Characteristics and resources of the Sea of Japan

The water area of the Sea of Japan refers to the Pacific Ocean, or more precisely, to its western part. It is located near the island of Sakhalin, between Asia and Japan. Washes South and North Korea, Japan and the Russian Federation.

Although the pond belongs to the ocean basin, it is well isolated from it. This affects both the salinity of the Sea of Japan and its fauna. The overall balance of water is regulated by outflows and tributaries flowing through straits. In water exchange practically does not participate (the contribution is small: 1%).

With other reservoirs and the Pacific Ocean, the four straits (Tsushima, Soya, Mamaia, Tsugaru) are connected. The surface area is about 1062 km ² . The average depth of the Sea of Japan is 1753 m, the largest is 3,742 m. It is difficult to freeze, only its northern part is covered with ice in winter.

Hydronym is generally accepted, however it is disputed by the Korean powers. They argue that the name, literally, is imposed by the Japanese side to the whole world. In South Korea, it is called the Eastern Sea, and the North uses the name of the Korean East Sea.

The problems of the Sea of Japan are directly related to ecology. They could be called typical, were it not for the fact that several states are washing the pond at once. They have different policies on the protection of sea water , so the influence on the part of people also varies. Among the main problems can be listed as follows:

• Industrial extraction;
• The release of radioactive substances and petroleum products;
• Oil stains.

Climatic conditions

The climate is marine, so warm water and monsoons are a frequent phenomenon for this sea. The southeast is characterized by frequent precipitation, in the north-west there is a minimum amount. In the autumn season, typhoons are often observed. The waves sometimes reach 10 meters. The Tatar Strait freezes by 90% . As a rule, ice lasts about 3-4 months.

The temperature of the Sea of Japan varies by several dozen degrees depending on the area. The north and west are characterized by -20 ° C, the eastern and southern - by +5 ° C. August is already a warm month for several years. At this time of the year in the north, the temperature reaches + 15 ° C, in the south - + 25 ° C.

The salinity of the Sea of Japan and its glaciers

Salinity ranges from 33 to 34 ppm - it is several times lower than in the waters of the World Ocean.

The Sea of Japan on the glaciation is divided into three parts:

• Tatarsky against;
• The Gulf of Peter the Great;
• The area from Turning Point to Belkin.

As already described above, the ice is always localized in part of this strait and the bay. In other places it is practically not formed (unless you take into account the bays and the north-western waters).

An interesting fact is that initially ice appears in places where the fresh water of the Sea of Japan is present, and only then it spreads to other parts of the reservoir.

Glaciation in the Tatar Strait holds in the south for about 80 days, in the north - 170 days; In the Peter the Great Bay - 120 days.

If the winter is not characterized by severe frosts, then the regions are covered with ice in the beginning-end of November; If there are temperature drops to critical marks, then freezing occurs earlier.

By February, the formation of the cover ceases. At this point, the Tatar Strait is covered by about 50%, and the Gulf of Peter the Great - by 55%.

Thawing often begins in March. The depth of the Sea of Japan contributes to the rapid process of getting rid of ice. It can begin in late April. If the temperature is kept low, thawing begins at the beginning of June. First, parts of the Gulf of Peter the Great open, in particular, its open water areas, and the coasts of the Golden Cape. At a time when the ice begins to recede in the Tatar Strait, in its eastern part it thaws.

Resources of the Sea of Japan

Human biological resources are used to the maximum extent. Near the shelf, fisheries are developed. Herring, tuna and sardines are considered valuable fish species. In the central regions catch squid, in the north and in the south-west - salmon. Important role is also played by algae of the Sea of Japan.

Flora and fauna

The biological resources of the Sea of Japan in different parts have their own characteristics. Due to climatic conditions in the north and north-west nature has moderate characteristics, in the south the faunistic complex prevails. Near the Far East there are plants and animals that live in a warm and temperate climate. Here you can see squid and octopus. In addition to them, there are brown algae, sea urchins, stars, shrimps and crabs. Yet the resources of the Sea of Japan squeak from diversity. Few where you can find red ascidians. Scallops, ruffs and dogs are common.

Problems of the sea

The main problem is the consumption of sea resources due to the constant catch of fish and crabs, algae, scallops, sea urchins. Together with state flotillas, poaching is flourishing. Abuse of prey fish and shellfish leads to the permanent extinction of any species of marine animals.

In addition, carefree fishing can lead to the death of people. Due to fuels and lubricants, sewage and petroleum products, fish die, mutate or become polluted, which pose a great danger to consumers.

A few years ago this problem was overcome thanks to coherent actions and agreements between the Russian Federation and Japan.

Ports of companies, enterprises and settlements - the main source of pollution with waters containing chlorine, oil, mercury, nitrogen and other dangerous substances. Because of the high concentration of these substances, blue-green algae develop. Because of them, there is a danger of contamination with hydrogen sulfide.

Tides

Complex tides are characteristic of the Sea of Japan. Their cyclicity in different regions is significantly different. Semidiurnal occurs near the Korean Strait and near the Tatar. Daytime tides are inherent in the territories adjacent to the coast of the Russian Federation, the Republic of Korea and the DPRK, as well as near Hokkaido and Honshu (Japan). Near the Gulf of Peter the Great, tides have a mixed character.

The level of the tides is low: from 1 to 3 meters. In some areas, the amplitude varies from 2.2 to 2.7 m.

Seasonal fluctuations are also not uncommon. They are observed most often in the summer; In winter there are fewer. At the water level affects the nature of the wind, its strength. Why the resources of the Sea of Japan depend greatly.

Transparency

Throughout the sea, water of different colors: from blue to blue with a green tint. As a rule, transparency is maintained at a depth of 10 m. There is a lot of oxygen in the waters of the Sea of Japan, which contributes to the development of resources. Phytoplankton is more abundant in the north and west of the reservoir. On the water surface, the oxygen concentration reaches almost 95%, but this figure gradually decreases with depth, and already by 3 thousand meters is equal to 70%.