The most salty sea in the world. The most salty seas of our planet The most salty lake in the world's oceans is

There are about 80 seas on the planet. Some of them are so salty that it is almost impossible to drown in their water. Below are the top 10 such seas.

Our rating is opened by the White Sea, washing the borders Russian Federation. The salinity in this sea sometimes reaches about 30‰ (ppm), that is, there are 30 grams of salt per liter of water. Although the sea is salty, about 50 species of fish live in it.

Chukchi Sea (33‰)

Another "our" sea. The salinity of the Chukchi Sea is 33‰, which is what allows it, as well as the White and other seas, not to freeze in severe frosts (up to -1.8 degrees). The sea stretches between Chukotka and Alaska. Here you can meet many species of fish, as well as walruses and seals.

Laptev Sea (34‰)

Another sea washing our borders. The salinity of the Laptev Sea is slightly higher than that of the Chukchi Sea - 34‰. The reservoir stretches between Severnaya Zemlya and the New Siberian Islands. All year round the water in the sea rarely warms up above zero. There are such species of fish as sturgeon and perch, among animals - walruses.

Barents Sea (35‰)

The next sea is again slightly saltier than the previous one - 35‰. Officially, this sea is recognized as the most salty in Russia. In winter, the southwestern part of the reservoir freezes, the rest does not. The underwater world of the Barents Sea is incredibly rich - here you can meet not only whales and killer whales, but also a great many different types fish: from herring to perch.

Sea of ​​Japan (35‰)

This sea is not inferior to the Barents Sea in salinity. Partially, the Sea of ​​Japan washes the island of Sakhalin, as well as the islands of Japan and the coast of Eurasia. In the southern part, the sea warms up to 26 degrees Celsius, and therefore it can even be called a "resort". An incredible amount of living creatures lives in the Sea of ​​​​Japan: seafood and fish simply cannot be counted here.

Ionian Sea (38‰)

One of the most picturesque and cleanest seas in the world is also very salty. This sea is the densest and saltiest in Greece. In addition to the picturesque underwater world, the Ionian Sea boasts a temperature: in summer, the water warms up to 26-28 degrees. The sea is very popular with tourists.

Aegean Sea (38.5‰)

Almost the same characteristics will apply to the Aegean Sea. Doctors advise to bathe fresh water after swimming in this sea, because such a high concentration of sodium can adversely affect the skin. Greece and the Balkans bathe in this sea. Lives in it a myriad of living creatures, including octopuses, sponges and fish.

Mediterranean Sea (39.5‰)

Spread between Europe and Africa, the Mediterranean Sea is very salty in places - 39.5‰. Near the coast, where tourists rest, such salinity is not observed, it is concentrated in other parts of the reservoir. The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most diverse in its animal world - 500 species of fish, hundreds of shellfish and a lot of seafood. And this is not the limit.

Red Sea (42‰)

Another border sea, but already between Africa and Asia. The Red Sea is one of the saltiest in the world, but this does not interfere with its inhabitants - stunning corals, various fish, dolphins, molluscs and crustaceans. The water in the sea is churning all year round- In winter, the upper layers cool down and sink to the bottom, while the warm ones rise up. By the way, the sea is incredibly transparent.

Dead Sea (270‰)

The absolute champion of our rating. Located on the border of Israel and Jordan, the Dead Sea is amazed by its salinity - about 200 grams of salt per 1 liter of water (270‰). This is the sea in its own way chemical composition cardinally differs from all others on Earth: 50% of it consists of magnesium chloride, and it also contains a lot of calcium, bromine, potassium and other mineral elements.

potassium salts from water Dead Sea crystallize artificially, and the density of the reservoir is so high that it is simply impossible to drown in it. Among other things, there are therapeutic muds in the sea. Sometimes the water in the sea heats up to 40 degrees, which accelerates evaporation. And most importantly, there is no underwater world in the Dead Sea; with such salinity, it will not work to live in it. That is why it is dead.

The Black Sea is inland, its water area is surrounded by land on all sides, only narrow straits lead to the Mediterranean Sea. This entire area belongs to the Atlantic Ocean basin. The salinity of the Black Sea is lower than that of the Mediterranean and Red. The runoff of large rivers desalinates the water area, but its mystery is the formation of a layer of heavier salty water at a depth, the accumulation of dissolved hydrogen sulfide. All this does not interfere with beach and cruise vacations, shipping and fishing. After all, the surface layers are devoid of H 2 S and are well warmed up by the sun.

Cradle of ancient civilizations

The Black Sea is shaped like an oval, elongated in the latitudinal direction. This basin is almost closed, separated by large land masses from other parts of the World Ocean (MO). In the northeast, it deeply cuts into the water area Crimean peninsula, its northeastern part separates the Black and Azov seas. The basin is located in the southwestern part of the Eurasian continent. On its surface, from the northeast to the southwest, a border was drawn between two parts of the world - Asia and Europe.

The life of millions of people has long been associated with the waters of the Black and Mediterranean Seas, legends about giants and monsters were born here, greatest discoveries. Suffice it to recall that legends about Scylla and Kharbida, the voyage of the Argonauts led by Jason for the Golden Fleece to Colchis are connected with the straits and the peninsulas and islands surrounding them. Even in ancient times, Greek sailors and merchants highly appreciated the fish riches of this area, created prosperous colony cities on the shores, the remains of which can be seen on the Crimean peninsula. It is difficult to say what the salinity of the Black Sea was in ppm several thousand years ago. This indicator was introduced relatively recently, when a consistent and purposeful study of hydrological features began.

