Geographical position.The Atlantic Ocean stretches from north to south for 16 thousand km from subarctic to antarctic latitudes. The ocean is wide in the northern and southern parts, narrowing in equatorial latitudes to 2900 km. In the north it communicates with the Arctic Ocean, and in the south it is widely connected with the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is bounded by the shores of North and South America - in the west, Europe and Africa - in the east and Antarctica - in the south.
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world. The coastline of the ocean in the northern hemisphere is heavily dissected by numerous peninsulas and bays. There are many islands, inland and marginal seas near the continents. The Atlantic consists of 13 seas, which occupy 11% of its area.
Bottom relief. Through the entire ocean (approximately at an equal distance from the coasts of the continents) passes Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The relative height of the ridge is about 2 km. Transverse faults divide it into separate segments. In the axial part of the ridge there is a giant rift valley 6 to 30 km wide and up to 2 km deep. Both underwater active volcanoes and volcanoes of Iceland and the Azores are confined to the rift and faults of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. On both sides of the ridge there are basins with a relatively flat bottom, separated by elevated uplifts. The shelf area in the Atlantic Ocean is larger than in the Pacific.
Mineral resources. Oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the shelf of the North Sea, in the Gulf of Mexico, Guinea and Biscay. Phosphorite deposits have been discovered in the area of deep water rise off the coast of North Africa in tropical latitudes. Placer deposits of tin off the coast of Great Britain and Florida, as well as diamond deposits off the coast of South-West Africa, have been found on the shelf in the sediments of ancient and modern rivers. Ferromanganese nodules have been found in bottom basins off the coasts of Florida and Newfoundland.
Climate.The Atlantic Ocean is located in all climatic zones of the Earth. The main part of the ocean area is between 40°N. and 42° S - is located in subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial climatic zones. There are high positive air temperatures all year round. The most severe climate is in the subantarctic and antarctic latitudes, and to a lesser extent in the subpolar, northern latitudes.
currents.In the Atlantic, as in the Pacific Ocean, two rings of surface currents are formed.. In the northern hemisphere, the North Equatorial Current, the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic and Canary Currents form the movement of waters in a clockwise direction. In the southern hemisphere, the South Trade Winds, the Brazilian, the West Winds and the Benguela move the waters counterclockwise. Due to the significant length of the Atlantic Ocean from north to south, meridional water flows are more developed in it than latitudinal ones.
Water properties. The zonality of water masses in the ocean is complicated by the influence of land and sea currents. This is manifested primarily in the temperature distribution of surface waters. In many areas of the ocean, the isotherms near the coast deviate sharply from the latitudinal direction.
The northern half of the ocean is warmer than the southern, the temperature difference reaches 6°C. The average surface water temperature (16.5°C) is slightly lower than in the Pacific Ocean. The cooling effect is exerted by the waters and ices of the Arctic and Antarctic. Salinity of surface waters in the Atlantic Ocean is high. One of the reasons for increased salinity is that a significant part of the moisture evaporating from the water area does not return to the ocean again, but is transferred to neighboring continents (due to the relative narrowness of the ocean).
Many large rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean and its seas: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile, Danube, La Plata, etc. They carry huge masses of fresh water, suspended material and pollutants into the ocean. In desalinated bays and seas of subpolar and temperate latitudes, ice forms near the western shores of the ocean in winter. Numerous icebergs and floating sea ice hinder navigation in the North Atlantic Ocean.
organic world. The Atlantic Ocean is poorer in species in the composition of flora and fauna than the Pacific. One of the reasons for this is its relative geological youth and a noticeable cooling in the Quaternary period during the glaciation of the northern hemisphere. However, in quantitative terms, the ocean is rich in organisms - it is the most productive per unit area.. This is primarily due to the wide development of shelves and shallow banks, which are inhabited by many demersal and bottom fish (cod, flounder, perch, etc.). The biological resources of the Atlantic Ocean are depleted in many areas. The share of the ocean in world fisheries has declined significantly in recent years.
natural complexes.In the Atlantic Ocean, all zonal complexes are distinguished - natural belts, except for the north polar. Water northern subpolar belt rich in life. It is especially developed on the shelves off the coasts of Iceland, Greenland and the Labrador Peninsula. Temperate zone characterized by intense interaction of cold and warm waters, its waters are the most productive areas of the Atlantic. Vast expanses of warm waters subtropical, two tropical and equatorial belts less productive than the waters of the northern temperate zone.
In the northern subtropical zone stands out a special natural aquatic complex of the Sargasso Sea. It is characterized by high water salinity (up to 37.5 ppm) and low bioproductivity. In clear water, pure blue colors grow brown algae - sargasso, which gave the name of the water area.
