Dmitrieva Vera A., Buchik SvetlanaV. WATER TEMPERATURE REGIME OF UPPER DON RIVER BASIN AS A REACTION TO CLIMATE CHANGE PROCESSES // Arid ecosystems. 2021. V. 27. № 1 (86). P. 127-134. | PDF

The current water temperature regimen in the rivers of the Upper Don is changing as a result of local climate processes which in turn are a reflection of the global climate change. The first ten years of the current century saw the near-surface air temperatures in the Upper Don increase on average by 1 degree Celsius, causing changes in the river water temperature regimen. This regimen reflects the interaction between atmosphere and hydrosphere. At the same time, the water masses are in contact with the water bed, which can also influence the temperature of the water. Due to the continuous interaction between different environments, the atmospheric temperature is not always the leading factor in the river water temperature dynamics. Despite the unidirectional tendency towards the increase in the regional air temperature in all of the Don catchment area, the water temperature changes are not straightforward and can be paradoxical. The right Don tributaries (Krasivaya Mecha, Devitsa, Chernayaa kalitva et al), coming from the Central Russian Upland, are seeing a steady decrease in water temperature. However, the left tributaries (Voronezh, Bityug), coming from the Oka-Don lowland plain, are showing a maximum water temperature increase. The water temperature is decreasing in the Podgornaya River, a left tributary coming from the Kalach elevation. The Don watercourse proper registers a water temperature increase. The controversial superficial water layer temperature dynamics can be attributed to annual water runoff distribution, the decrease in snow volume and the increase in the part of ground water influx during the periods of the water maximum formation.

Keywords: Upper Don, climate, the thermal regime, water temperature, air temperature.

DOI: 10.24411/1993-3916-2021-10144