The most important geographical features affecting the salinity of the sea

Through the narrow straits of the Bosporus and the Dardanelles, the Black Sea basin is connected in series with the Sea of ​​Marmara and the Aegean, leading to the Mediterranean, which, in turn, communicates with the Atlantic Ocean through the Strait of Gibraltar. All of the listed parts of the Moscow Region are navigable and are located in the eastern part of the Atlantic. Physico- geographical features, significantly or moderately affecting the salinity of the Black Sea:

• location in the northern temperate and subtropical climatic zones;
• a large catchment area that determines the flow of fresh water from rivers;
• weak connection with the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea;
• average depth 1240 m, maximum depth 2210 m;
• absence of large tidal waves and low tides.

river runoff

A bunch of European rivers carry their waters from west to east and from north to south. The largest natural channel of the Old World - r. Danube - flows through 10 countries and brings huge fresh masses to the Black Sea. Other large and medium rivers of this basin: Dnieper, Don, Kuban, Bug, Rioni, Dniester.

Fresh river water mixes little with deeper and denser layers, so a significant part of the fresh runoff evaporates from the sea surface. But its volume is so great that it raises the level of the Black Sea water by 5 m relative to the average marks of the Atlantic Ocean. The temperature and salinity of the Black Sea, on the contrary, is lower than in neighboring parts mediterranean sea. This feature led to the birth of a current directed to the southwest, towards the Bosporus.

Water mineralization

Studying the salinity of the water of the Black Sea and other parts of the Moscow Region, researchers measure not only the total content of dissolved substances in various layers and parts of the water area, but also determine the elemental composition. In addition to H 2 O molecules, sea water contains gaseous substances, mineral and organic compounds in the form of ions, molecules and other particles. The main components of salts in the Black Sea: carbonates, sulfates, nitrates and chlorides of calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium. The presence of these dissolved substances is associated with the composition of rocks on land and the seabed. The salinity of the Black Sea is affected by various compounds that come with surface and underground runoff, precipitation. Chemical interactions occur between substances, which also affects the performance.

Water is enriched not only with salts from the composition of dissolved minerals and rocks, there is also organic matter. A significant part of the surface of the Northern Black Sea region is composed of limestone, hence the high content of calcium, magnesium and sodium salts in the water. Basalt rocks, when dissolved, increase the amount of silicon and iron. Substances contained in water increase its overall mineralization. It changes markedly by seasons, from the surface to the depths, from north to south, so reference books, textbooks and atlases may contain different indicators characterizing the salinity of the Black Sea. Most often, average values ​​are given based on long-term data.

What is salinity?

Almost the entire periodic table is present in sea water. But salinity is only the amount of dissolved substances in grams, which are obtained in solid form after evaporating 1 kg of sea water. For convenience, this indicator is expressed as a percentage and ppm.

To facilitate calculations, the content of all halogens is equated to the equivalent amount of molecular chlorine. There are other features, for example, heating is accompanied by the removal of dissolved gaseous substances. When the precipitate is calcined, the organic matter decomposes.

Salinity of the Black Sea in percent

To characterize the indicator under study as a percentage, one must remember the name of the content of a solute in 100 g of a solution. This is a mass fraction, its percentage value can be found by dividing the mass of the solute by the mass of the solution and multiplying by 100%. Suppose, when evaporating 1000 ml of water, a precipitate was obtained, the mass of which is 17 g. The mass fraction (%) of dissolved substances is 1.7%.

Salinity of the Black Sea in ppm

Experimental determination of the mass of dissolved salts in terms of 1 kg of Black Sea water gives different indicators - from 8 to 22 g. To determine the salinity in ppm, let's take the value mentioned more often than others in the literature on the Black Sea - 17 g. The percentage is one hundredth of , and ppm is one thousandth. Divide 17 g by 1000 g and multiply by 1000 (‰). Thus, we get that the average salinity of the Black Sea is 17‰ (ppm). For comparison, we present the average values ​​for the World Ocean - 35‰. The salinity of the Red Sea is 42 ‰, the Kara Sea is 8 ‰. It turns out that the content of dissolved substances in the Black Sea water is almost 2.5 times lower than in the Red Sea.

A simple experiment to determine salinity

There is a way to find out for yourself what mass of substances is contained in sea or fresh water. The experiment is simple, interesting, but for its implementation you will need heat-resistant dishes, a heater and a chemical balance. It should also be taken into account that the density of the saline solution is higher. Therefore, the mass of 1000 ml of sea water is greater than 1000 g. Hence, without taking into account density, the calculations will be approximate.

To find out what the salinity of the Black Sea is, 100-200 ml of sea water will be required. The experience is as follows:

1. Measure the volume and heat the selected liquid in an evaporating cup to a boil.
2. When all the water has evaporated, a white coating will remain at the bottom of the dish.
3. It is necessary to collect the sediment on a piece of paper and weigh it on the scales.
4. The result obtained is the total mass of all dissolved substances in the sample.

