Abstract
The main hydrological peculiarities of the Aral Sea during the natural period of its life (before 1960) are discussed based on the multiyear data of in-situ observations and scientific publications. General information on the morphometry, hydrological and meteorological characteristics, water balance, sea level, and currents of the sea is provided. The main hydrological conditions of the sea: temperature and salinity distribution, convective mixing, and deep water formation are analyzed. The section on marine chemistry includes general information on the salinity, salt content and balance, dissolved oxygen, and nutrient concentration in the Aral Sea. Distinctive features that are specific to the Aral Sea as a special water body type – a lake-sea – are presented.
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Kosarev, A.N., Kostianoy, A.G. (2010). The Aral Sea Under Natural Conditions (Till 1960). In: Kostianoy, A., Kosarev, A. (eds) The Aral Sea Environment. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry(), vol 7. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2009_26
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/698_2009_26
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