In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, as in the north, natural complexes are rich in life in areas where waters with different temperatures and water densities mix. In the subantarctic and antarctic belts the manifestation of seasonal and permanent ice phenomena, which are reflected in the composition of the fauna (krill, cetaceans, notothenia fish), is characteristic.
Economic use. All types of human economic activity in marine areas are represented in the Atlantic Ocean. Among them, maritime transport is of the greatest importance, then - underwater oil and gas production, only then - the catch and use of biological resources.
More than 70 coastal countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people are located on the shores of the Atlantic. Many transoceanic routes pass through the ocean with large volumes of freight and passenger traffic. On the coasts of the ocean and its seas, the most significant ports of the world in terms of cargo turnover are located.
The already explored mineral resources of the ocean are significant (examples are given above). However, oil and gas fields are currently being intensively developed on the shelf of the North and Caribbean Seas, in the Bay of Biscay. Many countries that previously did not have significant reserves of these types of mineral raw materials are now experiencing an economic upswing due to their extraction (England, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.).
biological resources oceans have long been intensively used. However, due to the overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic has yielded to the Pacific Ocean in terms of fish and seafood.
Intensive human economic activity in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, a decrease in the stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts. In particular, recreational conditions on the ocean coast are deteriorating. In order to prevent further and reduce the existing pollution of the natural environment of the Atlantic Ocean, scientific recommendations are being developed and international agreements are being concluded on the rational use of ocean resources.
Human economic activity has led to severe pollution of some areas of the Pacific Ocean. This was especially evident off the coast of Japan and North America. The stocks of whales, a number of valuable species of fish and other animals have been depleted. Some of them have lost their former commercial value.
§ 8. Atlantic Ocean
Geographical position. The Atlantic Ocean stretches from north to south for 16 thousand km from subarctic to antarctic latitudes. The ocean is wide in the northern and southern parts, narrowing in equatorial latitudes to 2900 km. In the north it communicates with the Arctic Ocean, and in the south it is widely connected with the Pacific and Indian Oceans. It is bounded by the shores of North and South America - in the west, Europe and Africa - in the east and Antarctica - in the south.
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean in the world. The coastline of the ocean in the northern hemisphere is heavily dissected by numerous peninsulas and bays. There are many islands, inland and marginal seas near the continents. The Atlantic consists of 13 seas, which occupy 11% of its area.
Bottom relief. Through the entire ocean (approximately at an equal distance from the coasts of the continents) passes Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The relative height of the ridge is about 2 km. Transverse faults divide it into separate segments. In the axial part of the ridge there is a giant rift valley 6 to 30 km wide and up to 2 km deep. Both underwater active volcanoes and volcanoes of Iceland and the Azores are confined to the rift and faults of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. On both sides of the ridge there are basins with a relatively flat bottom, separated by elevated uplifts. The shelf area in the Atlantic Ocean is larger than in the Pacific.
Mineral resources. Oil and gas reserves have been discovered on the shelf of the North Sea, in the Gulf of Mexico, Guinea and Biscay. Phosphorite deposits have been discovered in the area of deep water rise off the coast of North Africa in tropical latitudes. Placer deposits of tin off the coast of Great Britain and Florida, as well as diamond deposits off the coast of South-West Africa, have been found on the shelf in the sediments of ancient and modern rivers. Ferromanganese nodules have been found in bottom basins off the coasts of Florida and Newfoundland.
Climate. The Atlantic Ocean is located in all climatic zones of the Earth. The main part of the ocean area is between 40°N. and 42° S - is located in subtropical, tropical, subequatorial and equatorial climatic zones. There are high positive air temperatures all year round. The most severe climate is in the subantarctic and antarctic latitudes, and to a lesser extent in the subpolar, northern latitudes.
currents. In the Atlantic, as in the Pacific Ocean, two rings of surface currents are formed.. In the northern hemisphere, the North Equatorial Current, the Gulf Stream, the North Atlantic and Canary Currents form the movement of waters in a clockwise direction. In the southern hemisphere, the South Trade Winds, the Brazilian, the West Winds and the Benguela move the waters counterclockwise. Due to the significant length of the Atlantic Ocean from north to south, meridional water flows are more developed in it than latitudinal ones.
Water properties. The zonality of water masses in the ocean is complicated by the influence of land and sea currents. This is manifested primarily in the temperature distribution of surface waters. In many areas of the ocean, the isotherms near the coast deviate sharply from the latitudinal direction.