How indicators of salinity and water temperature change

The salinity of the Black Sea water in ancient times, as well as in subsequent centuries, was subject to fluctuations under the influence of climatic, meteorological factors, the water regime in coastal regions and the economic activities of the population. The mineralization of water largely depends on the total runoff of large and small rivers. During dry periods, the channels become shallow, less fresh water enters the sea, and the salt content rises.

The main patterns that have developed to date:

• salinity of the surface layers of the Black Sea is 15-18‰, deep - 22.5-22.6‰;
• plumes of low salinity water spread from the northwest along the coast to the south, from the southeast - along the coast of the Caucasus in a northerly direction;
• under the influence of river runoff, the salinity of the surface layer of the sea in the northwest can decrease to 10‰;
• salinity in the Bosphorus region is increased by the incoming water of the Sea of ​​Marmara;
• the surface temperature in summer is 27-28 ° C near the Black Sea coasts, in the central part of the water area - up to 22 ° C;
• the maximum salinity of surface waters - 18.3‰ - is located in the east of the central part of the water area, south of Crimea.
• the maximum salinity at a depth of 100 m is located south of the Kerch Strait - over 20.6‰;
• from the surface to 150-200 m the temperature decreases and reaches about 9 °C;
• at a depth of 150 m there is practically no oxygen, hydrogen sulfide appears;
• in winter, the surface of the Black Sea is very cold, in the northern part it can drop to minus levels, but more often it is protected at a level of 8-9 ° С.

During freezing, fluctuations in hydrological parameters are observed. Some parts of the water area are partially covered with ice, and continuous ice cover rarely occurs. For example, annalistic information has been preserved about how the Black Sea was covered with such solid ice that merchants on sledges and on foot could reach the Turkish coast.

In general, the conditions of this water area are favorable for the development of flora and fauna. However, scientists have noticed that a decrease in salinity leads to a decrease in the biodiversity of the Black Sea. The fact is that the inhabitants of the World Ocean and its parts do not tolerate salinity below 20‰. For the population of Crimea, desalination of low-salinity sea water in the water area near Sea of ​​Azov is a solution to the problem of drinking and industrial water.

) or PSU units (Practical Salinity Units) of the practical salinity scale (Practical Salinity Scale).

Salinity in ppm is the amount of solids in grams dissolved in 1 kg of sea water, provided that all halogens are replaced by an equivalent amount of chlorine, all carbonates are converted to oxides, organic matter burned.

In 1978, the practical salinity scale (Practical Salinity Scale 1978, PSS-78) was introduced and approved by all international oceanographic organizations, in which salinity measurement is based on electrical conductivity (conductometry), and not on water evaporation. In the 1970s, oceanographic CTD probes became widely used in marine research, and since then, water salinity has been measured mainly by electrical methods. To verify the operation of electrical conductivity cells that are immersed in water, laboratory salt meters are used. In turn, standard sea water is used to check salt meters. Standard sea water recommended international organization IAPSO for calibration of salt meters, produced in the UK by Ocean Scientific International Limited (OSIL) from natural sea water. If all measurement standards are followed, salinity measurement accuracy up to 0.001 PSU can be achieved.

The PSS-78 gives numerical results that are close to measurements of mass fractions, and differences are noticeable either when measurements with an accuracy better than 0.01 PSU are needed, or when the salt composition does not correspond to the standard composition of ocean water.

• Atlantic Ocean - 35.4 ‰ The highest salinity of surface waters in the open ocean is observed in the subtropical zone (up to 37.25 ‰), and the maximum is in the Mediterranean Sea: 39 ‰. In the equatorial zone, where the maximum amount of precipitation is noted, salinity decreases to 34 ‰. A sharp desalination of water occurs in the estuarine areas (for example, at the mouth of La Plata - 18-19 ‰).
• Indian Ocean - 34.8 ‰. The maximum salinity of surface waters is observed in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, where it reaches 40-41 ‰. High salinity (more than 36 ‰) is also observed in the southern tropical zone, especially in the eastern regions, and in the northern hemisphere also in the Arabian Sea. In the neighboring Bay of Bengal, due to the desalination effect of the Ganges runoff from the Brahmaputra and the Irrawaddy, the salinity is reduced to 30-34 ‰. The seasonal difference in salinity is significant only in the Antarctic and equatorial zones. In winter, desalinated waters from the northeastern part of the ocean are carried by the monsoon current, forming a tongue of low salinity along 5°N. sh. In summer, this language disappears.
• Pacific Ocean - 34.5 ‰. The maximum salinity is tropical zones(up to a maximum of 35.5-35.6 ‰), where intensive evaporation is combined with a relatively small amount of precipitation. To the east, under the influence of cold currents, salinity decreases. A large amount of precipitation also lowers salinity, especially at the equator and in the western circulation zones of temperate and subpolar latitudes.
• Northern Arctic ocean - 32 ‰. There are several layers of water masses in the Arctic Ocean. The surface layer has a low temperature (below 0 °C) and low salinity. The latter is explained by the freshening effect of river runoff, melt water and very weak evaporation. Below, a subsurface layer stands out, colder (up to −1.8 °C) and more salty (up to 34.3 ‰), formed by mixing surface waters with the underlying intermediate water layer. The intermediate water layer is Atlantic water coming from the Greenland Sea with a positive temperature and high salinity (more than 37 ‰), spreading to a depth of 750-800 m. winter time also in the Greenland Sea, slowly creeping in a single stream from the strait between Greenland and Svalbard. The temperature of deep waters is about -0.9 ° C, salinity is close to 35 ‰. .

