousand m.
A characteristic feature of the second largest ocean is its elongated shape. Along the Atlantic runs the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, which divides the lithospheric plates: in the west - South American, Caribbean and North American; in the east - African and Eurasian. The length of the ridge is 16 thousand km, and the width is about 1 km. Lava eruptions and earthquakes often occur here. The discovery of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is associated with the laying of a telegraph cable, which connected America and Northern Europe in the middle of the 19th century.
Temperature mode
North Passatnoe, Gulf Stream, North Atlantic, Labrador, Canary and others are currents that form not only the climate, but the entire Atlantic Ocean. The characteristic of the temperature regime shows the following dynamics: the average water temperature is about 16.9 ° C. Conventionally, the ocean can be divided along the equator into 2 parts: northern and southern, each of which has its own climatic features, due to the Gulf Stream. The width of the water area near the equator is the smallest, so the influence of the continents is noticeably the most.
Despite the fact that the Atlantic Ocean is considered warm, its extreme southern and northern parts can reach temperatures of 0 ° C and lower. Therefore, here you can often see drifting icebergs. Today, their movement is tracked by artificial satellites of the Earth.
Atlantic Ocean: water feature
The Atlantic Ocean is the salty. The average salt content is 34.5 ppm. Salinity largely depends on precipitation, the influx of fresh water from rivers. The most saline is in tropical latitudes, because there is almost no rainfall here, strong evaporation of moisture due to high temperature, and fresh water almost does not come.
Seas and islands of the Atlantic Ocean
Most of the islands are located near the continents, which determines their continental origin: Great Britain, Ireland and others. There are also volcanic here: Canary, Iceland. But Bermuda is of coral origin.
The ruggedness of the coastline, bays, and seas fully describe the Atlantic Ocean. The characteristics of these reservoirs are very interesting. First of all, start with the seas. They are divided into 2 types: internal - Azov, Black, Mediterranean, Baltic, and external - Caribbean and Northern, etc. You can also see bays that are not inferior in size to the seas, for example, Mexican or Biscay. In the Atlantic Ocean there is an unusual sea that has no coast - Sargassovo. It got its name because of the sargasso algae, which are covered with its bottom. These algae are covered with air bubbles, so they are also called sea grapes.
Flora and fauna
The organic world of the Atlantic is characterized by a variety of living organisms. Red, brown, green algae, a large number of phytoplankton species (more than 200) grow here. Thousands of species of animals live in cold zones, and tens of thousands live in warm tropical zones. In the Atlantic Ocean, whales, seals, fur seals, and many fish swim: cod, herring, flounder, sardine, etc. Penguins and frigates live in the northern latitudes. Along the coast of Africa live large aquatic animals manatees. They feed on plants, so they are also called sea cows.
It so happened historically that the Atlantic Ocean became a source of fish for the food industry (2/5 of the world catch). It also hunts whales, walruses, seals and other animals. It satisfies our needs for lobsters, oysters, spiny lobsters, crabs.
Minerals
The ocean floor is very rich in various minerals. Great Britain and Canada produce coal here. The Gulf of Mexico and Guinea have large reserves of oil and natural gas.
Problems
The increase in anthropogenic impact on the Atlantic Ocean is negatively reflected on its inhabitants, and it is no longer able to restore its biological resources on its own. A dangerous situation is observed in the Black and Mediterranean Seas, and the Baltic Sea is considered one of the dirtiest in the world.
Comparative characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific (briefly)
In order to make a brief description of the two oceans, you need to use a clear plan:
- Water area sizes. The Atlantic covers an area of more than 91 million square meters. km, Quiet - 178.684 million square meters. km Based on this, certain conclusions can be drawn. The Pacific Ocean - the largest, the Atlantic - in second place in terms of area.
- Depth. If we compare the depth indicator, then in the Pacific Ocean the average level stops at the level of 3976 m, in the Atlantic - 3736 m. As for the maximum depth, then in the first case - 11022 m, in the second - 8742 m.
- Water volume. According to this criterion, the Atlantic Ocean also remains in second place. His indicator is 329.66 million cubic meters. km, when in the Pacific - 710.36 million cubic meters. m
- Location Coordinates of the Atlantic Ocean - 0 ° C. w. 30 ° C. It is washed by the following continents and islands: Greenland, Iceland (north), Eurasia, Africa (east), America (west), Antarctica (South). Coordinates of the Pacific Ocean - 009 ° C. w. 157 ° C e, located between Antarctica (south), North and South America (east), Australia and Eurasia (west).
To summarize
This article provides a brief description of the Atlantic Ocean, having become acquainted with which, you can already have a sufficient idea of this water area.