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Report on the Atlantic Ocean
Atlantic Ocean second by size ocean on our planet. The name probably originated from the legendary lost continent of Atlantis.
In the west it is limited by the shores of North and South America, in the east by the shores of Europe and Africa to Cape Agulhas.
The area of the Atlantic Ocean with its seas is 91.6 million km2, the average depth is 3332 m.
Maximum depth - 8742 m in the trench Puerto Rico.
The Atlantic Ocean is located in almost all climate zones except the Arctic, but its largest part lies in the areas of equatorial, subequatorial, tropical and subtropical climates.
A distinctive feature of the Atlantic Ocean is a small number of islands, as well as the complex bottom topography, which forms many pits and gutters.
Well expressed in the Atlantic Ocean currents, directed almost in the meridional direction. This is due to the large elongation of the ocean from north to south and the outlines of its coastline. The most famous warm current Gulf Stream and its continuation - North Atlantic flow.
Salinity of Atlantic Ocean waters generally higher than the average salinity of the waters of the World Ocean, and the organic world is poorer in terms of biodiversity compared to the Pacific Ocean.
The Atlantic is an important sea route connecting Europe and North America. The shelves of the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico are places of oil production.
Plants include a wide range of green, brown and red algae.
The total number of fish species exceeds 15 thousand, the most common families being nanothenia and white-blooded pike. Large mammals are most widely represented: cetaceans, seals, fur seals, etc. The amount of plankton is insignificant, which causes migration of whales to feeding fields to the north or to temperate latitudes, where there is more of it.
Almost half of the world's fish catch is caught in the seas of the Atlantic Ocean. Today, unfortunately, the stocks of Atlantic herring and cod, sea bass and other fish species have sharply decreased. Today the problem of preserving biological and mineral resources is particularly acute.
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The Atlantic Ocean is limited in the west by the shores of North and South America, in the east by the shores of Europe and Africa to Cape Agulhas. The northern border with the Arctic Ocean runs along the parallel of 70°N. sh., east of Cape Brewster to Iceland, further to the Faroe and Shetland Islands at 61 ° N. w. to the shores of Norway.
The ocean area is 91.6 million km2, the average depth is 3,600 m. In the Puerto Rico Trench, the depths of the Atlantic Ocean reach maximum values - 8,742 m. An important feature of the ocean is the presence of the Mediterranean seas (Mediterranean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea). Most of the islands in the Atlantic Ocean are of continental origin, but there are also volcanic and coral islands. The shelf occupies about 10% of the ocean floor area. The continental slope is steep, cut by underwater canyons (the largest is the Hudson). The relief of the Atlantic Ocean bed is dominated by underwater ridges, rises and basins. Almost in the middle of the ocean, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge stretches for 18,000 km. Its ridge is cut through by a system of rift valleys, and the spine itself is crossed by latitudinal faults.
Climate and water
The Atlantic Ocean lies in all climate zones except the subarctic, arctic and antarctic. Strong westerly winds prevail in temperate latitudes, and northeast and southeast trade winds prevail in subtropical and tropical latitudes. Winds of moderate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere (“roaring forties”) are strong. Tropical or West Indian hurricanes often sweep through northern latitudes.
Trade winds from tropical latitudes cause powerful North and South trade wind currents. The North Trade Wind Current bifurcates near the Lesser Antilles: the Antilles Current moves along the shores of the Greater Antilles; southern industry pours into the Caribbean; combined with the Guiana Current, it flows into the Gulf of Mexico, raising the water level there. This causes the formation of the Florida Current, merging with the Antilles Current to form the known Gulf Stream. The Northern Cyclonic Gyre consists of currents - the warm North Atlantic and Irminger and the cold Labrador.
Surface water temperatures vary from 26-28°C at the equator to 6-10°C at 60°N. w. and 0-1°C at 60°S. w. The salinity of water in the Atlantic Ocean ranges from 34 to 37 ‰.
A large amount of ice and icebergs are carried from the Arctic Ocean to the Atlantic. In the southern part of the ocean, ice and icebergs form off the coast of Antarctica.