Salinity ocean waters changes depending on geographical latitude, from the open part of the ocean to the coast. In the surface waters of the oceans, it is lowered in the equatorial region, in polar latitudes.

There are about 73 seas on Earth. They are part of the oceans. All objects are divided into different classifications. One of the criteria is the salinity of the water. Depending on this indicator, objects are divided into strongly and weakly salted. The saltiest sea in the world has been established. It is the Red Sea. Several objects have a controversial status. They are not classified as seas, but according to a number of indicators they are salt lakes. This applies to the Dead and Aral Seas. The latter is almost completely dry.

In Russia, even water bodies that are part of the Arctic Ocean are characterized by a high content of sodium chloride. The territory of the Russian Federation is washed by one object in which the salt level exceeds similar indicators in other seas. It is located in the east of the country. This is the Sea of ​​Japan. The salinity of its waters ranges from 33.7% to 34.3%. This value is lower than in the waters of the World Ocean. But in fact it is the most salty sea in Russia. This object is part of Pacific Ocean. It washes the territories of not only Russia, but also Japan, as well as two Koreas.

In the Russian Federation there are lakes in which the concentration of salts is regarded as very high. One of them is Bear. This salt lake is an analogue of the Dead Sea in Russia. It is located on the territory of the Kurgan region. Bear is located in the interfluve of two reservoirs - Tobol and Ishim. The salt concentration in it reaches 360 g/l.

High rates of mineralization are also noted in lakes Elton and Baskunchak. The first is located in the Volgograd region, the second - in the Astrakhan region. In Elton, the average salt concentration is 279 g/l, and in some places 500 g/l. In Baskunchak - 300 g / l.

Top 10 saltiest seas in the world

The mineralization index in a separate object is determined based on the content of sodium chloride in a liter of water. Researchers continue to argue which is the saltiest sea in the world. A number of scientists classify some objects as lakes and do not consider them in a different status.

The list of the most salty seas in the world includes:

• dead;
• Red;
• Mediterranean;
• Aegean;
• Ionic;
• Japanese;
• Barents;
• Laptev;
• Chukchi;
• White.

Half of the objects from the list wash the shores of Russia. The status of first on the list continues to be disputed.

Dead Sea

This object is considered an endorheic lake in Israel, as well as Palestine and Jordan. The average level of minerals in the waters of the facility is 265 ppm. This value allows us to consider it one of the most saline lakes in the world. At the same time, it is not too large in size: the length is 67 km, and the width is 18. The maximum depth is 306 meters. The generally recognized largest salt lake in the world is the Caspian.

Red sea

This object is located between Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It is part of the Indian Ocean. Its area is 450 thousand km2. It has the status of the most salty on the planet.

The object is unique in that no rivers flow into it. There are 41 g of salts per liter of water. Even the open ocean contains only 34 grams of minerals. But the most saline lake in the world (Dead) significantly exceeds the Red Sea in the concentration of sodium chloride. In the first, the salt level is 260-350 ppm, in the second - 41.

mediterranean

Located between the African continent and Europe. Its area is 2.5 million km2. In some places, the depth exceeds 5 km. Included in the top 3 objects of the World Ocean in terms of salinity. Its value fluctuates in the range of 36-39.5%.

The Mediterranean Sea also has the status of the warmest. In the eastern part, it can warm up to 300C. Even in winter period in its northern part, the water temperature does not fall below 80C.

Video: The most salty sea in the world Red Sea

Aegean

It is semi closed. It washes Turkey and Greece. It is considered one of the most salty. The mineralization of its waters is 37-39 ppm. In places, the salt concentration reaches 40%. It is the oldest body of water on the planet. Its age exceeds 20 thousand years.

Ionian

It is part of the Mediterranean, located between the Balkans and the Apennines and the islands of Sicily and Crete. Salinity reaches 38 ppm. This allows it to enter the top 5 objects of the World Ocean in terms of mineralization.

Japanese Sea

It is considered the most salty in Russia. The content of sodium chloride in it reaches 34.3 ppm. The area exceeds 1 thousand km2. Most great importance the depth of the object is 3.7 km. In the north, the reservoir is covered with ice.

The object is part of the Arctic Ocean. They are washed by the coastal zones of Norway and the Russian Federation. The area in the southwest does not freeze due to the influence of the warm North Atlantic Current.

The salinity of the reservoir is uneven. Its highest values ​​are noted in the southwestern part and amount to 35 ppm. Less mineralization is observed in the north - no higher than 33. The salinity of the object changes with the change of seasons. Summer in coastal zone it does not exceed 32 ppm, and in winter it rises to 34.5.

Laptev

Washes the northern part of Siberia. Its area is 672 thousand km2. The highest salinity index of the object is in its northwestern zone. In winter, it reaches 34 ppm. In the south, salinity is much lower - no more than 25. In summer, the concentration of substances in sea water in the north drops to 32 ppm. In the south, it ranges from 5 to 10. High salinity is noted in the depths of the waters. There, its values ​​\u200b\u200breach 33 ppm. The Laptev Sea is ranked among the most severe water bodies in terms of climate.

