The Indian Ocean is one of the three largest bodies of water on planet Earth. It extends from the shores of Antarctica to Asian countries. Lies between Africa and Australia. It borders on the waters of the Pacific and Atlantic. Its area exceeds 70,000 square kilometers, and the average depth reaches 4,000 m.
Submarine relief
The geography of the Indian Ocean has a minimal number of seas. There are also few islands. The most famous of them are Sri Lanka, Maldives, Andaman and Madagascar. The southern part of the coastline is practically not indented, which cannot be said about the relief of the north. The width of the shelf does not exceed one hundred kilometers. The angle of the continental slope is steep and varies in the range from 10 to 30 °.
The Indian Ocean is rich in deposits of gas and oil, monazite sand, ore of chromium, copper and other metals. Its bottom is made of thalassocratons. They are responsible for tectonic stability. On the periphery of the bed, mainland platforms were located.
Hydrology
The salinity of the Indian Ocean is due to the circulation of surface currents. Moreover, in its northern zone, the movement of water is monsoon. Starting in June, eastern and northern currents prevail. In winter - western and southern. In mid-January, an equatorial movement is emerging on its territory. Cyclonic cycles and cold formations are also distinguished.
The temperature and salinity of the Indian Ocean are inextricably linked. Water heating averages +20 ° . Maximum values exceed +30 ° C. They are celebrated in the second half of May. At the equator, the current warms up to +28 ° C. Off the coast of Africa, other readings were recorded - about +23 ° C. Meteorologists note that in the subtropics the water is hotter at 5 ° C than in the eastern part. The main energy costs are accounted for by the process of evaporation of moisture, others - by heat exchange with the layers of the atmosphere.
The salinity of the Indian Ocean directly depends on the balance of the volume of moisture evaporation from the surface and runoff from the mainland. If you believe the statistics, then within one year these values are 1,380 and 1,000 millimeters, respectively. Replenish the river water supply. Originating several tens of thousands of kilometers from the coast, they slowly carry their waves to complete the journey in a bottomless abyss.
The salinity of the Indian Ocean in ppm is 34.8 ‰. It is customary to classify the Ganges and Limpopo channels as natural drains. As well as the course of the Brahmaputra and Zambezi. They are the natural desalination plants of the coastal zones of the African and Eurasian continents.
The maximum salinity of the Indian Ocean in ppm is observed in the region of the Arabian Peninsula. We are talking about the Red and Arabian Seas, the Persian Gulf. But, for example, in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal, this parameter is already somewhat less. The most fresh region is considered to be located south of 40 °. Here the minimum salinity of the Indian Ocean. In percentage it is only 33 units.
main parameters
The density of water also varies. In the west, its value tends to 1,024. In the Nordic latitudes, it is 1,027. It reaches its minimum in the Bay of Bengal and in the northeastern part. Enrichment with oxygen also occurs unevenly. In the north it is 4.5 milliliters, and in the south it is 8, which once again indicates that the salinity of the Indian Ocean is great.
The color of water is also associated with it . At depth, it is usually dark blue, almost black. Closer to the Antarctic it turns blue. Off the coast acquires a characteristic greenish tint. As for low tide periods, their strength is not as significant as in other oceans, and the process itself occurs in a semi-daily mode.
There are ice blocks in the north. In February, they migrate and reach 68 ° south latitude. At the end of summer, their path is already much shorter. Only occasionally icebergs manage to overcome 55 °.
Vertical circulation
The deep structure and salinity of the Indian Ocean are caused by currents. They originate in the Antarctic and subtropical zones. The former are called near-bottom, while the latter are called subsurface. There are also intermediate twists. Deep currents come from the Atlantic and partly from the Red Sea.
So, the distribution of salinity in the Indian Ocean is as follows:
- subtropical formations - 35 ‰ ;
- Antarctic waters - 34 ‰ ;
- Atlantic currents - 34.68 ‰ ;
- continental flows - 34.77 ‰.
Fauna
In shallow water, a huge number of varieties of corals have been recorded, which together create amazing natural structures. Atolls and even entire islands are the result of their work. In the labyrinths of such "buildings" there are crabs and worms, sponges, starfish, hedgehogs and colorful fish.
In muddy areas you can find a jumper. This is a fish that for a long time may not be in the aquatic environment, but in the open air. Invertebrates, anchovies, sharks, snakes, tuna, whales, dugongs live in the deep layers of the ocean. Typical representatives of birds in the Indian Ocean are frigates and snow-white albatrosses. Penguins live on the coast.
Flora
The plant world of the bottom surface is formed by anterior, red, diatom and calcareous algae. These include fucus, macrocystis, kelp. Blue-green organisms are responsible for the so-called flowering of water.
Fishing
Fishing is an advantage in the coastal waters of the Indian Ocean. Its share hardly exceeds 5% of the total production. Near Antarctica, the fishery targets whale representatives.
Some areas of Australia are collecting pearls. The Persian basin boasts abundant oil deposits. In other regions, iron and manganese ore is mined. Here and there are diamonds.