Goryachkin Y. Variability of the Black Sea level

The Thesis is devoted to the study of the variability of the Black Sea level. The most comprehensive data sets concerning the Black Sea level, river runoff, calculated values of precipitation and evaporation, satellite altimetry and other data are used. Individual factors in formation of the level mode of the Black Sea and contemporary trends of their changes are identified. Quantitative characteristics of the variability of the Black Sea for different space-time scales are estimated. Climatic changes on the scales of storm surges to seasonal variability are determined. It is shown that it is possible to explain the Black Sea level rise by the increase in the positive balance of fresh waters, steric effect, and land motions. It is established that during the last 30 years, changes in components of fresh-water balance of the Black Sea were expressed through increased precipitation and reduced evaporation. The river runoff was almost constant. With reference of the problem of coast degradation, variability of the main natural and anthropogenous factors determining coast dynamics of the Western Crimea is investigated. It is shown that in conditions of sea level rise, variability of the Western Crimea coastal line has different tendencies and is characterized by alternation of sites with receding, forwarding and stable coast. The contribution of sea level changes to the coastal line dynamics is established.