The Barents Sea is a sea located on the edge of the Arctic Ocean. More precisely, it lies beyond the Arctic 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 coast of Norway, but most of all - by Russia. This place has not been studied to the end. Many do not even know what the salinity of the Barents Sea is and what is the temperature of its waters. Well, you can figure it out.
Fresh water
The salinity and temperature of the Barents Sea depend on many indicators. After all, water comes here not only thanks to the rivers, but also from the Atlantic. All this affects the salinity and temperature. It should be clarified that the river flow, given the volume and area of the sea, is small in this case. About 163 cubic kilometers of fresh water come here during the year. 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 availability, Pechora discharges into the reservoir about 130 cubic meters of water. This represents about 70% of the total river flow during the year. In this area, several more shallow reservoirs flow into the sea.
It is worth noting that on the banks of the Kola Peninsula and the coast of Norway account for only 10% of the river flow. Indeed, mainly small mountain streams flow here. The highest rate of continental runoff is observed in spring, and the minimum - in winter and autumn. But this also affects the salinity of the Barents Sea. The river runoff is substantially reflected only on the hydrological conditions of the southeastern part. This area of the sea is the most shallow, 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 freshwater drains. These factors are influenced by other factors. Do not forget about water exchange with the seas located in the neighborhood. Of course, their features should be taken into account. Most of all in the Barents Sea comes the Atlantic warm waters. The annual influx is approximately 74 thousand square kilometers.
Water from neighboring seas brings from 177 to 1012 kcal of heat to the Barents Sea. Of this amount, only 12% is absorbed. The rest of the heat is consumed in the Barents Sea. Naturally, the waters are not so cold. It is worth noting: 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 shores to 75 ° north latitude is constantly above zero.
Water structure
To determine what salinity is near the Barents Sea, it is worth considering carefully the structure of its waters. At the moment, there are 4 main masses:
- Atlantic water masses - this is the bulk of the water: from the surface to the bottom. They come mainly from the northeast, north and southwest from the Arctic Basin. Such masses are salty and warm.
- Arctic waters are masses that enter the sea from the north in the form of a surface current. These waters have a low salinity, as well as a negative temperature.
- Coastal waters. These masses enter the sea with continental runoff from the White Sea, as well as along with the coastal current from the Norwegian Sea along the coast of Norway. In the summer, these waters have an elevated temperature and low salinity. In winter, the characteristics of the coastal masses are very similar to the Arctic masses.
- The waters of the Barents Sea are the bulk 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 northeastern part is completely filled with the local waters of the Barents Sea, and the southwestern part is Atlantic. Arctic masses are completely absent, and coastal masses are noted only in surface currents. It should be noted that the salinity of the Barents Sea remains virtually unchanged. After all, various masses are quickly mixed here.
Barents Sea: water salinity
The Barents Sea is well connected with the ocean. In this case, the continental runoff of fresh water is small. 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 southwestern part, the highest salinity of the Barents Sea is noted. Here this figure is 35 ‰. This is the area of the North Cape Trench. Here salty Atlantic water masses pass and there is never ice.
In the southern and northern parts there is a decrease in indicators to 34.5 ‰. Melting of the ice is noted in this area. In the southeast, water masses are even more fresh. In this area, the salinity of the Barents Sea in ppm is approximately 32-33 ‰. The largest river flow of fresh water is noted here. Melting of ice is also taking place in this area.
Salinity and layers
Changes in salinity in the water column depend on the inflows of Atlantic water masses, river flows, as well as on the topography of the bottom. On the surface, they can range from 34 ‰ and above, and at the very bottom - up to 35.2 ‰. To a lesser extent, vertical changes are noted above underwater hills.
It is worth noting that during the season salinity indicators practically do not change. 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 leap is almost smoothed out. In the southeastern part, salinity indicators are clearly visible with depth. It is worth noting that in such places the difference can be several ppm.
In winter, an equalization of indicators is observed over almost the entire thickness of the Barents Sea. In spring, the surface layer becomes more fresh. In summer, this process only intensifies due to melting ice. That is why a sharp jump in salinity indicators is noted between horizons 10–25.
Water density
In addition, do not forget about other factors. For example, in the northern region of the sea in winter, water masses are denser, and in the central - in summer. Moreover, the reasons for this phenomenon are completely different. In the north, this occurs due to fresh water, and in the south - as a result of heating.
Seasonal salinity of the Barents Sea
In winter, the indicator over the entire area of the sea is quite high and amounts to 35 ‰. The smallest in the southeastern part is up to 33 ‰. This is due to the large influx of Atlantic masses, a decrease in continental runoff and intense ice formation. In spring, high salinity values are maintained. The only exception is the narrow coastal strip in the Kaninsko-Kolguyevsky district and near the Murmansk coast. Here the salinity decreases.
In the summer, there is an influx of water from the Atlantic, melting 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 can drop to 25 ‰, and in the south-western part - up to 34.5 ‰. In the fall, indicators also remain low. However, due to the fact that the continental runoff is gradually slowing, the salinity of the Barents Sea rises in percentage terms. Moreover, during this period, intense 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, about 110 species of fish live here. Their species diversity decreases from west to east. This is due to a decrease in the temperature of water and air, as well as with the ice regime. It is worth noting that the Barents Sea supplies many cities with cod, goby and flounder species. At the moment, haddock, capelin, herring, halibut, cod, catfish, polar cod, and sea bass are mined here.