The name Baydaratskaya Bay was assigned to one of the significant bays in the Kara Sea. The coast of the bay is mostly uninhabited, but this does not mean that the bay itself is not of interest. This interest is mainly associated with the transportation of gas from the Yamal Peninsula, where a number of large fields are located. To implement the gas pipeline project along the bottom of the bay, a huge amount of research is needed. This makes it possible to obtain important information about the flora, fauna, bottom topography, and temperature conditions.
Where to look on the map
Baydaratskaya Bay cuts into the southwestern part of the Kara Sea. To be more precise, you need to look for it on the map between two peninsulas: Ugra and Yamal. This territory belongs to the Siberian part of Russia.
The coastline of the bay stretches for about 180 km. The entrance to the bay is about 78 km wide and about 20 m deep.
Many rivers flow into the bay. We are talking about Baydart, Yuribey, Kara and other water arteries.
A bit about the Kara Sea
Since Baydaratskaya Bay is a part of the Kara Sea, it is necessary to tell a little about it. The Kara Sea is part of the Siberian Arctic group. In addition to the Kara Sea, the group unites the Barents, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi Sea. The association was carried out according to several signs:
- The above group belongs to the Arctic Ocean and is the marginal seas.
- In the group, all members are close in nature: they lie beyond the Arctic Circle.
- All these seas have borders in the southern part (the coast of Eurasia) and open communication with the ocean in the north.
- All the seas of this group lie almost entirely within the shelf.
- Presumably the entire group of seas has the same origin. They are geographically young and formed as a result of postglacial transgression.
The Kara Sea is rightfully considered one of the largest seas in Russia. Its area is more than 883 km², and its volume is almost 99 thousand km³. The average depth of the sea was approximately 110 m, and the point with the greatest depth was 596 m.
The Kara Sea has a winding coastline indented by large and small fjords. The largest bays are Baydaratskaya Bay and Ob Bay.
Water temperature
Since the Kara Sea is a member of the Arctic Siberian group, it is not necessary to expect a high water temperature in the Baydaratskaya Bay. On the surface, sea water warms up to a maximum of 6 ° C. For most of the year (from October to June) the Baidarata Bay waters are ice-bound. Sometimes the ice breaks due to the rising waves during storms in the open part of the Kara Sea. In addition, strong winds and tides can slightly affect ice movement.
Coastal part of the lip
Baydaratskaya Bay has a gentle coastal part. Here typical tundra vegetation is observed. In some places, the shore of the bay is swampy, as many rivers flow into the bay (about 70). There are very few settlements on the lip. This is the village of Ust-Kara, the village of Yary, Ust-Yuribey and Morrasale. The initial connection goes by rail, it is about 30 km. Further ground path is possible only by road winter road. This is the name of automobile roads that can be used only at sub-zero temperatures.
The composition of the zoobenthos of the bay
The Baidarata Bay of the Kara Sea has been studied for many years. Zoobenthos, consisting of nine representatives of invertebrates, was discovered here. These are protozoa, intestinal, flat, primary celiac and annelid worms, mollusks, echinoderms, arthropods and tunicates.
The composition of bottom animals varies in areas of the Baydaratskaya Bay with different depths. This includes valuable feed groups of organisms. This is associated with the presence of a large set of commercial fish that spawn, feed their mass and winter in the coastal part of the bay. Here you can find omul, vendace, muksun , pygian fish, smelt, saffron cod, one of the species of flounder and other fish.
Bottom relief
The underwater coastline of the Baydaratskaya Bay is a slope, in fact an abrasion plain with a depth of 6 to 12 meters in different parts of the bay.
Outside the underwater slope is a gently sloping plain covered with clay soils. It occupies the largest bottom area of the entire bay.
Not very deep erosion incisions were found in the bottom topography. These formations are associated with numerous estuaries. The largest incision is the Ob Pradolina. In addition, there are erosive remnants - special elevations that are fragments of subaerial reliefs.
Gas pipeline
The underwater gas pipelines are being laid along the bottom of the Baydaratskaya Bay. This is necessary for successful development of the Yamal field. It is planned to build five branches. One of the largest projects is the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas pipeline, which will then join the Yamal-Europe pipeline. In addition, it is planned to transport along the Northern Sea Route on unique vessels for the transportation of gas having the Arc7 ice class.
Since numerous studies were carried out and the suitability of the bottom of the Bay of Baydaratskaya Bay was proved, the gas pipeline began to be laid in 2008. Construction has not yet been completed. The Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas pipeline was partially commissioned in 2012.
Interesting fact
The largest meteorite crater in Russia has been discovered on the shore of the Baydaratskaya Bay. The diameter of the crater is 120 km. It is located on the Ugra Peninsula and is called the Kara Crater.