The name Baidaratskaya Bay was given to one of the significant bays in the Kara Sea. The coast of the bay is mostly uninhabited, but this does not mean that the bay itself is of no interest. This interest is mainly associated with the transportation of gas from the Yamal Peninsula, where a number of large fields are located. To implement a gas pipeline project along the bottom of the bay, it is necessary to conduct a huge amount of research. This makes it possible to obtain important information about the flora, fauna, bottom topography and temperature regimes.
Where to look on the map
Baydaratskaya Bay cuts into the southwestern part of the Kara Sea. To be more precise, you need to look for it on the map between two peninsulas: Yugorsky and Yamal. This territory belongs to the Siberian part of Russia.
The coastline of the bay stretches for about 180 km. The entrance to the bay is about 78 km wide and about 20 m deep.
Many rivers flow into the bay. We are talking about Baidart, Yuribey, Kara and other water arteries.
A little about the Kara Sea
Since Baydaratskaya Bay is part of the Kara Sea, it is necessary to tell a little about it. The Kara Sea is part of the Siberian Arctic group. In addition to the Kara Sea, the group includes the Barents, Laptev, East Siberian and Chukchi Seas. The merger was carried out according to several criteria:
- The above group belongs to the Arctic Ocean and is marginal seas.
- In the group, all members are close in nature: they lie beyond the Arctic Circle.
- All these seas have borders in the southern part (the coast of Eurasia) and open communication with the ocean in the north.
- All the seas of this group lie almost entirely within the shelf.
- Presumably the entire group of seas has the same origin. They are geographically young and formed as a result of postglacial transgression.
The Kara Sea is rightfully considered one of the largest seas in Russia. Its area is more than 883 km², and its volume is almost 99 thousand km³. The average depth of the sea was approximately 110 m, and the point with the greatest depth was 596 m.
The Kara Sea has a winding coastline cut by large and small fjords. The largest bays are Baydaratskaya Bay and Obskaya Bay.
Water temperature
Since the Kara Sea is part of the Arctic Siberian group, it is not necessary to expect high water temperatures in Baydaratskaya Bay. On the surface, sea water warms up to a maximum of 6 ° C. Most of the year (from October toJune) the waters of Baidaratskaya Bay are ice-bound. Sometimes the ice breaks due to rising waves during storms in the open part of the Kara Sea. In addition, strong winds and tides can slightly affect ice movement.
Coastal part of the bay
Baydaratskaya Bay has a gentle coastal part. Typical tundra vegetation is observed here. In some places, the coast of the bay is swampy, since many rivers (about 70) flow into the bay. There are very few settlements on the bay. These are the village of Ust-Kara, the village of Yara, Ust-Yuribey and Morrasale. The initial communication passes by rail, it is about 30 km. The further overland route is possible only on a winter road. This is the name of the roads that can only be used at sub-zero temperatures.
Composition of the zoobenthos of the bay
Baydaratskaya Bay of the Kara Sea has been explored for many years. A zoobenthos was found here, consisting of nine representatives of invertebrates. These are protozoa, coelenterates, flatworms, primary cavities and annelids, mollusks, echinoderms, arthropods and tunicates.
The composition of benthic animals varies in areas of Baydaratskaya Bay with different depths. This includes groups of organisms valuable in terms of food. This is due to the presence of a large set of commercial fish that spawn, gain mass and winter in the coastal part of the bay. Omul, vendace, muksun, foxfish, smelt, navaga, one of the types of flounder and other fish are found here.
Bottom relief
The underwater coastline of Baydaratskaya Bay is a slope, actually an abrasion plain with a depth of 6 to 12 meters in different parts of the bay.
Beyond the underwater slope is a gently sloping plain covered with clay soils. It occupies the largest area of the bottom of the entire bay.
Not too deep erosion cuts were found in the bottom topography. These formations are associated with numerous river mouths. The largest incision is the Pravalley of the Ob River. In addition, there are erosional remnants - special elevations, which are fragments of subaerial reliefs.
Gas pipeline
Underwater gas pipelines are being laid along the bottom of Baydaratskaya Bay. This is necessary for the successful development of the field in Yamal. It is planned to build five branches. One of the largest projects is the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas pipeline, which will then join the Yamal-Europe gas pipeline. In addition, it is planned to transport gas along the Northern Sea Route on unique gas transport vessels with an Arc7 ice class.
Since numerous studies have been carried out and the suitability of the bottom of the Baydaratskaya Bay has been proven, the gas pipeline began to be laid in 2008. Construction is not yet fully completed. Part of the Bovanenkovo-Ukhta gas pipeline was put into operation in 2012.
Interesting fact
The largest meteorite crater in Russia was discovered on the shore of Baydaratskaya Bay. The diameter of the crater is 120 km. It is located on Yugorskypeninsula and is called the Kara crater.
