Ecological problems of the Russian Plain. Problems of rational use of resources of the Russian Plain

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one of the largest plains on our planet (the second largest after the Amazonian plain in Western America). It is located in the eastern part of Europe. Since most of it is within the borders of the Russian Federation, the East European Plain is sometimes called Russian. In the northwestern part it is limited by the mountains of Scandinavia, in the southwestern part by the Sudetenland and other mountains of central Europe, in the southeastern part by the Caucasus, and in the east by the Urals. From the north, the Russian Plain is washed by the waters of the White and Barents Seas, and from the south by the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.

The length of the plain from north to south is more than 2.5 thousand kilometers, and from west to east - 1 thousand kilometers. Almost the entire length of the East European Plain is dominated by a gently sloping plain relief. Most of the population of Russia and most of the country's large cities are concentrated within the territory of the East European Plain. It was here that the Russian state was formed many centuries ago, which later became the largest country in the world in terms of its territory. A significant part of Russia's natural resources is also concentrated here.

The East European Plain almost completely coincides with the East European Platform. This circumstance explains its flat relief, as well as the absence of significant natural phenomena associated with the movement of the earth's crust (earthquakes, volcanic eruptions). Small hilly areas within the East European Plain resulted from faults and other complex tectonic processes. The height of some hills and plateaus reaches 600-1000 meters. In ancient times, the Baltic Shield of the East European Platform was at the center of glaciation, as evidenced by some forms of glacial relief.

On the territory of the Russian Plain, platform deposits occur almost horizontally, making up lowlands and uplands that form the surface topography. Where the folded foundation protrudes to the surface, uplands and ridges are formed (for example, the Central Russian Upland and the Timan Ridge). On average, the height of the Russian Plain is about 170 meters above sea level. The lowest areas are on the Caspian coast (its level is about 30 meters below the level of the World Ocean).

Glaciation left its mark on the formation of the relief of the East European Plain. This effect was most pronounced in the northern part of the plain. As a result of the passage of the glacier through this territory, many lakes arose (Chudskoye, Pskovskoye, Beloe and others). These are the consequences of one of the most recent glaciers. In the southern, southeastern and eastern parts, which were subjected to glaciation in an earlier period, their consequences are smoothed out by erosion processes. As a result, a number of uplands (Smolensk-Moscow, Borisoglebskaya, Danilevskaya and others) and lacustrine-glacial lowlands (Caspian, Pechora) were formed.

Further south is a zone of uplands and lowlands, elongated in the meridional direction. Among the hills, one can note the Azov, Central Russian, Volga. Here they also alternate with the plains: Meshcherskaya, Oka-Donskaya, Ulyanovsk and others.

Further south are the coastal lowlands, which in ancient times were partially submerged under sea level. The plain relief here was partially corrected by water erosion and other processes, as a result of which the Black Sea and Caspian lowlands were formed.

As a result of the passage of the glacier through the territory of the East European Plain, valleys formed, tectonic depressions expanded, and even some rocks were polished. Another example of the impact of a glacier is the winding deep bays of the Kola Peninsula. With the retreat of the glacier, not only lakes were formed, but concave sandy lowlands also arose. This happened as a result of the deposition of a large amount of sandy material. Thus, over the course of many millennia, the many-sided relief of the East European Plain was formed.

Some of the rivers flowing through the territory of the East European Plain belong to the basins of two oceans: the Arctic (Northern Dvina, Pechora) and Atlantic (Neva, Western Dvina), while others flow into the Caspian Sea, which has no connection with the world ocean. The longest and most abundant river in Europe, the Volga, flows along the Russian Plain.

On the East European Plain, there are practically all types of natural zones available on the territory of Russia. Off the coast of the Barents Sea, tundra prevails in the subtropical zone. To the south, in the temperate zone, a strip of forests begins, which stretches from Polissya to the Urals. It includes both coniferous taiga and mixed forests, which gradually become deciduous in the west. To the south, the transition zone of the forest-steppe begins, and beyond it the steppe zone. On the territory of the Caspian lowland, a small strip of deserts and semi-deserts begins.

As mentioned above, on the territory of the Russian Plain there are no such natural phenomena as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Although some tremors (up to 3 points) are still possible, they cannot cause damage, and are recorded only by highly sensitive devices. The most dangerous natural phenomena that can occur on the territory of the Russian Plain are tornadoes and floods. The main environmental problem is the pollution of soil, rivers, lakes and the atmosphere by industrial waste, since many industrial enterprises are concentrated in this part of Russia.