The total number of fish species exceeds 15 thousand. In Antarctic waters, notothenia predominate among fish; benthic organisms and plankton are poor. In the tropics, bottom vegetation consists mainly of green and red algae. The most characteristic representatives of the tropical zone are siphonophores, jellyfish, crabs, flying fish, sharks, sea turtles, sperm whales, large cephalopods - squid, including bottom forms - octopuses. Mackerel, tuna, sardines, and anchovies are of industrial importance. Corals are common in tropical and subtropical regions. The deep-sea fauna is rich in crustaceans, echinoderms, and sponges.
Temperate latitudes are characterized by abundant life with a relatively small diversity of fauna. Copepods and pteropods, herring, cod and flounder fish, whales, pinnipeds, etc. are common here. Among the commercial fish, the most important are herring, cod, haddock, halibut, and sea bass. There are few seabirds. Frigates, albatrosses, penguins, etc. live off the coast of Antarctica.
Atlantic Ocean- the second largest ocean after the Pacific Ocean. It contains 25% of all the planet's water. The average depth is 3,600 m. The maximum is in the Puerto Rico trench - 8,742 m. The ocean area is 91 million square meters. km.
general information
The ocean arose as a result of the splitting of a supercontinent. Pangea"into two large parts, which subsequently formed into modern continents.
The Atlantic Ocean has been known to man since ancient times. Mentioning the ocean, which " called Atlantic“, can be found in records of the 3rd century. BC. The name probably arose from the legendary missing continent " Atlantis«.
True, it is not clear what territory it designated, because in ancient times people had limited means of transportation by sea.
Relief and islands
A distinctive feature of the Atlantic Ocean is the very small number of islands, as well as the complex bottom topography, which forms many pits and gutters. The deepest among them are the Puerto Rico and South Sandwich trench, whose depth exceeds 8 km.
Earthquakes and volcanoes have a great impact on the structure of the bottom; the greatest activity of tectonic processes is observed in the equatorial zone.
Volcanic activity in the ocean has been going on for 90 million years. The height of many underwater volcanoes exceeds 5 km. The largest and most famous are located in the Puerto Rico and South Sandwich trenches, as well as on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Climate
The large meridional extent of the ocean from north to south explains the diversity of climatic conditions on the ocean surface. In the equatorial zone there are slight temperature fluctuations throughout the year and an average of +27 degrees. The exchange of water with the Arctic Ocean also has a huge impact on ocean temperature. Tens of thousands of icebergs drift from the north into the Atlantic Ocean, reaching almost tropical waters.
The Gulf Stream, the largest current on the planet, originates off the southeastern coast of North America. Water consumption per day is 82 million cubic meters, which is 60 times higher than the consumption of all rivers. The width of the current reaches 75 km. wide and depth 700 m. Current speed ranges from 6-30 km/h. The Gulf Stream carries warm waters; the temperature of the upper layer of the current is 26 degrees.
In the area of The Newfoundland Gulf Stream meets the "cold wall" of the Labrador Current. The mixing of water creates ideal conditions for the proliferation of microorganisms in the upper layers. Best known in this regard Large Newfoundland barrel, which is a source of fishing for such fish as cod, herring and salmon.
Flora and fauna
The Atlantic Ocean is characterized by an abundance of biomass with a relatively poor species composition in the northern and southern margins. The greatest species diversity is observed in the equatorial zone.
Of the fish, the most common families are nanothenia and white-blooded pike. Large mammals are most widely represented: cetaceans, seals, fur seals, etc. The amount of plankton is insignificant, which causes migration of whales to feeding fields to the north or to temperate latitudes, where there is more of it.
Many places in the Atlantic Ocean have been and continue to be intensive fishing grounds. Previous development of the ocean led to the fact that hunting for mammals has been widespread here for a long time. This has reduced the numbers of some animal species compared to the Pacific and Indian Oceans. 
Plants include a wide range of green, brown and red algae. The famous Sargasso forms the Sargasso Sea, popular in books and interesting stories.
The Atlantic Ocean is the most studied and developed by people of all the oceans. According to one hypothesis, it got its name from the Titan Atlas (according to Greek mythology, holding the vault of heaven on his shoulders). At different times it was called differently: “The Sea beyond the Pillars of Hercules”, “Atlantic”, “Western Ocean”, “Sea of Darkness”, etc. The name "Atlantic Ocean" first appeared in 1507 on the Wald-Semüller map, and since then the name has been established in geography.
Geographical position of the ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest ocean on the planet. It covers an area of 92 million km. The Atlantic Ocean washes the shores of five continents.