Chukchi

The object is also part of the Arctic Ocean. It is located between Alaska and Chukotka Peninsula. Salinity of the reservoir winter months ranges from 31 to 33 ppm. In summer, its value decreases to 28-32. Mineralization increases at depth. The reservoir has a harsh climate.

White Sea

The object washes the northern part of the European territory of Russia. Due to the significant inflow of water from the rivers, it has a relatively low salinity. Its value is 26 ppm. In deep waters, mineralization increases to 31.

Features of flora and fauna

The flora and fauna of the most salty seas of the world is diverse. The Dead Sea is almost completely lifeless. No fish, no animals, no plants live in it. Only higher mushrooms are adapted to high salinity.

The Red Sea is unique for its variety of corals. A large number of fish live there. There are also bottlenose dolphins, killer whales, green turtles, sharks and moray eels.

The flora of the Mediterranean Sea is not very diverse. Its waters are dominated different kinds algae. The fauna is represented by crayfish, turtles, rays, octopuses, crabs, squids, jellyfish and lobsters. There are over 540 species of fish.

The flora of the Aegean and Ionian Seas is identical to that of the Mediterranean. The fauna is diverse. The Aegean is rich in sponges, fish and octopuses, the Ionian is especially rich in mackerel, flounder and tuna.

The fauna and flora of the Sea of ​​Japan is heterogeneous. In the north it is less diverse than in the south. Laminaria and sea anemones live there. The waters are rich in sea urchins and stars, scallops, shrimps. In May there are crabs.

Algae and plankton are common in the Barents Sea. There are also about 20 species of commercial fish. Previously introduced king crab and snow crab are found there. Of the mammals, seals, beluga whales, polar bears and seals are common. There are numerous bird markets on the coast.

The flora and fauna of the Laptev Sea do not differ in diversity. 39 types of fish live there. Sardines, flounder and polar cod are common. Mammals include seals, bearded seals, walruses and seals. Several dozen species of birds live here.

In the Chukchi Sea, flora is scarce due to the severity of the climate. Of the animals, polar bears and walruses with seals are common. There are whales. The fish world is rich in polar cod and grayling.

How is the salinity of water measured?

The base unit of this indicator is ppm. It refers to the amount of substances in the solid state, dissolved in a kilogram of sea water. Chemical analysis does not accurately measure the degree of mineralization of a liquid. Sea water is too complex in its composition. Its salinity is determined by the concentration of one of the elements of the composition, by electrical conductivity or refractive index. Based on these methods, the salinity rating of the seas is compiled.

Video: Dead Sea. Israel

Summing up

The Dead Sea is considered the most mineralized sea in the world. A number of researchers rank it among the lakes, which makes it possible to consider the Red Sea as the leader in the rating. In Russia, the most salty sea is the Sea of ​​Japan. The lake with the highest mineralization index is Medvezhye.

Five seas from the top 10 rating are classified as northern water bodies. All of them wash the territory of the Russian Federation. The poorest in animal and flora is the Dead Sea. In other objects, a wide variety of fauna is noted. The richest in flora is the Red Sea.

The seas are part of the water surface of the Earth - the World Ocean, being its main part. The salt content for each of them individually, some exceed the salinity of the oceans. In the ranking of the most salty seas there are also water areas washing the Russian shores.

Interest in the nature of sea water originated as early as the geographers of the 17th century. The hypotheses expressed at that time converged to a general statement about the initial since the origin of the salinity of the ocean, which is due to the dissolution of deposits of crystalline salts at the bottom. The theory was also considered that sea water is constantly replenished with salts through fresh water bodies.

Flowing from the mountains and hills, the rivers wash out the salt from the rocks and carry them to the seas and oceans. Such a theory is called traditional.

Over the following centuries, geographers repeatedly returned to the study of this issue. As a result, today there is modern theory why sea water is salty. It is assumed that its primary form is gas condensate, a consequence of the eruptions of numerous volcanoes.

regurgitated acid rain, falling on earth's surface, called chemical reaction with mineral formations, which resulted in salt solutions. In modern oceanography, it is customary to consider both postulates correct.

How is sea salinity measured?

Salinity, denoted by the symbol S, is measured in ppm "‰" and in the Practical Salinity Unit (PES). The composition of sea water is very complex, in addition to the predominant degree of chlorine and sodium, it contains even more than a dozen chemical elements.

In modern oceanography, salinity is calculated from the composition of one taken component or from electrical conductivity saline solution, in this case sea water.

For one component, salinity is established through the reaction of the interaction of silver ions and chlorine by repeated comparison. After measuring chlorine, calculations are made according to the empirical formula (determined from experimental data): S "‰" \u003d 1.8065 * chlorine content "‰".

In 1978, the International Union of Oceanographic Experts approved the Practical Salinity Scale - ShPS-78 (PSS-78). For its development, the established standard of sea water was used - a solution of potassium chloride at a certain temperature (15 ° C) and a pressure of 1 atmosphere.

The studied samples of natural sea water are compared in electrical conductivity with the standard, from the resulting ratio, the salinity is calculated according to the developed empirical formula. The average salt level in the oceans and seas is from 3.47% (from 3.4 to 3.6), which is approximately 34-36 g / l of sea water.

