In order to better understand the environmental problems of the Russian Plain, it is necessary to consider in detail what natural resources this geographical area has and what is remarkable for it.
Features of the Russian Plain
First of all, we will answer the question of where the Russian Plain is located. The East European Plain is located on the continent of Eurasia and occupies the second place in the world in area after the Amazon Plain. The second name of the East European Plain is Russian. This is due to the fact that a significant part of it is occupied by the state of Russia. It is on this territory that a large part of the country's population is concentrated and the largest cities are located.
The length of the plain from north to south is almost 2.5 thousand km, and from east to west - about 3 thousand km. Almost the entire territory of the Russian Plain has a flat relief with a slight slope - not more than 5 degrees. This is mainly due to the fact that the plain almost completely coincides with the East European platform. Here the movement of the earth's crust is not felt and, as a result, there are no destructive natural phenomena (earthquakes).
The average height of the plain is about 200 m above sea level. It reaches its maximum height on the Bugulminsko-Belebeyevskaya Upland - 479 m. The Russian plain can be conditionally divided into three bands: northern, central and southern. On its territory there are a number of elevations: the Middle Russian Plain, Smolensk-Moscow Upland - and the lowlands: Polesskaya, Oksko-Don Plain, etc.
Minerals of the Russian Plain
The Russian plain is rich in resources. There are all types of minerals: ore, nonmetallic, combustible. A special place is occupied by the extraction of iron ore, oil and gas.
1. Ore
Iron ore Kursk magnetic anomaly. Deposits: Lebedinskoye, Mikhailovskoye, Stoilenskoye, Yakovlevskoye. The ore of these developed deposits is characterized by a high iron content of 41.5%.
2. Non-metallic
- Bauxites. Deposits: Wislovskoe. Alumina content in the rock reaches 70%.
- Chalk, marl, fine-grained sand. Deposits: Volskoye, Tashlinskoye, Dyatkovskoye, etc.
- Brown coal. Pools: Donetsk, Moscow Region, Pechora.
- Diamonds Deposits of the Arkhangelsk region.
3. Combustible
- Oil and gas. Oil and gas bearing areas: Timan-Pechora and Volga-Ural.
- Oil shale. Deposits: Kashpirovskoye, General Syrskoye.
Minerals of the Russian Plain are mined in various ways, which has a negative impact on the environment. Soil, water and atmosphere are clogged.
The impact of human activity on the nature of the East European Plain
The environmental problems of the Russian Plain are largely related to human activities: the development of mineral deposits, the construction of cities, roads, the emissions of large enterprises, their use of huge volumes of water, whose reserves do not have time to be replenished, and also are polluted.
Below we consider all the environmental problems of the Russian Plain. The table will show what problems exist, where they are localized. Possible methods of struggle are presented.
Ecological problems of the Russian plain. Table| Problem | Causes | Localization | What threatens | Solutions |
| Soil pollution | KMA development | Belgorod region Kursk region | Crop yield reduction | Land reclamation through the accumulation of black soil and overburden |
| Industrial engineering | Areas: Belgorod, Kursk, Orenburg, Volgograd, Astrakhan | Proper waste management, reclamation of depleted land |
| Rail and highway construction | All areas |
| Development of chalk, phosphorite, rock salt, shale, bauxite deposits | Regions: Moscow, Tula, Astrakhan, Bryansk, Saratov, etc. |
| Hydrosphere pollution | KMA development | Kursk region, Belgorod region | Groundwater level reduction | Water purification, rising groundwater |
| Groundwater pumping | Moscow region, Orenburg region and etc. | The occurrence of karst landforms, surface deformation due to subsidence of rocks, landslides, funnels |
Air pollution
| KMA development | Kursk region, Belgorod region | Air pollution by harmful emissions, accumulation of heavy metals | The increase in the area of forests, green spaces |
| Large industrial enterprises | Regions: Moscow, Ivanovo, Orenburg, Astrakhan, etc. | Greenhouse gas accumulation | Installation of high-quality filters on enterprise pipes |
| Big cities | All major centers | Decrease in the number of vehicles, increase in green areas, parks |
| Decreased species diversity of flora and fauna | Hunting and population growth | All areas | The number of animals decreases, the species of plants and animals disappear | Creation of reserves and nature reserves |
Climate of the Russian Plain
The climate of the East European Plain is temperate continental. Continentality increases when moving deep into the mainland. The average temperature of the plain in the coldest month (January) is -8 degrees in the west and -12 degrees in the east. In the warmest month (July), the average temperature in the northwest is +18 degrees, in the southeast +21 degrees.
The greatest amount of precipitation falls in the warm season - approximately 60-70% of the annual amount. There is more rainfall over the highlands than over the lowlands. Annual precipitation in the western part is 800 mm per year, in the eastern - 600 mm.
There are several natural zones on the Russian plain: steppes and semi-deserts, forest-steppes, broad-leaved forests, mixed forests, taiga, tundra (when moving from south to north).
Forest resources of the plains are mainly represented by conifers - it is pine and spruce. Previously, forests were actively cut down and used in the woodworking industry. Currently, forests have recreational, water-regulating and water conservation significance.
Flora and fauna of the East European Plain
Due to small climatic differences on the territory of the Russian Plain, pronounced soil and plant zonality can be observed. Northern sod-podzolic soils to the south are replaced by more fertile chernozems, which affects the nature of vegetation.
Flora and fauna have been significantly affected by human activities. Many species of plants have disappeared. From the fauna, the greatest damage was done to the fur animals, which have always been a desirable object of hunting. Endangered mink, muskrat, raccoon dog, beaver. Such large ungulates as tarpan were forever exterminated, saigas and bison almost disappeared.
To preserve certain species of animals and plants, reserves were created: Oksky, Galichya Gora, Central Black Earth them. V.V. Alekhina, Forest in Vorskla, etc.
Rivers and seas of the East European Plain
Where the Russian Plain is located, there are many rivers and lakes. The main rivers that play a major role in human activities are the Volga, Oka and Don.
Volga - the largest river in Europe. The Volga-Kama hydro-industrial complex is located on it, which includes a dam, hydroelectric power station and a reservoir. The length of the Volga is 3631 km. Many of its tributaries are used on the farm for irrigation.
Don also plays a significant role in industrial activity. Its length is 1870 km. The Volga-Don Shipping Canal and the Tsimlyansk Reservoir are especially important.
In addition to these large rivers on the plain flow: Khoper, Voronezh, Bityug, Severnaya Dvina, Zapadnaya Dvina, Onega, Kem and others.
In addition to rivers, the Russian Plain includes the seas: Baltic, Barents, White, Black, Caspian.
The Nord Stream gas pipeline runs along the bottom of the Baltic Sea. This affects the ecological situation of the hydrological object. During the laying of the gas pipeline, water clogged, many fish species decreased in numbers.
Some minerals are mined in the Baltic, Barents, Caspian and White Seas , which, in turn, adversely affects the waters. Some industrial waste seeps into the seas.
In the Barents and Black Seas, some types of fish are caught on an industrial scale: cod, herring, flounder, haddock, halibut, catfish, anchovy, zander, mackerel, etc.
In the Caspian Sea fishing is carried out, mainly sturgeon. Due to favorable natural conditions, there are many sanatoriums and tourist centers on the seashore. Shipping routes pass along the Black Sea. Oil products are exported from Russian ports.
Groundwater of the Russian Plain
In addition to surface water, underground water is used by humans, which, due to irrational use, adversely affects soils - subsidence is formed, etc. Three large artesian basins stand out on the plain: the Caspian, Central Russian and East Russian. They serve as a source of water for a vast territory.