Help the development of the site, sharing the article with friends!
The White Sea is one of the coldest seas on the planet, with temperatures ranging from 0 to -2ºC during the winter and from 12 to 15ºC during the summer. Despite its low temperatures, it is a sea that is home to great biodiversity, which is why it has a Russian biological station in its vicinity.
In this Green Ecologist article we talk to you why is the White Sea called like that and some characteristics and curiosities of it.
Why is it called the white sea and where is it located
This sea is situated in a great gulf of another sea, that of Barent Sea in northwestern Russia. This sea was known to the ancient Vikings as Gandvik, which can be translated as "Bay of snakes". Currently, it is known with the name of the White Sea, since its large surface remains frozen during most of the year, due to its low temperatures. The sea is bordered to the northeast by the Kanin Peninsula, to the west by Karelia and to the north by the Kola Peninsula. The surface area of this sea is approximately 95,000 km2.
The sea has an average depth that varies between 50 and 200 meters, with its deepest point located at 340 meters. Four great rivers flow into its waters, they are the Mezenov, Ponoyu, Kem, Onega and Dvina to the north.
The White Sea has four large gulfs or bays in its interior: one in its outer part, the Bay of Menzen located to the east, and three in its internal part, to the southeast the Bay of Dvina, to the south the Gulf of Onega and to the south. northwest the Gulf of Kandalakcha. There are also several islands within it, the largest of which are Morzhóvets Island and Solovetsky Islands, which have been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Next, we explain more about conditions in the White Sea like climate, salinity, mineral resources and biodiversity so that you know it better.
The top of the White Sea
As we mentioned earlier, the temperature of this sea fluctuates between 0 ºC and -2 ºC during winter and instead between 12ºC and 15ºC during the summer.
The sea is covered by ice most of the year, but especially in the winter, when the ice increases from October and forms large plates or icebergs during the month of November. The winds that come from the north mean that these icebergs can be found floating in the sea until well into June. From May to August, there is an increase of several degrees in the temperature of the water, which can even rise to 16 ºC (maximum) in the central part of the basin. At a depth of 50 meters, temperatures are close to 0ºC.
Salinity and other minerals of the White Sea
The salinity of the White Sea It is related to its hydrological regime, since it receives groundwater and from several rivers and its level of water exchange with the Barents Sea is very low. The mean salinity of the White Sea is approximately 26 ppm, at some points it is 18 ppm, reaching a maximum of 31 ppm at 100 meters depth.
Regarding the geological resources or other minerals that are in the bottoms that are located under the White Sea, we can highlight that these are formed by materials such as sand, gravel, shells, or pebbles. Important deposits of ferromanganese have recently been discovered under this sea.
The biodiversity of the White Sea
Despite its cold waters and its high level of salinity compared to other seas and oceans, the White Sea is home to a great diversity of life under its waters. This sea is used by many species of animals from marine regions that migrate to this place in search of a refuge, such as seals and spotted seals. Beluga whale populations can also be found in its waters. Marine biodiversity is so rich that in its vicinity there is a important biological station, where hundreds of researchers and students pass throughout the year. Its waters also represent an important source for fishing, as salmon, sole, cod or herring are caught here.
As a curiosity, swimmer Natalia Avseenko dived into the cold waters of the White Sea to swim among Belugas.
If you want to read more articles similar to Why is the White Sea called like thisWe recommend that you enter our Nature Curiosities category.