Top 10 saltiest seas in the world

All seas, as separate parts, differ from the World Ocean and from each other by the climatic regime, flora, fauna and composition of sea water. According to the degree of salt content, a certain rating of the most salty seas on Earth has been built.

The most salty sea (Russia has its own top salinity of the seas) in the world is the Red Sea, which is the inner part of the Indian Ocean. And the first place in terms of low salinity is occupied by the Baltic Sea. The ten most salty seas are presented below.

White Sea

The cold North Sea, called the White Sea for being covered with ice and snow for most of the year, belongs to the low-salinity seas, it completes the top ten most saline seas in the world. It is located in the western part of Russia, on its northern outskirts. The indicator of its salinity in the upper waters (up to 100 m depth) is lower than the oceanic one - only 26 ‰, in depth it reaches 31 ‰.

The White Sea is part of the seas of the Arctic Ocean, the coastline has a winding outline. It has a small area of ​​​​90.1 thousand km², the depth ranges from 67 m (average) to 343 m.

The White Sea cuts into the continent, continuing the Barents Sea. The reduced salinity of the upper layer of the White Sea basin is explained by the large inflow of fresh water from large rivers flowing in, shallower tributaries and very small streams.

The fauna of the White Sea corresponds to the subpolar climate (boreal), but due to low salinity it is not so numerous. The northern commercial fish species live in the surface water layers. In the lower part of the sea, where the water is saltier and more consistently cold, Arctic life forms predominate.

Underwater vegetation - more than 190 species of various algae. Among them are popular brown and red species. Get to White Sea It is possible by rail from Moscow to Arkhangelsk. Travel time is approximately 20 hours, departure from the Yaroslavl railway station. The flight on this route by air will take about 1.5 hours.

Chukchi Sea

The marginal sea of ​​the Arctic Ocean, the easternmost in Russia, the salinity of which, at its maximum value, is close to the average oceanic level. Salinity fluctuations from 24 to 33 ‰ are due to seasonal changes and depth - in winter and in the bottom layer, mineralization increases.

The melting of ice in spring and summer, the influx of fresh water lowers the salt content in the upper water column.

The water area of ​​the Chukchi Sea washes the shores of Chukotka and borders on the East Siberian Sea from the western side. From the east, it enters the shelves of Alaska and adjoins the Beaufort Sea. In the southern part it is separated from the Pacific Ocean by the Bering Strait. The north side faces the ocean. The sea is shallow, depth parameters: average - 45 m, maximum - 1256 m.

The coastline is a little winding, along the coast there are mountain ranges. The total area of ​​the Chukchi Sea is about 590 km². The cold climate, lack of sunlight and low water temperatures affect the nature of the Chukchi Basin, therefore, the flora and fauna are predominantly arctic species and individuals.

The upper layers of the sea are inhabited by plant plankton, in the lower water column - algae, common for northern waters. The depths abound with fish - saffron cod, polar cod, char. A variety of North Sea mollusks and echinoderms, jellyfish, and in the Bering Strait area and Pacific species of underwater inhabitants.

Of the mammals on protected islands many polar bears, walrus rookeries, seals. Numerous waterfowl nest along the banks in summer. A population of whales lives in the Chukchi waters.

You can get to the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug only by plane; there are flights to Anadyr and Pevek. From Moscow to the "capital" of Chukotka - Anadyr, the flight will last approximately 8 hours, to the northernmost city of Russia - Pevek, the flight will take a little longer.

Laptev sea

Another marginal sea of ​​the Arctic Ocean, whose water area is covered with ice for most of the year. The area of ​​​​this harsh sea is 672,000 km², the maximum depth on the north side, passing into the ocean, reaches 3385 m. The Laptev Sea is located on Russian territory.

It is bounded on the south by the northern Siberian coast, on the west by the Taimyr Peninsula and the Severnaya Zemlya Islands, and on the east by the New Siberian Islands. The salinity of the Laptev Sea is from 15 to 28 ‰, it belongs to low-salt seas.

The lowest salt content in the surface layers and in the mouths of the rivers, the deeper, the higher the salinity of sea water. From the side of the coast with a length of 1300 km, most of the sea is a shelf with an average depth of 50 meters. The coastline is replete with coves and bays. Abundant rivers flowing into the sea: Lena, Khatanga. The largest port, Tiksi, is located east of the mouth of the Lena.

Due to the harsh climate, vegetation and animal world the regions are not very rich. Among the underwater inhabitants, diatoms, some species of shelf algae and planktonic organisms, a small number of invertebrates, mollusks and starfish predominate. Among the fish there are also small sea fish (capelin, smelt, navaga) and freshwater fish entering from the rivers.

Beluga whales and whales live far from the coast. The islands are inhabited by polar bears, walruses and seals. The only way to travel to the Laptev Sea, as well as to other seas of the Arctic Ocean, is by plane. From Moscow to Tiksi airport, the flight time depends on the number of transfers along the route: the minimum is 13 hours, the maximum is 31 hours.

Barencevo sea

Washing the Russian and Norwegian coasts, the Barents Sea is one of the saltiest seas. Its salinity index ranges from 30 to 35 ‰. A large amount of fresh water is brought by the rivers Indiga and Pechora.

The sea has an average depth of more than 200 m, and a maximum depth of 600 m. It is located on a huge continental shoal with an area of ​​​​about 1,500 thousand km², the dividing line runs along the northern European coast, the polar archipelagos of Svalbard and Franz Josef Land, and along the western coast of Novaya Zemlya.