The northern half of the ocean is warmer than the southern, the temperature difference reaches 6°C. The average surface water temperature (16.5°C) is slightly lower than in the Pacific Ocean. The cooling effect is exerted by the waters and ices of the Arctic and Antarctic. Salinity of surface waters in the Atlantic Ocean is high. One of the reasons for increased salinity is that a significant part of the moisture evaporating from the water area does not return to the ocean again, but is transferred to neighboring continents (due to the relative narrowness of the ocean).
Many large rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean and its seas: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile, Danube, La Plata, etc. They carry huge masses of fresh water, suspended material and pollutants into the ocean. In desalinated bays and seas of subpolar and temperate latitudes, ice forms near the western shores of the ocean in winter. Numerous icebergs and floating sea ice hinder navigation in the North Atlantic Ocean.
organic world . The Atlantic Ocean is poorer in species in the composition of flora and fauna than the Pacific. One of the reasons for this is its relative geological youth and a noticeable cooling in the Quaternary period during the glaciation of the northern hemisphere. However, in quantitative terms, the ocean is rich in organisms - it is the most productive per unit area.. This is primarily due to the wide development of shelves and shallow banks, which are inhabited by many demersal and bottom fish (cod, flounder, perch, etc.). The biological resources of the Atlantic Ocean are depleted in many areas. The share of the ocean in world fisheries has declined significantly in recent years.
natural complexes. In the Atlantic Ocean, all zonal complexes are distinguished - natural belts, except for the north polar. Water northern subpolar belt rich in life. It is especially developed on the shelves off the coasts of Iceland, Greenland and the Labrador Peninsula. Temperate zone characterized by intense interaction of cold and warm waters, its waters are the most productive areas of the Atlantic. Vast expanses of warm waters subtropical, two tropical and equatorial belts less productive than the waters of the northern temperate zone.
In the northern subtropical zone stands out a special natural aquatic complex of the Sargasso Sea. It is characterized by high water salinity (up to 37.5 ppm) and low bioproductivity. In clear water, pure blue colors grow brown algae - sargasso, which gave the name of the water area.
In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, as in the north, natural complexes are rich in life in areas where waters with different temperatures and water densities mix. In the subantarctic and antarctic belts the manifestation of seasonal and permanent ice phenomena, which are reflected in the composition of the fauna (krill, cetaceans, notothenia fish), is characteristic.
Economic use. All types of human economic activity in marine areas are represented in the Atlantic Ocean. Among them, maritime transport is of the greatest importance, then - underwater oil and gas production, only then - the catch and use of biological resources.
More than 70 coastal countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people are located on the shores of the Atlantic. Many transoceanic routes pass through the ocean with large volumes of freight and passenger traffic. On the coasts of the ocean and its seas, the most significant ports of the world in terms of cargo turnover are located.
Already explored mineral resources of the ocean are significant (examples are given above). However, oil and gas fields are currently being intensively developed on the shelf of the North and Caribbean Seas, in the Bay of Biscay. Many countries that previously did not have significant reserves of these types of mineral raw materials are now experiencing an economic upswing due to their extraction (England, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.).
biological resources oceans have long been intensively used. However, due to the overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic has yielded to the Pacific Ocean in terms of fish and seafood.
Intensive human economic activity in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, a decrease in the stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts. In particular, recreational conditions on the ocean coast are deteriorating. In order to prevent further and reduce the existing pollution of the natural environment of the Atlantic Ocean, scientific recommendations are being developed and international agreements are being concluded on the rational use of ocean resources.
§ 9. Indian Ocean
Geographical position. The Indian Ocean is located entirely in the Eastern Hemisphere between Africa - in the west, Eurasia - in the north, the Sunda Islands and Australia - in the east, Antarctica - in the south. The Indian Ocean in the southwest communicates widely with the Atlantic Ocean, and in the southeast with the Pacific. The coastline is poorly dissected. There are eight seas in the ocean, there are large bays. There are relatively few islands. The largest of them are concentrated near the coasts of the continents.
Bottom relief. As in other oceans, the bottom topography in the Indian Ocean is complex and varied. Among the uplifts at the bottom of the ocean stands out mid-ocean ridge system diverging to the northwest and southeast. The ridges are characterized by rifts and transverse faults, seismicity and underwater volcanism. Between the ridges lie numerous deep sea basins. The shelf generally has a small width. But it is significant off the coast of Asia.
Mineral resources. There are significant oil and gas deposits in the Persian Gulf, off the coast of Western India and off the coast of Australia. Large reserves of ferromanganese nodules have been found at the bottom of many basins. Sedimentary rock deposits on the shelf contain tin ores, phosphorites, and gold.