According to the materials of the big encyclopedia of Russia

The East European or Russian Plain is one of the largest in the world: from north to south it stretches for 2.5 thousand km; from west to east - 1 thousand km. In size, the Russian Plain is second only to the Amazonian Plain, located in Western America.

East European Plain - location

From the name it is clear that the plain is located in the East of Europe, and most of it extends into the territory of Russia. In the northwest, the Russian Plain runs through the Scandinavian mountains; in the southwest - along the Sudetes and other European mountain ranges; from the West, the border is the river. Vistula; on the southeastern side, the border is the Caucasus; in the East - the Urals. In the North, the plain is washed by the White and Barents Seas; in the South - the waters of the Black, Azov and Caspian Seas.

East European Plain - relief

The main type of relief is gently sloping. Large cities and, accordingly, the bulk of the population of the Russian Federation are concentrated on the territory of the East European Plain. The Russian state was born on these lands. Minerals and other valuable natural resources are also located within the Russian Plain. The outlines of the Russian Plain practically repeat the outlines of the East European Platform. Due to this advantageous location, there is no seismic hazard and the likelihood of earthquakes. On the territory of the plain there are also hilly areas that appeared as a result of various tectonic processes. There are elevations up to 1000 m.

In ancient times, the Baltic Shield of the platform was located in the center of the glaciation. As a result, there is a glacial relief on the surface.

The terrain is made up of lowlands, as well as hills, because. platform deposits are located almost horizontally.

Ridges (Timansky) and uplands (Central Russian) were formed in the places of protrusions of the folded basement.
The height of the plain above sea level is approximately 170 m. The lowest areas are located on the coast of the Caspian Sea.

East European Plain - Glacier Influence

Glaciation processes significantly affected the relief of the Russian Plain, especially in its northern part. A glacier passed through this territory, as a result of which the famous lakes were formed: Chudskoye, Beloe, Pskovskoye.
Previously, glaciation affected the relief of the southeast of the plain, but its effects disappeared due to erosion. Uplands were formed: Smolensk-Moscow, Borisoglebskaya, etc., as well as lowlands: Pechora and Caspian.

In the south there are uplands (Priazovskaya, Privolzhskaya, Central Russian) and lowlands (Ulyanovskaya, Meshcherskaya).
Further to the South are the Black Sea and Caspian lowlands.

The glacier contributed to the formation of valleys, the increase in tectonic depressions, the grinding of rocks, the formation of ornate bays on the Kola Peninsula.

East European Plain - water arteries

The rivers of the East European Plain belong to the basins of the Arctic and Atlantic oceans, the rest flow into the Caspian Sea and have no connection with the ocean.

The longest and deepest river in Europe, the Volga, flows through the territory of the Russian Plain.

East European Plain - natural areas, flora and fauna

Almost all natural zones of Russia are represented on the plain.

• Off the coast of the Barents Sea, in the subtropical zone, tundra is concentrated.
• On the territory of the temperate zone, south of Polissya and up to the Urals, coniferous and mixed forests stretch, giving way to deciduous forests in the West.
• The south is dominated by forest-steppe with a gradual transition to the steppe.
• In the region of the Caspian lowland there is a strip of deserts and semi-deserts.
• Arctic, forest and steppe animals live on the lands of the Russian Plain.

The most dangerous natural phenomena that occur on the territory of the Russian Plain include floods and tornadoes. The problem of ecology due to human activity is acute.

The Russian Plain is otherwise called the East European Plain. This is its physical and geographical name. The total area of ​​this land area is 4 million km2. Larger is only the Amazonian lowland.

The East European Plain occupies a significant part of the territory of Russia. It starts off the coast of the Baltic Sea and ends near the Ural Mountains. From the north and from the south, the plain is immediately limited by 2 seas. In the first case, these are the Barents and White Seas, in the second, the Caspian and Azov. From different sides the plain is limited by mountain ranges. The situation is this:

• Northwestern border - Scandinavian mountains;
• Western and southwestern borders - the mountains of Central Europe and the Carpathians;
• Southern border - the Caucasus Mountains;
• The eastern border is the Ural Mountains.

