The Arctic is not just a place on the map, but a real center for studying natural processes. Here, in the vastness of the Arctic Ocean, washing the coastal waters of Russia, there are seas that play a key role in the global climate and ecosystems of our planet. These seas are a kind of storages of natural resources, food sources for many species of animals and important elements of the climate system.
But the Arctic is not only a habitat for terrestrial and marine mammals, but also for many other organisms. This is a vast region that actively influences the climate of the entire Earth. The processes occurring in these cold waters negatively affect permafrost, regulate air mass flows, and even have an impact on agriculture in other regions.
Arctic seas of Russia
The Barents Sea is a marine basin between the Kola Peninsula, the islands of Franz Josef Land and Novaya Zemlya. The sea is quite warm due to the influence of the North Atlantic current. It brings warm waters from the south, so the climate here is much milder than in other seas of the Russian Arctic. Therefore, the Barents Sea is one of the most “hospitable” seas, where hundreds of species of fish and other marine creatures are found.
The Barents Sea attracts attention due to its mild climate. This affects the vegetation and fauna of the region, creating conditions for the appearance of rare species of fish and aquatic plants. The Barents Sea is distinguished not only by its milder climate, but also by its high salinity, which makes it a hub for the migration of various fish species.
The White Sea is characterized by low salinity due to the relatively large river flow. The ecosystem of the White Sea differs significantly from the ecosystem of the coastal zone of the Barents Sea, having significant similarities with the Arctic ecosystems of the seas of the Siberian shelf. This similarity is determined by the significant role of the ice sheet in the seasonal processes of organic matter production and consumption.
We are facing tougher conditions in the Kara Sea. This sea is located between the Kola Peninsula and the Yamal Peninsula. You should not expect warm water from the Kara Sea — this place is famous for its harsh climate and ice sheets. In summer, when the temperature drops, the Kara Sea may seem almost completely covered with ice, which complicates its development.
If the Kara Sea is harsh and harsh, then the Laptev Sea is even more extreme. This sea, located between the Yamal Peninsula and the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago, is almost a real ice wasteland, with extensive shelf zones and a huge amount of fresh water coming from the rivers of Siberia.
The sea expanses of the East Siberian Sea are the next step to the east. The sea washes the territory between the Severnaya Zemlya archipelago and the Chukchi Peninsula. This is one of the deepest and most difficult seas in the Arctic, where unusual ice conditions can be observed. The waters here are full of cold currents, and ice creates barriers to navigation and fishing.
Finally, the Chukchi Sea is the last section of the Arctic waterway that washes the Chukchi Peninsula and the coast of Alaska. This sea is interesting not only for its biological diversity, but also for its role in the migration of many species of animals. The most important routes for marine mammals and birds pass through here.
The Kara, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi seas are not as “hospitable” as the Barents Sea. Their waters are rich in minerals, but due to the temperature and ice cover, life in these seas is complicated. However, they are home to many unique organisms. Even extreme conditions give such species as the polar bear, walrus, ringed seal, and many species of seabirds a chance to survive.
The Bering Sea is a sea in the North Pacific Ocean, located between Alaska and Chukotka. It is one of the coldest and stormiest seas in the world. The Bering Sea is rich in diverse fish species and serves as a breeding ground for many species of marine life, including whales, walruses, and seals. In general, the Bering Sea participates in the formation of the planet’s climate and has unique ecosystems that play a significant role in the life of organisms.
Threats to the ecosystems of the Arctic seas
The ecosystems of the Arctic seas are a real “dance” of life taking place on the border of ice and water. There is not much warmth here, but there is so much cold beauty that even in the most cruel conditions, nature manages to flourish. The water temperature, of course, is always low, but summer brings with it a surge of vital activity. Phytoplankton and zooplankton become the main fuel of this ecosystem, providing energy for all others.
Small algae, such as phytoplankton, begin to grow rapidly every spring, in fact, giving rise to the entire life cycle of the Arctic seas. They are nourished not only by sunlight, but also by the abundant nutrients coming from rivers and rising from the bottom of the seas. It is on these microscopic organisms that the entire food process is based.
An interesting detail: despite its modest size, phytoplankton in the Arctic plays the role of the main food source for many species, from small fish to giant whales. Small crustaceans also form an essential part of this oceanic diet. And so, layer by layer, from the smallest organisms we come to the largest — marine mammals.
It’s no secret that Arctic ecosystems are suffering greatly from global warming. Where ice and cold reigned until recently, new species are increasingly appearing that are not accustomed to such conditions. The warming of the water in the Barents Sea, for example, leads to the emergence of thermophilic fish species. And if this is good for fishermen and aquaculture, then for the local flora and fauna, such changes are like an unexpected invasion.
It’s not just the temperature that changes. As the area of sea ice decreases, new conditions for animal migration appear. The same sea eel, which used to live only in the southern part of the Barents Sea, has now moved further north. This has led to unpredictable consequences in ecosystems: some species, such as seabirds, are beginning to decline, while others, such as salmon and cod, are expanding their ranges.
But it should be understood that these changes are not always positive. Warming can change the delicate balance of an ecosystem, causing a decline in the number of some species and a sharp increase in others, which disrupts the biological diversity of the region. Unfortunately, environmental problems are also creeping up. And the problems with pollution that have arisen are just flowers, and the berries will be ahead.
Oil pollution is very dangerous. Who would have thought that oil would be so popular in the most remote corners of the earth. The indicators of oil pollution in the Barents, Kara and Laptev seas are off the charts. A large amount of petroleum products is annually transported to these seas through rivers. Moreover, in some places, the concentration of pollutants is much higher than normal.
Noise pollution is no less dangerous. That’s exactly what the Arctic seas don’t need. The impact of noise from shipping and oil and gas production not only breaks the silence, but also becomes a real disaster for animals. After all, how can you hear other marine life in these conditions? Noise disrupts their communication, affects migration, and can even cause the death of some species.
With an increase in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, an important effect arises — an increase in the acidity of the ocean. And here there is already a direct blow to marine life: shellfish, corals and other organisms suffer from changes in the acidity of the water. This hinders their ability to build their shells and protective shells. And without them, life is not pleasant.
The Arctic is home to some of the most vulnerable ecosystems in the world, suffers from insufficient protection, and countries adjacent to the region have little involvement in combating these threats.
However, there are positive steps against this background. Every year, the general attention to the problems of the Arctic environment is growing, and this gives hope that the consequences of global changes can be minimized.
Prospects for ecosystem conservation
The Arctic seas, with their unique ecosystems and rich biodiversity, are one of the most important natural resources on the planet. But the trouble is, as soon as we begin to realize the value of this region, we find ourselves in a situation where climate change, pollution and anthropogenic pressure threaten its future. How can we preserve these fragile ecosystems without losing the chance to improve the situation?
The most important thing that can and should be done to preserve the Arctic seas is to regularly examine their condition. Timely detection of changes will help to quickly take measures aimed at correcting them, such as reducing the area of sea ice or increasing the level of acidity of ocean waters. All this will help us understand which species of animals and plants are under threat, and what measures need to be taken to protect them.
Yes, we have unique resources in Russia, but the Arctic is not only a Russian, but also an international resource. And if we want to preserve this natural treasure trove for future generations, we need to work not only within one country, but also in the international arena. There are already a number of agreements aimed at protecting Arctic ecosystems.
We must not forget about the need for joint scientific expeditions, for example, to monitor sea ice or study the migration of marine mammals. Russia actively participates in such projects, conducting not only scientific research, but also actively promoting initiatives at the international level.
By the way, we also play an important role in what is happening with the Arctic seas. All these pollutants from petroleum products, plastic waste and carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere do not leave a trace for ecosystems. No matter how much we want to “turn a blind eye” to global problems, we ourselves have serious work to do to reduce the anthropogenic load.
First of all, it is necessary to introduce and use environmentally friendly technologies at enterprises located in the Arctic. This is especially important for large mining and energy companies. The task is not only to protect the ecosystem from pollution, but also to create technologies that will help minimize the negative impact on nature.
Russia certainly plays a key role in protecting the Arctic seas. After all, it accounts for about 50% of the Arctic territory, including its water and ice resources. It is also on the territory of Russia that many strategically important facilities and ports related to the extraction of natural resources are located, which, unfortunately, often entails serious environmental risks.
But Russia does not stay away from the problems and is actively working to create environmentally friendly projects. In recent years, investments have been increasing in the development of new technologies that will minimize the damage caused by mining. In addition, Russia actively participates in international agreements and initiatives to protect the Arctic.
The Arctic seas are not just a geographical feature, they are a real natural wealth that plays a crucial role in maintaining the global climate and biodiversity. And if we don’t take action to preserve them, we will not only lose our unique ecosystems, but we may also face even greater consequences for our planet.