The flora and fauna of the Barents Sea are similar to other marginal seas of the Arctic Ocean, but more diverse and numerous. In addition to arctic algae and bottom dwellers, boreal species are common. In the second half of the 20th century, the king crab was artificially introduced into the habitat of the Barents Sea.

One of the largest Russian ports, Murmansk, is located in the Barents Sea. No less strategically important are other ports - Naryan-Mar and the polar Varandey. By air, a direct flight to Murmansk from Moscow will take approximately 2 hours and 40 minutes, with a transfer in St. Petersburg - 4-5 hours longer.

Unlike other northern seas, the Barents Sea can be reached by rail: from Moscow, St. Petersburg and other Russian cities to Murmansk. Naryan-Mar can only be reached by plane.

Japanese Sea

The most salty sea in Russia is the Sea of ​​Japan. It is among the first in the world in terms of salt saturation. Its maximum content in water is about 35 ‰. The marginal sea of ​​the Pacific Ocean occupies an area of ​​1062 thousand km² between Asia, the Korean Peninsula, Sakhalin and the Japanese Islands. The greatest measured depth is 3742 m, the average depth is about 1600 m.

The Eastern Sea of ​​Russia is a collection of sea basins and straits between numerous islands. The underwater world of the Sea of ​​Japan is represented by a rich mixture of southern and northern plant and animal species.

Bright representatives of the depths that amaze the imagination:

• various sea squirts;
• similar to exotic flowers of anemones;
• trepangs and shrimps;
• sea ​​urchins and starfish;
• jellyfish;
• mussels and oysters.

Large-sized squids and octopuses, and king crab live here. In the waters of the Sea of ​​Japan, you can observe several species of whales, dolphins and seals. Those wishing to get to the Sea of ​​Japan can get to Vladivostok. The flight from Moscow will take on average about 10 hours. The train will cover the way from Moscow to Vladivostok in almost 7 days.

ionian sea

The Ionian Sea washes the mountainous shores of the Balkan Peninsula, southern part Apennine Peninsula, Sicily and the western coast of Crete. It is part of the Mediterranean Sea, from the neighboring Adriatic Sea, separated by a strait.

According to the salinity of sea water, the Ionian Sea is one of the five most saline seas. The salt content of the Ionian Sea is 38‰. In addition, it is the deepest in the Mediterranean Sea, the maximum depth is 5121 m. The area of ​​\u200b\u200bthe water area is 169,000 km², the water is clean, transparent, casts blue.

The diversity of flora and fauna in the Ionian Sea is provided by ecology and high temperature water – min t° never falls below 14°C in winter. Of the large individuals, bottlenose dolphins, tuna, and sharks live in the waters. Plants are dominated by algae of different species. Cephalopods breed well in the Ionian Sea: there is a wide variety of them, and edible mollusks.

The resorts of the Ionian coast are located in the Italian region of Calabria, the island of Sicily, Albania, on the islands of Crete (western part) and Corfu, where you can only fly from Russia. Flights to the Mediterranean are organized from Moscow and St. Petersburg.

Aegean Sea

The Aegean Sea washes the coast of Turkey and Greece, is another component of the Mediterranean. Half of its outskirts are fenced by land: on the east side - by Turkey, from the west - by the Balkan coast, in the north - by the island of Lemnos and the Halkidiki peninsula. Access to the Mediterranean basin is blocked by many different-sized islands.

In total, there are almost 2,000 islands in the Aegean Sea. In the northeast is the Dardanelles Strait, which separates it from the Sea of ​​Marmara.

The salinity of the ancient water area is 38.5 ‰, which is higher than the average oceanic level. The total area is 179,000 km², the maximum depth is up to 2500 m, the calculated average depth is 1000 m. The bottom of the Aegean Sea is very picturesque, covered with white sand, on which bright emerald grass grows. The water is clear, with an azure hue.

The relief is bizarre with numerous naturally created grottoes. The main species of representatives of flora and fauna are similar to the Ionian Sea, but not so numerous. A large number of sponges, octopuses, cuttlefish, and small cat sharks live in the Aegean Sea. There are peculiar inhabitants of the depths: clown fish, parrot fish, shellfish - a sea saucer.

Getting from Russia to the resorts of Turkey on the Aegean coast will not be a problem. Travel agencies offer tours with flights for every taste from different cities. You can easily fly to Greek Athens from St. Petersburg and Moscow.

Mediterranean Sea

Being on the list of the largest, richest seas in the world, the Mediterranean Sea is classified as Atlantic Ocean. Its water area covers 2,500,000 km² and serves as a division for Europe, Africa and Asia. The shores are so curved and cut into the water area that the protruding parts of the land delimit it into several marginal seas.

Due to its huge size and multi-level bottom topography, the depth of the Mediterranean Sea ranges from a minimum average of 242 m to a maximum depth of 5121 m.

In the ranking of the most salty seas, the Mediterranean Sea is in 3rd place. Its salinity level is set at 39.5 ‰. From the Atlantic side, sea water has a lower salinity due to the mixing of waters through the Strait of Gibraltar. The largest river flowing into the Mediterranean basin from the south is the Nile.