In addition, Crimea is located on the territory of the Russian Plain. In this case, the northern one from the foothills of the Crimean Mountains acts as a border.

Scientists attributed the East European Plain to the rank of physiographic countries due to the fact that it is characterized by the following features:

1. Placement on one of the plates of the platform of the same name, which, unlike the others, is slightly elevated;
2. Being in a temperate climate zone, as well as a small amount of precipitation. This is a consequence of the influence of two oceans, the first of which is the Atlantic, the second is the Arctic;
3. The presence of a clear natural zonality, which is explained by the flatness of the relief.

The described plain is divided into two other plains, namely:

1. Socle-denudation, occupying the Baltic crystalline shield;
2. East European, located on two plates at once: Scythian and Russian.

The crystalline shield has a unique relief. It was formed during a continental denudation that lasted more than one thousand years. Certain features were obtained by relief as a result of tectonic movements that occurred in recent times. As for the past, in the Quaternary period, the center of the glacier was located on the site of the modern Baltic crystalline shield. It is for this reason that the local relief is glacial.

Platform deposits, which are part of the Russian Plain, are a kind of cover that is in a horizontal position. Thanks to them, the formation of two types of uplands and lowlands occurred. The first of them are reservoir-denudation, and the second are accumulative. In some areas of the plain there are ledges of a folded basement. They are represented by socle-denudation hills and ridges: Donetsk, Timan, etc.

If we take into account the average indicator, then the height of the East European Plain above sea level is 170 meters. This indicator is the lowest on the coast of the Caspian Sea, and the highest - on the hills. For example, the Podolsk Upland is located 417 meters above sea level.

Settlement of the East European Plain

Some scientists are of the opinion that Eastern Europe was inhabited by Slavs, but some researchers are convinced of the opposite. It is known for certain that about 30 thousand years BC Cro-Magnons settled on the Russian Plain. Outwardly, they slightly resembled Caucasians, and over time they became similar to modern people. The process of adaptation of the Cro-Magnons proceeded in the conditions of the glacier. In the 10th millennium BC, the climate became milder, so the descendants of the Cro-Magnons, called Indo-Europeans, began to explore the territories located in the southeast of modern Europe. Where they were before is unknown, but there is reliable evidence that the settlement of this territory by the Indo-Europeans occurred 6 thousand years before our era.

The first Slavs appeared on European territory much later than the Indo-Europeans. Historians claim that their active resettlement falls on the 5th-6th centuries AD. For example, the Balkan Peninsula and the territories adjacent to it were occupied by the southern Slavs. Western Slavs moved in a direction from north to west. Many of them became the ancestors of modern Germans and Poles. Some settled on the coast of the Baltic Sea, while others settled in the Czech Republic. At the same time, serious changes took place in primitive society. In particular, the community became obsolete, the tribal hierarchy faded into the background, and associations began to replace them, which became the first states.

The Slavs, without apparent difficulties, settled the eastern lands of a large territory called Europe. At first, their relations with each other were based on the primitive communal system, and then on the tribal system. The number of settlers was small, so their tribes did not lack free lands.

In the process of settlement, the assimilation of the Slavs with representatives of the Finno-Ugric tribes took place. Their tribal unions are considered the first similarities of states. In parallel with this, the climate of Europe became warmer. This led to the development of agriculture and cattle breeding, but at the same time, fishing and hunting continued to play an important role in the economic activities of primitive people.

A favorable combination of circumstances for the colonists explains that the Eastern Slavs became the largest group of peoples, including Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians. If in the early Middle Ages the settlement of the Slavs only originates, but in the VIII century its "flourishing" falls. Simply put, it was at this time that the Slavic tribes were able to take a dominant position. Their neighbors were representatives of other nations. This has its pros and cons.

Speaking about the settlement of the Slavs, it should be noted that the main feature of this historical process is unevenness. First, the territories that were located near the route “from the Varangians to the Greeks” were mastered, and only then the eastern, western and southwestern lands were colonized.

The settlement of the Slavs on the territory of the Russian Plain has a number of features. Among them it is necessary to highlight:

1. Significant influence of climate on the duration of colonization;
2. Dependence of population density on natural and climatic conditions. This means that the southern territories were more densely populated than the northern ones;
3. Absence of military conflicts caused by lack of land;
4. Imposing tribute on other peoples;
5. Complete assimilation of representatives of small tribes.