Climate. The main part of the Indian Ocean lies in the equatorial, subequatorial and tropical zones., only the southern part covers high latitudes, up to the subantarctic. The main feature of the ocean's climate is the seasonal monsoon winds in its northern part., which is heavily influenced by land. Therefore, in the northern part of the ocean there are two seasons of the year - a warm, quiet, sunny winter and a hot, cloudy, rainy, stormy summer. South of 10°S dominated by the southeast trade wind. To the south, in temperate latitudes, a strong and steady westerly wind blows. The amount of precipitation is significant in the equatorial zone - up to 3000 mm per year. There is very little precipitation off the coast of Arabia, in the Red Sea and the Persian Gulf.
currents. In the northern part of the ocean, the formation of currents is influenced by the change of monsoons, which rebuilds the system of currents according to the seasons of the year: summer monsoon - in the direction from west to east, winter - from east to west. In the southern part of the ocean, the most significant are the South Equatorial Current and the Western Wind Current.
Water properties. The average surface water temperature is +17°C. The slightly lower average temperature is explained by the strong cooling effect of the Antarctic waters. The northern part of the ocean warms up well, is deprived of the influx of cold waters and is therefore the warmest. In summer, the water temperature in the Persian Gulf rises to +34°C. In the southern hemisphere, the temperature of the waters gradually decreases with increasing latitude. The salinity of surface waters in many areas is higher than average, and in the Red Sea it is especially high (up to 42 ppm).
organic world. It has a lot in common with the Pacific Ocean. The species composition of fish is rich and varied. Sardinella, anchovy, mackerel, tuna, dolphin, sharks, flying fish live in the northern part of the Indian Ocean. In southern waters - notothenia and white-blooded fish; there are cetaceans and pinnipeds. The organic world of the shelf and coral reefs is especially rich. Thickets of algae border the coast of Australia, South Africa, islands. There are large commercial accumulations of crustaceans (lobsters, shrimps, krill, etc.). In general, the biological resources of the Indian Ocean are still poorly studied and underutilized.
natural complexes. The northern part of the ocean lies in tropical zone. Under the influence of the surrounding land and monsoon circulation, several aquatic complexes are formed in this belt, differing in the properties of water masses. Especially sharp differences are noted in the salinity of the waters.
In the equatorial zone The temperature of surface waters hardly changes with the seasons of the year. Above the numerous uplifts of the bottom and near the coral islands in this belt, a lot of plankton develops, and bioproductivity increases. Tunas live in such waters.
Zonal complexes of the southern hemisphere in general terms, they are similar in natural conditions to similar belts of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans.
Economic use. The biological resources of the Indian Ocean have been used by the inhabitants of the coasts since time immemorial. And until now, handicrafts of fish and other seafood retain an important role in the economy of many countries. However, the natural resources of the ocean are used to a lesser extent than in other oceans. Biological productivity of the ocean as a whole is low, it increases only on the shelf and the continental slope.
Chemical resources ocean waters are still poorly used. On a large scale, desalination of salt water is being carried out in the countries of the Middle East, where there is an acute shortage of fresh water.
Among mineral resources oil and gas deposits are identified. In terms of their reserves and production, the Indian Ocean ranks first in the World Ocean. Coastal-marine placers contain heavy minerals and metals.
Important transport routes pass through the Indian Ocean. In the development of shipping, this ocean is inferior to the Atlantic and Pacific, but in terms of oil transportation it surpasses them. The Persian Gulf is the main oil export region of the world, from here a large cargo flow of oil and oil products begins. Therefore, systematic monitoring of the state of the aquatic environment and its protection from oil pollution are necessary in this region.
§ 10. Arctic Ocean
Geographical position. The ocean is located in the center of the Arctic, surrounded by land on almost all sides, which determines the features of its nature - climate, hydrological conditions, ice conditions. The Arctic Ocean is the smallest of the Earth's oceans.
The boundaries of the ocean run from the Scandinavian Peninsula (62 ° N), to the Shetland and Faroe Islands, along the Danish and Davis Straits, as well as the Bering Straits, through which its waters communicate with the waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
The coastline is heavily indented. There are nine seas in the ocean, which account for half of the entire ocean area. The largest sea is Norwegian, the smallest is White. Many island archipelagos and single islands.
Bottom relief. About half of the area of the ocean floor is occupied by the shelf. The shelf strip off the coast of Eurasia is especially wide, where it is measured in many hundreds of kilometers. The ocean bed consists of several basins separated by underwater ridges. The main element of the bottom topography is the Gakkel Ridge. It is a continuation of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Lomonosov, Mendeleev, and Chukchi uplifts are also distinguished.
Mineral resources. The bottom sediments of the shelf zone are formed by sediments from rivers. Placer deposits of heavy metals (tin, etc.) were found in them. In addition, more than 50 oil and gas fields have been discovered on the ocean shelf; some of them are already under development.