The boundaries of the Atlantic Ocean are North America and Eurasia in the northern part, and South America, Africa and Antarctica in the southern part.
The Atlantic separates the Old World from the New.
The Atlantic Ocean is crossed by the equator and the prime meridian (see Fig. 1). Its length is 13 thousand km. The ocean is wide (maximum width - 6700 km) in the northern and southern parts, narrowing in equatorial latitudes to 2900 km. In the north it communicates with the Arctic Ocean, and in the south it is widely connected with the Pacific and Indian Oceans.
Rice. 1. Physical map of the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean is the second largest among the planet's oceans. The ocean coastline in the northern hemisphere is heavily dissected by numerous peninsulas and bays. There are many islands, internal and marginal seas near the continents. The Atlantic includes 13 seas, which occupy 11% of its area (see Fig. 2).
Remember the names of the largest ones.
Caribbean Sea – 1
Gulf of Mexico –2
Sargasso Sea – 3
Baltic Sea – 4
Bay of Biscay – 5
Mediterranean Sea – 6
Black Sea – 7
Gulf of Guinea – 8
Weddell Sea – 9
Rice. 2. Seas of the Atlantic Ocean
Relief of the Atlantic Ocean floor
The Atlantic Ocean is younger than the Pacific Ocean; it was formed in the Mesozoic era, after the collapse of the Gondwana continent. Its bottom is made up of areas of several lithospheric plates. In the center of the Atlantic Ocean, the huge Mid-Atlantic Ridge stretches from north to south, broken by many transverse faults.
The relative height of the ridge is about 2 km. Transverse faults divide it into separate segments. In the axial part of the ridge there is a giant rift valley ranging from 6 to 30 km wide and up to 2 km deep. Both underwater active volcanoes and the volcanoes of Iceland and the Azores are confined to the rift and faults of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. On both sides of the ridge there are basins with a relatively flat bottom, separated by elevated rises. The shelf area in the Atlantic Ocean is larger than in the Pacific.
It is here, in the central parts of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, that young earth's crust emerges from the depths of the mantle and gradually diverges to the east and west, slowly expanding the ocean. On the protrusion of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge is the island of Iceland - one of the most beautiful places on Earth (see Fig. 3).
Rice. 3. Iceland
In the eastern and western parts of the ocean there are vast oceanic trenches, and off the western coast there are two small deep-sea trenches - the deepest parts of the ocean (see Fig. 4).
Rice. 4. Relief of the Atlantic Ocean bottom
Atlantic Ocean Climate
The Atlantic Ocean is located in almost all climatic zones, except one (identify its name on the map). That's right, this is the Arctic climate zone.
The zoning of water masses in the ocean is complicated by the influence of land and sea currents. This is manifested primarily in the temperature distribution of surface waters. In many areas of the ocean, isotherms off the coast deviate sharply from the latitudinal direction.
The northern half of the ocean is warmer than the southern half, the temperature difference reaches 6°C. The average surface water temperature (16.5°C) is slightly lower than in the Pacific Ocean.
The cooling effect is exerted by the waters and ice of the Arctic and Antarctic. The salinity of surface waters in the Atlantic Ocean is high. One of the reasons for increased salinity is that a significant part of the moisture evaporating from the water area does not return to the ocean, but is transferred to neighboring continents (due to the relative narrowness of the ocean).
Many large rivers flow into the Atlantic Ocean and its seas: the Amazon, Congo, Mississippi, Nile, Danube, La Plata, etc. They carry huge masses of fresh water, suspended material and pollutants into the ocean. Ice forms in the desalinated bays and seas of subpolar and temperate latitudes in winter off the western shores of the ocean. Numerous icebergs and floating sea ice are disrupting shipping in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Trade winds blow in subtropical and tropical latitudes, but the Western Transport winds have much greater strength and fury in the Atlantic. They are especially strong in the temperate latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere.
In the western part of the Atlantic, severe storms and hurricanes regularly arise, unleashing their fury on the coast. There are 10-20 of them per season. Weather news reports sometimes resemble military reports.
Atlantic Ocean Currents
Prevailing winds shape the main currents in the oceans. But the Atlantic Ocean is strongly elongated from north to south, and therefore its main currents extend along the ocean - in the meridional direction (see Fig. 5).
In the Atlantic, as in the Pacific, two rings of surface currents form.
Follow the atlas maps and learn to easily find the following Atlantic Ocean currents.
In the northern hemisphere, the Northern Trade Wind Current, Gulf Stream, North Atlantic and Canary Currents form a clockwise movement of water.
In the southern hemisphere, the South Trade Wind, the Brazilian Current, the West Wind Current and the Benguela Current form the movement of water counterclockwise.
Due to the considerable extent of the Atlantic Ocean from north to south, meridional water flows are more developed in it than latitudinal ones.
Rice. 5. Map of Atlantic Ocean currents
Organic World of the Atlantic
The Atlantic Ocean is poorer in flora and fauna species than the Pacific Ocean. One of the reasons for this is its relative geological youth and noticeable cooling in the Quaternary period during the glaciation of the northern hemisphere.
However, in quantitative terms, the ocean is rich in organisms - it is the most productive per unit area.
This is primarily due to the widespread development of shelves and shallow banks, which are home to many bottom and bottom fish (cod, flounder, perch, etc.).
Development of the Atlantic Ocean
The Atlantic Ocean has been explored by people since ancient times. And now it plays a huge role in the life of mankind: a dense network of the most important transport routes connecting Europe with America and the countries of the Persian Gulf stretches through it.
Oil is extracted on the shelf of the North Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, and reserves of iron-manganese nodules have been discovered in the southern part of the ocean.
The Atlantic Ocean is home to the world's main fishing grounds and most popular resorts.
The biological resources of the ocean have been intensively used for a long time. However, due to overfishing of a number of valuable commercial fish species, in recent years the Atlantic is inferior to the Pacific Ocean in the production of fish and seafood.
Intensive human economic activity in the Atlantic Ocean and its seas causes a noticeable deterioration of the natural environment - both in the ocean (water and air pollution, reduction in stocks of commercial fish species) and on the coasts.
In order to prevent further and reduce existing pollution of the natural environment of the Atlantic Ocean, scientific recommendations are being developed and international agreements are being concluded on the rational use of ocean resources.
Bibliography
MainI
1. Geography. Land and people. 7th grade: Textbook for general education. uch. / A.P. Kuznetsov, L.E. Savelyeva, V.P. Dronov, series “Spheres”. – M.: Education, 2011.
2. Geography. Land and people. 7th grade: atlas, “Spheres” series.
Additional
1. N.A. Maksimov. Behind the pages of a geography textbook. – M.: Enlightenment.
2. Russian Geographical Society ().
3. Textbook on geography ().
4. Gazetteer ().
The ocean arose as a result of the split of the supercontinent "Pangaea" into two large parts, which subsequently formed the modern continents.
The Atlantic Ocean has been known to man since ancient times. Mention of the ocean, which is called the Atlantic, can be found in records of the 3rd century. BC. The name probably originated from the legendary lost continent of Atlantis. True, it is not clear what territory it designated, because in ancient times people had limited means of transportation by sea.
Relief and islands
A distinctive feature of the Atlantic Ocean is the very small number of islands, as well as the complex bottom topography, which forms many pits and gutters. The deepest among them are the Puerto Rico and South Sandwich trench, whose depth exceeds 8 km.
Earthquakes and volcanoes have a great impact on the structure of the bottom; the greatest activity of tectonic processes is observed in the equatorial zone. Volcanic activity in the ocean has been going on for 90 million years. The height of many underwater volcanoes exceeds 5 km. The largest and most famous are located in the Puerto Rico and South Sandwich trenches, as well as on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.
Climate
The large meridional extent of the ocean from north to south explains the diversity of climatic conditions on the ocean surface. In the equatorial zone there are slight temperature fluctuations throughout the year and the average temperature is +27 degrees. The exchange of water with the Arctic Ocean also has a huge impact on ocean temperature. Tens of thousands of icebergs drift from the north into the Atlantic Ocean, reaching almost tropical waters.
The Gulf Stream, the largest current on the planet, originates off the southeastern coast of North America. Water consumption per day is 82 million cubic meters. m., which is 60 times the flow of all rivers. The width of the current reaches 75 km. wide and depth 700 m. Current speed ranges from 6-30 km/h. The Gulf Stream carries warm waters; the temperature of the upper layer of the current is 26 degrees.