After the Slavic tribes occupied the East European Plain, they began to develop new types of economic activity, made adjustments to the existing social system and created the prerequisites for the creation of the first states.

Modern exploration of the East European Plain

Many well-known scientists were engaged in the study of the East European Plain. In particular, a huge contribution to the development of science was made by the mineralogist V.M. Severgin.

In the early spring of 1803, Severgin was studying the Baltic. While conducting research, he noticed that in the south-western direction from Lake Peipus, the relief becomes more hilly. Subsequently, Vasily Mikhailovich made a multi-stage transition. First, he went from the Gauja River to the Neman, and then to the Bug. This allowed him to establish that the area is either hilly or elevated. Realizing that such an alternation is a regularity, Severgin accurately determined its direction, going from the southwest to the northeast.

The territory of Polissya was studied by scientists no less closely. In particular, numerous studies began after the lands on the right bank of the Dnieper “opened up”, which led to a decrease in the number of meadows. So, in 1873 the Western Expedition was organized. A group of scientists led by topographer I.I. Zhilinsky planned to study the features of local swamps and determine the best ways to drain them. Over time, the expedition members were able to map Polissya, studied the land with a total area of ​​more than 100 thousand km2 and measured about 600 heights. The information received by Zhilinsky allowed A.A. Tillo to continue the undertakings of a colleague. This led to the appearance of the hypsometric map. It served as a clear proof that Polissya is a plain with raised borders. In addition, it was found that the region is rich in rivers and lakes. There are about 500 of the first here, and 300 of the second. The total length of both of them exceeds 9 thousand kilometers.

Later, G.I. Tanfiliev. He established that the destruction of the swamps would not cause the shallowing of the Dnieper. P.A. also came to the same conclusion. Tutkovsky. The same scientist finalized the map created by Tillo by adding several hills to it, among which the Ovruch ridge should be highlighted.

E.P. Kovalevsky, being an engineer at one of the factories in Luhansk, devoted himself to the study of the Donetsk Ridge. He conducted a lot of research and determined that the ridge is a pool of enormous size. Later, Kovalevsky was recognized as the discoverer of Donbass, because. it was he who created his first geological map and suggested that the region is rich in minerals.

In 1840, the famous geologist R. Murchison came to Russia. Together with domestic scientists, he explored the coast of the White Sea. As a result of the work carried out, many rivers and hills were studied, which were then mapped.

The study of the southern part of the Russian Plain was carried out by V.V. Dokuchaev, who was later recognized as the "father" of domestic soil science. This scientist found that a part of Eastern Europe is occupied by a unique zone, which is a mixture of black soil and steppe. In addition, in 1900, Dokuchaev compiled a map on which he divided the plain into 5 natural zones.

Over time, the interest of scientists in the East European Plain has not weakened. This led to the organization of many expeditions and various studies. Both those and others made it possible to make many scientific discoveries, as well as create new maps.

The East European Plain is part of the East European Platform. This is an ancient and stable block, bordering on the east, the platform is framed by the Urals. The tectonic structure of the East European Plain is such that in the south it is adjacent to the Mediterranean folded belt and the Scythian plate, which occupies the space of Ciscaucasia and Crimea. The border with it runs from the mouth of the Danube, along the Black and Azov Seas.

Tectonics

Older and harder Permian and Carboniferous limestones come to the surface on the banks of the Samarskaya Luka. Strong sandstones should also be distinguished among the deposits. The crystalline foundation of the Volga Upland is lowered to a great depth (about 800 meters).

The closer to the Oka-Don lowland, the more the surface decreases. The Volga slopes are steep and dissected by numerous ravines and gullies. Because of this, a very rugged terrain has formed here.

and the Oka-Don lowland

The common Syrt is another important component of the relief that distinguishes the East European Plain. Photos of this region on the border of Russia and Kazakhstan show an area of ​​​​chernozem, chestnut soils and solonchaks, prevailing on watersheds and in river valleys. The common Syrt begins in the Trans-Volga region and extends 500 kilometers to the east. It is mainly located in the interfluve of the Big Irgiz and the Small Irgiz, adjoining the Southern Urals in the east.