Climate. Climate features are determined by the polar position of the ocean. Arctic air masses form and dominate over its water area throughout the year.. The average air temperature in winter drops to -40°С, in summer it is close to 0°. During the polar day, ice reflects a significant part of solar radiation, increasing the severity of the climate. Precipitation over the ocean falls from 100 to 200 mm per year.
currents. A powerful stream of warm water enters the Arctic Ocean from the North Atlantic - branches of the North Atlantic Current. As we move east and north, the relatively more saline and denser waters of the Atlantic submerge under the less saline, though cold, waters of the Arctic Ocean. From the Chukchi and East Siberian seas, the waters in the ocean move in the opposite direction - from east to west. This is how it is formed Transarctic Current, which carries polar waters and ice into the Atlantic, mainly through the Denmark Strait.
Water properties. Ice . Preservation of the existing hydrological regime and life in the Arctic Ocean is possible only under the condition of water and heat exchange with neighboring oceans. The heat reserves in the water masses of the ocean are constantly maintained due to the influx of warm waters from the Atlantic Ocean. In addition, a large river flow from the territory of Eurasia and North America (Ob, Yenisei, Lena, Mackenzie, etc.) increases the temperature and reduces the salinity of water masses. The temperature of surface waters is low for most of the year, close to the freezing point of water at a given salinity (from -1 to -2°C). Only in subarctic latitudes in summer it rises to +5...+8°С.
The year-round existence of ice is a characteristic feature of the nature of the ocean. Multi-year ice predominates pack, with a thickness of 2-4 m or more. Every year more ice is formed during the winter than it melts in the summer. Excess ice is carried mainly into the Atlantic Ocean. In summer, the seas of the ocean near the coasts of the continents are largely freed from ice.
organic world . The basis of biomass in the ocean is formed by cold-hardy diatoms. They live both in water and on ice. Zoo- and phytoplankton develop in the near-Atlantic sector of the ocean and in coastal waters near the mouths of rivers; characterized by algae growing at the bottom. Commercial fish (cod, haddock, navaga, halibut, etc.) live on the territory of the ocean and in the seas; seals, walruses, beluga whales, and polar bears are common among mammals.
natural complexes. The main part of the ocean area is located within the northern - Arctic natural belt of the World Ocean. However, the seas of the ocean lie in the northern subpolar zone, and the Norwegian Sea belongs to the temperate zone.
north polar belt- this is the central part of the ocean, which is the deepest and most severe in terms of climatic and ice conditions. The boundary of this belt coincides approximately with the edge of the shelf. Throughout the year, most of the water area is covered with drifting ice. Characteristic heaps of ice - hummocks, up to 10-12 m high, arising under the influence of currents, winds and tides. Seals, walruses, polar bears live only on the outskirts of the belt.
subarctic belt includes marginal and inland seas adjacent to land. Their nature is less severe. In summer, the waters off the coast are free of ice, strongly desalinated by river waters. In water areas where warm waters penetrate, there are a lot of plankton and fish; on the rocks of the islands and coasts, birds (“bird markets”) settle.
Economic use . The Arctic Ocean is of great economic importance for Russia, which goes to it over a vast extent, as well as for Canada and some other countries. The economic and technical level of these countries makes it possible to develop the harsh waters of the ocean.
In our country, great work is underway to develop Northern Sea Route, through which cargo is provided to vast areas of Siberia and the Far East. Icebreakers, including nuclear ones, are used to pilot ships. The necessary scientific and operational maintenance of the needs of the fleet and polar aviation is being carried out.
biological resources oceans are small. However, in the Atlantic sector of the ocean, biological productivity is increasing. There is intensive fishing; the local population fishes for seals, ringed seals, and walruses.
Mineral resources of the Arctic oceans are still poorly understood. However, the exploitation of oil and gas fields has begun on the shelf, placer deposits of heavy metals have been discovered. Harsh natural conditions hinder the exploration and development of already discovered mineral deposits.
Bogdanov D.V. Regional physical geography of the World Ocean. M.: Higher school, 1985. 176 p.
Korinskaya V.A., Dushina I.V., Shchenev V.A. Geography of continents and oceans: A textbook for the 7th grade of high school. 3rd ed., revised. Moscow: Education, 1993. 287 p.
Stepanov V.N. The nature of the oceans. Moscow: Education, 1982. 189 p.
Countries and peoples: Popular science geographical and ethnographic publication: In 20 vols. M .: Thought, 1978-1985. (Volumes: Africa. General overview. North Africa; Australia and Oceania. Antarctica; America. General overview. North America; South America; Overseas Europe. General overview. Northern Europe; Overseas Asia. General overview. Southwest Asia).
TableVIII.2
Water balance of Russia by sea basins
Sea basins | Elements of water balance | Coefficient |
||||||
Volume, km 3 | water runoff |
|||||||
Evaporation | Evaporation | |||||||
Bely and Barents | ||||||||
Baltic | ||||||||
Black and Azov | ||||||||
Caspian | ||||||||
The Atlantic Ocean is located mainly in the Western Hemisphere. From north to south, it stretches for 16 thousand km. In the northern and southern parts, the ocean expands, and in the equatorial latitudes it narrows to 2900 km.
Atlantic Ocean- the second largest among the oceans. The coastline of the ocean in the Northern Hemisphere is heavily dissected by peninsulas and bays. The continents in the ocean have many islands, inland and marginal seas.
Bottom relief
The Mid-Ocean Ridge stretches across the entire ocean at approximately equal distance from the coasts of the continents. The relative height of the ridge is 2 km. In the axial part of the ridge there is a rift valley 6 to 30 km wide and up to 2 km deep. Transverse faults divide the ridge into separate segments. The rifts and faults of the Mid-Ocean Spine are associated with underwater active volcanoes, as well as those of Iceland and the Azores. The ocean has the greatest depth within the Puerto Rico Trench - 8742 m. The shelf area of the Atlantic Ocean is quite large - more than in the Pacific Ocean.
Climate
The Atlantic Ocean is located in all climatic zones of the Earth, so its climates are very diverse. Most of the ocean (between 40°N and 42°S) is located in the subtropical, tropical, subequatorial, and equatorial climatic zones. The southern parts of the ocean are characterized by a strict climate, the northern regions are somewhat less cold.
Water properties and ocean currents
The zonality of water masses in the ocean is very complicated by the influence of land and sea currents, and is manifested primarily in the temperature distribution of surface waters. The northern half of the ocean is warmer than the southern one, the temperature difference reaches 6 ° C. The average surface water temperature is +16.5 ° C.
The salinity of surface waters in the Atlantic Ocean is high. Many large rivers flow into the ocean and its seas (Amazon, Koigo, Mississippi, Nile, Danube, Parana, etc.). In desalinated bays and seas of subpolar and temperate latitudes, ice forms near the eastern shores in winter. A feature of the ocean is the numerous icebergs and floating sea ice brought here from the Arctic Ocean and from the coast of Antarctica.
Due to the strong elongation of the Atlantic Ocean from north to south, meridional ocean currents are more developed in it than latitudinal ones. Two systems of surface currents are formed in the Atlantic. In the Northern Hemisphere, it looks like a figure eight - the Northern Trade Wind, Gulf Stream, North Atlantic and Ka-Nar currents form the movement of waters clockwise in temperate and tropical latitudes. In the northern part, the North Atlantic Current sends the waters of the Atlantic into the Arctic Ocean counterclockwise. As cold currents, they return to the Atlantic Ocean in the northeastern part. In the Southern Hemisphere, the South Tradewind, Brazilian, West Winds and Benguela currents form the movement of waters counterclockwise in the form of a single ring.
organic world
The Atlantic Ocean compared to the Pacific Ocean had a poorer species composition of living organisms. However, in terms of quantity and total biomass, the Atlantic Ocean is rich in organisms. This is primarily due to the wide distribution of the shelf, on which many demersal and demersal fish (cod, perch, flounder, etc.) live.
Natural complexes
In the Atlantic Ocean, all zonal complexes are distinguished - natural belts, except for the northern polar one. The waters of the northern subpolar belt are rich in various types of living organisms - especially on the shelf near the berets of Greenland and Labrador. The temperate zone is characterized by intense interaction of cold and warm waters, a large number of living organisms. These are the most fishy areas of the Atlantic. Large expanses of warm waters of the subtropical, tropical and equatorial zones are less productive than the waters of the northern temperate zone. In the northern subtropical zone, a special natural water complex of the Sargas Sea is distinguished. It is characterized by increased water salinity - up to 37.5% w and low productivity.
In the temperate zone of the Southern Hemisphere, complexes are distinguished (as in the northern one), where waters with different temperatures and densities mix. The complexes of the subantarctic and antarctic belts are characterized by the seasonal distribution of floating ice and icebergs.
Economic use
All types of marine activities are represented in the Atlantic Ocean, among which the most important is marine, transport, underwater oil and gas production, and only then - the use of biological resources.
Atlantic Ocean- the main sea route of the world, an area of intensive shipping. More than 70 coastal countries with a population of more than 1300,000,000 people are located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean.
The mineral resources of the ocean include placer deposits of rare metals, diamonds, and gold. In the bowels of the shelf, reserves of iron ores and sulfur are concentrated, large deposits of oil and gas have been discovered, which are exploited by many countries (the North Sea, etc.). Some areas of the shelf are rich in coal. Ocean energy is used in the operation of tidal power plants (for example, at the mouth of the Rance River in northern France).
Many of the Atlantic countries extract from the ocean and its seas such mineral wealth as table salt, magnesium, bromine, and uranium. Desalination plants operate in arid regions.
The biological resources of the ocean are also intensively used. The Atlantic Ocean is the largest per unit area, but its biological resources are depleted in some areas.
In connection with intensive economic activity in many seas in the open ocean, environmental conditions are deteriorating - water and air pollution, a decrease in stocks of valuable commercial fish and other animals. Recreational conditions on the ocean shores are deteriorating.
1. What influence does its geographical position and size have on the nature of the Atlantic Ocean?
The meridional extent of the Atlantic Ocean determines the difference in its nature in latitude. The north of the ocean is strongly influenced by the Arctic, and the south by the Antarctic; the ocean lies in almost all climatic zones. The differences in longitude are not so great, since, unlike the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean is much narrower. Sea currents, especially the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic, have a strong influence on the nature and climate of the ocean coasts.
2. Select natural complexes in the ocean, in which latitudinal zonality is manifested, and complexes formed under the influence of land. Explain their features. Separate natural complexes in the ocean can be identified, taking as a basis the boundary of climatic zones. The seas of the Atlantic Ocean are distinguished into separate natural complexes, the most interesting of which is the natural complex of the Sargasso Sea.
3. Write a description of the nature of the Mediterranean Sea.
On a contour map, mark all the seas of the Atlantic Ocean, including the Mediterranean Sea. Using the maps of the school atlas, determine the features of their geographical location, climatic characteristics, forms of economic use by man and other features of nature and economy.
4. What parts of the Atlantic Ocean are especially polluted? Why?
Pollution of the waters of the Atlantic contributes to economic activity. The degree of pollution depends on the intensity of the use of the natural resources of the ocean. The coastal waters of the ocean are the most polluted. Severe water pollution is observed in areas through which sea transport routes pass.
- write a description of the nature of the mediterranean sea
- what parts of the atlantic ocean are especially polluted why
- what influence on the nature of the Atlantic Ocean do its geographical position and size
- what impact on the nature of the atlantic ocean do it
- description of the nature of the Mediterranean Sea
Atlantic Ocean is the second largest in the world, while about half the size of the Pacific Ocean.
It is bounded to the north by Greenland and Iceland, to the east by Africa and Europe, to the west by North and South America, and to the south by Antarctica.
It is easy to see that the ocean washes the shores of almost all continents, and has a noticeably elongated shape.
Characteristics of the Atlantic Ocean
The area of the Atlantic Ocean exceeds 91 million km2, and this is a lot.
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Its depth is also impressive: the maximum is 8742 meters, and the average is about 3600 meters. Due to this, the volume of its waters is very large - 329.6 million km3. This is a quarter of the world's oceans.
Brief information:
- The bottom of the Atlantic Ocean is very uneven, and has many faults, depressions and small mountains.
And from north to south, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge runs along the central part of the ocean floor, it divides the ocean into western and eastern parts (they are almost equal to each other). Earthquakes and underwater volcanic eruptions are observed in the region of the ridge.
- — Seas, bays and straits occupy about 16% of the area of the Atlantic Ocean (14.7 million km2).
- There are relatively few islands in the ocean, about a thousand.
- - Due to the large extent of the reservoir, as well as atmospheric circulation and ocean currents, the Atlantic Ocean includes all the climatic zones of the planet.
In general, the average temperature in its open spaces in summer is 20 °C, and in winter - from 0 to 10 °C. As you move north from the equator, the temperature drops noticeably.
- - The salinity of the waters ranges from 34‰ (at the equator) to 39‰ (in the Mediterranean Sea). Although in areas where rivers flow into the ocean, this figure can be halved.
- - Floating ice on the surface of the ocean is formed only in its northern and southern parts, since they are close to the poles of the planet.
- - The diversity of flora and fauna of the Atlantic Ocean is very large, but it can also boast of the number of living organisms.
Thanks to this, the ocean feeds a huge number of people. But this leads to a noticeable reduction in the representatives of the animal world. That is why a limit on fishing has been set, as well as other similar restrictions.
- - In the Atlantic Ocean, minerals are mined (oil, gas, iron ore, sulfur, and many others). This leads to gradual pollution of its waters.
- - The Atlantic Ocean got its name from the ancient Greek myth of Atlanta - a mighty titan who holds the vault of heaven on his shoulders.
- The famous Bermuda Triangle is located in the Atlantic Ocean.
In that area, many ships and planes really disappeared, but there are scientific justifications for these incidents. However, what actually happened, no one knows for sure.
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Economic use of the Atlantic Ocean
Among them, maritime transport is of the greatest importance, then - underwater oil and gas production, only then - the catch and use of biological resources.
More than 70 coastal countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people are located on the shores of the Atlantic. Many transoceanic routes pass through the ocean with large volumes of freight and passenger traffic.
On the coasts of the ocean and its seas, the most significant ports of the world in terms of cargo turnover are located.
The already explored mineral resources of the ocean are significant (examples are given above). However, oil and gas fields are currently being intensively developed on the shelf of the North and Caribbean Seas, in the Bay of Biscay. Many countries that previously did not have significant reserves of these types of mineral raw materials are now experiencing an economic upswing due to their extraction (England, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.).
The biological resources of the ocean have long been intensively used.
However, due to the overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic has yielded to the Pacific Ocean in terms of fish and seafood.
Intensive human economic activity in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, a decrease in the stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts.
Economic use of the Atlantic Ocean wikipedia
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HELP!business activities in the Atlantic Ocean
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All types of human economic activity in marine areas are represented in the Atlantic Ocean.
Among them, maritime transport is the most important, followed by underwater oil and gas production, and only then is the capture and use of biological resources. More than 70 coastal countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people are located on the shores of the Atlantic. Many transoceanic routes pass through the ocean with large volumes of freight and passenger traffic. On the coasts of the ocean and its seas, the most significant ports of the world in terms of cargo turnover are located. The already explored mineral resources of the ocean are significant (examples are given above).
However, oil and gas fields are currently being intensively developed on the shelf of the North and Caribbean Seas, in the Bay of Biscay.
Question: HELP! economic activities in the Atlantic Ocean
Many countries that previously did not have significant reserves of these types of mineral raw materials are now experiencing an economic upswing due to their extraction (England, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.). The biological resources of the ocean have long been intensively used.
However, due to the overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic has yielded to the Pacific Ocean in terms of fish and seafood. Intensive human economic activity in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, a decrease in the stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts.
In particular, recreational conditions on the ocean coast are deteriorating. In order to prevent further and reduce the existing pollution of the natural environment of the Atlantic Ocean, scientific recommendations are being developed and international agreements are being concluded on the rational use of ocean resources.
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natural complexes. In the Atlantic Ocean, all zonal complexes are distinguished - natural belts, except for the north polar. Water northern subpolar belt rich in life. It is especially developed on the shelves off the coasts of Iceland, Greenland and the Labrador Peninsula. Temperate zone characterized by intense interaction of cold and warm waters, its waters are the most productive areas of the Atlantic. Vast expanses of warm waters subtropical, two tropical and equatorial belts less productive than the waters of the northern temperate zone.
In the northern subtropical zone stands out a special natural aquatic complex of the Sargasso Sea. It is characterized by high water salinity (up to 37.5 ppm) and low bioproductivity. In clear water, pure blue colors grow brown algae - sargasso, which gave the name of the water area.
In the temperate zone of the southern hemisphere, as in the north, natural complexes are rich in life in areas where waters with different temperatures and water densities mix. In the subantarctic and antarctic belts the manifestation of seasonal and permanent ice phenomena, which are reflected in the composition of the fauna (krill, cetaceans, notothenia fish), is characteristic.
Economic use. All types of human economic activity in marine areas are represented in the Atlantic Ocean. Among them, maritime transport is of the greatest importance, then - underwater oil and gas production, only then - the catch and use of biological resources.
More than 70 coastal countries with a population of over 1.3 billion people are located on the shores of the Atlantic. Many transoceanic routes pass through the ocean with large volumes of freight and passenger traffic. On the coasts of the ocean and its seas, the most significant ports of the world in terms of cargo turnover are located.
The already explored mineral resources of the ocean are significant (examples are given above). However, oil and gas fields are currently being intensively developed on the shelf of the North and Caribbean Seas, in the Bay of Biscay. Many countries that previously did not have significant reserves of these types of mineral raw materials are now experiencing an economic upswing due to their extraction (England, Norway, the Netherlands, Mexico, etc.).
biological resources oceans have long been intensively used. However, due to the overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic has yielded to the Pacific Ocean in terms of fish and seafood.
Intensive human economic activity in the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, a decrease in the stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts. In particular, recreational conditions on the ocean coast are deteriorating. In order to prevent further and reduce the existing pollution of the natural environment of the Atlantic Ocean, scientific recommendations are being developed and international agreements are being concluded on the rational use of ocean resources.
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