The northernmost of the Arctic seas is the Lincoln Sea. Its entire territory is located north of latitude 80 degrees north. There are no obstacles between this sea and the Arctic Ocean, so they communicate freely. Straits unite it with the Baffin Sea. The reservoir covers an area of about 38 thousand km. km. Its average depth is 289 m, and the limit value is 582 m. The Lincoln Sea map shows highly indented shores. The bottom relief is significantly dissected. There are many reefs in the water area. The steep continental slope forms scarps in some places. The waters of the sea wash the northern coast of Ellesmere and Greenland. He first explored it in 1881-1884. Adolph Greeley, naming the sea after Lincoln.
Climatic conditions
High arctic latitudes determine the cold weather in the Lincoln Sea region. It is dominated by a continental harsh climate with low air temperatures throughout the year. Above the sea, there is slight cloudiness, high air humidity and strong winds. The surface layers of water have a stable temperature, which in winter approaches -1.8 degrees. In the summer months, the water warms up poorly, its temperature is - 1 degree. The water near the shores is slightly warmer. The salinity of the water is the same in almost the entire water area and amounts to 31.5 ppm. In summer, the ice begins to melt, making the surface layer more fresh. Therefore, the water on the surface of the reservoir has a salinity of about 32 ppm, and near the bottom - at least 34 ppm.
Ice is observed in the Lincoln Sea all year round. It is thinned out only in summer, exposing insignificant bodies of water. The wind over the sea has an average monthly speed of about 5 m / s. Very often storms occur here with a maximum wind speed of 40 m / s. The Lincoln Sea is one of the most Arctic waters in the Arctic. It receives ice from the Arctic basin. They drift along the northern coast of Greenland, following south. Many ice floes are 15 m thick.
The natural world of the Lincoln Sea
The inhabitants of the cold reservoir are seals, walruses, beluga whales, narwhals, ducks, etc. The fish world is represented by cod, capelin, striped catfish, flounder, herring. The coast of the Lincoln Sea is an endless polar desert. There are such animals as polar bear, reindeer, hare, ermine. The coastal cliffs are home to northern birds.