Between the Volga and Central Russian uplands is the Oka-Don lowland. Its northern part is also known as Meshchera. The northern boundary of the lowland is the Oka. In the south, its natural boundary is the Kalach Upland. An important part of the lowland is the Oksko-Tsninsky shaft. It stretches through Morshansk, Kasimov and Kovrov. In the north, the surface of the Oka-Don lowland was formed from glacial deposits, and in the south, its basis is sands.

Valdai and Northern Uvaly

The vast East European Plain lies between the Atlantic and Arctic oceans. The basins of the rivers flowing into them begin at its highest point - 346 meters. Valdai is located in the Smolensk, Tver and Novgorod regions. It is characterized by hilly, ridge and moraine relief. There are many swamps and lakes (including Seliger and Upper Volga lakes).

The northernmost part of the East European Plain is the Northern Ridges. They occupy the territory of the Komi Republic, Kostroma, Kirov and Vologda regions. The upland, consisting of hills, gradually decreases in a northerly direction until it rests on the White and Barents Seas. Its maximum height is 293 meters. Northern Uvaly is the watershed of the Northern Dvina and Volga basins.

Black Sea lowland

In the southwest, the East European Plain ends with the Black Sea Lowland, located on the territory of Ukraine and Moldova. On the one hand, it is limited by the Danube Delta, and on the other, by the Kalminus River of Azov. The Black Sea lowland consists of Neogene and Paleogene deposits (clays, sands and limestones). They are covered with loams and loess.

The lowland is crossed by the valleys of several rivers: the Dniester, the Southern Bug and the Dnieper. Their banks are characterized by steepness and frequent landslides. There are many estuaries on the sea coast (Dniester, Dnieper, etc.). Another recognizable feature is the abundance of sandbars. The steppe landscape with dark chestnut and chernozem soils prevails in the Black Sea Lowland. This is the richest agricultural granary.

Many rivers flow through the East European Plain.

The largest of them is the Volga. It flows into the Caspian Sea.

Another very large Russian river, the Dnieper, flows into the Black Sea, and the Don flows into the Sea of ​​Azov.

Yellow paint on the physical map of Russia marks the Valdai hill. Among its hills there are many lakes and swamps. On one of the swamps, near the village of Volgino-Verkhovye, there is a small wooden building. Inside it is a well about a meter deep. From its viscous bottom, a strong spring beats, which is considered the source of the Volga.

At first, the Volga flows in a barely noticeable stream. Gradually the Volga becomes wider and wider. Passenger ships and cargo ships - barges - go along it.

It's good to sail on a boat along the Volga on a fine summer day! How majestically and calmly it flows! How beautiful are the shores bathed in bright sunshine! Everywhere, wherever you look, endless fields stretch, ripening ears sway under a light breeze, shady forests rustle, meadows covered with lush grass turn green.

This goes on for a day, and two, and three... But as soon as the river turns to the south, everything around changes.

After the city of Samara, on the right bank you can still see forests in some places, but on the left you rarely see even a lonely tree.

When Volgograd is left behind, the dull steppe, scorched by the sun, overgrown with brown, withered grass, stretches endlessly along both banks. The earth cracked from the scorching heat. It rarely rains here.

Since the spring, when the snow melts, there is still enough water. But as soon as summer sets in, the rivers begin to dry up one after another, the ponds become shallow. Plants cannot live without water.

Even further south, closer to Astrakhan, you will not see even a piece of open mail. On both banks, wherever you look, there is only sand and clay. Only unpretentious sheep manage to look for stunted bushes of yellow waste among the sandy hills.

And along these lands weary of heat and thirst, the Volga lazily and slowly flows. She could drink millions of hectares of fields, meadows, orchards and kitchen gardens to the fullest. But the Volga runs past. It carries its fresh, clear waters directly to the Caspian Sea.

Think about it: is it possible to allow the vast lands through which flows the largest river in Europe to remain without water and turn into a barren desert? Of course not!

To use the Volga waters to generate electricity and irrigate fields, meadows, orchards and orchards, huge dams were built on the great Russian river. Huge reservoirs formed around the dams.

Next to the dams, huge hydroelectric power plants (abbreviated as hydroelectric power plants) were built.

The dams raised the water level of the Volga. It has become much deeper and now does not get shallow anywhere in the summer. Large cargo and passenger ships can navigate the river. Transporting goods by river is much cheaper than by rail.

Timber, oil, grain, salt, cars, tractors, agricultural machines and many other goods are transported along the Volga.

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