The flora and fauna are characterized by a variety of species with a relatively small number of inhabitants. The poverty of plankton limits the existence of larger living creatures due to lack of food. Among the animal inhabitants there are white-bellied seals, sea turtles, rays. A variety of fish individuals - 550 species.

An important place is occupied by commercial, edible mollusks and invertebrate representatives. It is easier and faster to get to all the seas of the Mediterranean basin from Russia by plane. But still, it is possible to travel by train from Moscow with 2 transfers via Minsk or Warsaw. Travel time will take 4-5 days.

Red sea

The Red Sea takes 2nd place in the top 10 in terms of salinity, taking into account the Dead Sea. Its indicator of salt content in sea water is 40-40.5 ‰, fluctuations are from 38 to 42 ‰. Such elevated level salinity is explained by the absence of flowing freshwater rivers. It shares the eastern side of the African continent with Saudi Arabia, washes the coasts of Egypt, Jordan, Sudan and Israel.

The most salty sea in which you cannot drown (as in the Russian Sea of ​​​​Japan) covers an area of ​​​​438,000 km². Its maximum depth reaches more than 2000 m. The bottom relief is not uniform, there are many sharp drops. This sea is also the warmest in the world, even in winter the water temperature does not drop below +20°C.

The Red Sea is amazing in that with such high salinity it has a huge number of species of underwater inhabitants. Ichthyologists described 1.5 thousand fish and invertebrates, about 300 species of various corals. Mysteries of the Red Sea today puzzle scientists around the world, all the depths are not fully understood.

The Red Sea attracts a lot of tourists. Airports to which there are direct flights from Russia are located in Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Domestic airlines or buses will deliver directly to the coast.

Dead Sea

The Dead Sea is only called the sea, in reality it is a drainless lake. In terms of salinity - 270 ‰, it ranks 1st in the world and exceeds the average oceanic one by 8.6 times. In addition to salts, it has a unique amount of minerals in the composition of water, which has a beneficial healing effect on health.

Located between Palestine, Jordan and Israel. There is a tributary - the Jordan River. The dimensions of the Dead Sea are 67 km long and 18 km wide. The maximum depth of the reservoir is 377 m, it is considered the deepest lake in the world.

The highest concentration of salinity does not allow any life to develop in the Dead Sea. At the same time, the smallest microorganisms were still found in the water of the lake.

Masses of people who want to improve their health rush to the Dead Sea. There is a bus service from Tel Aviv or Jerusalem to the lake. Also, one-day excursions to the Dead Sea are organized from any Israeli city.

Top 5 saltiest seas in Russia

Curious details about him underwater world:

• some individuals migrate from the north to southern waters in cold weather;
• small jellyfish live in underwater thickets, contact with which causes paralysis, and a second bite can be fatal;
• 12 species of sharks are found in the depths.

The most salty sea in Russia after Japan is the Barents Sea. Its salinity is determined at 32-35 ‰.

Facts for fans of interesting things:

• the entire water area of ​​the Barents Sea is located beyond the Arctic Circle;
• in April, 75% of its area is occupied by floating icebergs;
• in 4 years all the waters of the sea are renewed.

The Bering Sea with a salinity level of 28-33.5% is in 3rd place in Russia.

Interesting details about him:

• considered the largest sea in Russia;
• the northern margins of its water area are already covered with ice at the very beginning of autumn, and thaw only at the end of May, beginning of June;
• The Bering Sea is stretched by 3 climatic zones- arctic, subarctic and temperate.

The list continues with the Sea of ​​Okhotsk with a salinity of 25-33 ‰, which occupies the 4th place.

Its attractions:

• the glow of water and ice, caused by phosphorescent plankton living in it, was recorded;
• almost 120 rivers flow into this sea;
• fishing in the waters of the Sea of ​​Okhotsk is the absolute right of Russia.

Curious facts:

• the only sea that washes only the borders of Russia;
• in former times, this sea was called - Studenoe;
• the Vikings called the White Sea - the Bay of Serpents, because of the curvature of the coastline.

Top 5 Russian seas in descending order in the table:

The most salty lakes in Russia where you can not drown

Russian lakes with a high salt content are not inferior to the Dead Sea in terms of therapeutic effects on the human body. Many of them have a higher mineral content. Their salinity is so high that it is impossible to drown in them.

The most salty of them:

1. Lake Baskunchak is located in the Astrakhan region. The area of ​​the reservoir is 106 km², the depth reaches 3 m. Saturation with sodium salts (300 g / l) is supplemented with mineral mud used in the treatment various diseases.
2. Lake Collapse- a reservoir formed on the site of a salt quarry by filling with flood waters. Deep lake, in some places up to 18-22 m, small size– 0.068 km², located in Sol-Iletsk Orenburg region. The high content of salt (200 g/l) and minerals favors the treatment of many diseases.
3. Lake Elton, located near the Kazakh border, in the Volgograd region, has a second name - Golden Lake. In terms of salt saturation, it is ahead of the Dead Sea - up to 400 g / l. Filled with a mixture of salt solution with hydrogen sulfide mud. The area of ​​the lake is 152 km² with a shallow depth of only 1.5 m. Not far from it is the sanatorium of the same name.

Article formatting: Lozinsky Oleg

Video about the most salty seas of Russia

Features of the most salty sea in Russia - the Sea of ​​Japan: