Only a few decades ago, the list of the cleanest seas in the world could be quite impressive. But thanks to all of humanity, this picture, unfortunately, is changing for the worse day by day. However, there are still untouched places. Where are they?
Here will be told about the amazing discovery of the Englishman Weddell - the sea. Which ocean does it belong to? What features does it have? We will try to answer these and many other questions in the article.
It is also difficult to imagine that there are seas whose water warms up all year round only a couple of degrees above zero or even does not cross this border at all.
It is believed that the coldest place on Earth is in the north. But it turned out that the coldest water was off the coast of Antarctica, completely covered in ice and covered with melting blue and white snow.
The most transparent seas in the world
1. The dead, located between Israel and Jordan, is the most saline in the world, and its waters are the most unsuitable for life.
2. Red, considered the most beautiful and cleanest in the world, is located between the Arabian Peninsula and Africa. It is striking in its picturesqueness, the fabulous beauty of flora and fauna.
3. The Mediterranean is also often referred to the category of the cleanest seas, but here we are talking only about some of its coasts.
4. Aegean like the Mediterranean - its purity is directly related to the coastal zone of the country.
The Weddell Sea heads this list of the cleanest natural reservoirs, which will be described in more detail below.
Weddell Sea Opening Date
In 1823, an expedition from England led by the Englishman J. Weddell discovered this amazing sea, enchanting with its cold beauty. He was given the first name - the sea of George IV. A little later, it was renamed in honor of its discoverer.
Where is the Weddell Sea? Description
It extends off the coast of West Antarctica.
This is a marginal sea in the Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean, located between the Antarctic Peninsula (west) and the Cottsland (east). The entire area of the natural reservoir is 2900 thousand square kilometers. For the most part, its depth is 3000 meters, but in places it can reach up to 6800 meters. The southern and southwestern shores are mainly on the shallows (depth is approximately 500 meters).
The coast of the southern part was created by the edge of the ice shelves (Filchner and Ronne), from which periodically (1 time in 20-25) huge pieces of ice, icebergs break off. Almost all year round (or rather most of the year) a huge amount of ice floats in the sea. The fauna here is represented by seals, whales, fish.
Features of the Weddell Sea
As noted above, the sea is the cleanest in the world. In 1986, in the fall, German scientists at the Polar Star scientific vessel measured the maximum transparency value (79 m). And this is the transparency of distilled water. True, theoretically for distilled water, this mark (where Secchi's white disk of 30 cm diameter disappears from view) corresponds to a depth of 80 meters.
Unfortunately, this amazing crystal clear sea is not suitable for swimming at all. And it is always covered with drifting ice.
The Weddell Sea is also one of the most dangerous in the world. Floating ice and icebergs pose a terrible threat to ships.
This natural reservoir refutes the laws of physics. What's the matter? The amazing thing is that the water, even at the very base of these icy mountains, does not freeze, but it can have a minus 25 degrees temperature!
A bit about the harshest (coldest) seas
So which seas are the coldest? Consider 5 of them.
1. The Weddell Sea is undoubtedly the coldest.
2. The Amundsen Sea is relatively shallow and small. Its depth is only 585 meters, an area of not more than 100 thousand square meters. meters. The whole year the sea is completely covered with a thick layer of ice.
3. The Davis Sea is also covered by eternal glaciers. It is here that the Mirny station, established in 1956, has been located here since Soviet times.
4. The Bellingshausen Sea was discovered in 1821. In winter, the surface is covered with floating ice floes and icebergs. Along the coast, the year-round water has a temperature of about minus one degree, to the north the water “warms up”, reaching the “0” mark.
5. The Ross Sea is the first sea (the coast of Antarctica), the water temperature of which, at least occasionally, is above zero. In summer, at the surface - plus two degrees Celsius.
By right, the leading harsh, cold, but crystal clear Weddell Sea attracts with its impregnable, stately, fantastic beauty and mystery. It tops the list of the cleanest in the world and inaccessible in terms of seafaring.