To better understand the environmental problems of the Russian Plain, it is necessary to consider in detail what natural resources this geographic area possesses, than it is remarkable.
First of all, we will answer the question of whereis the Russian Plain. The East European Plain is located on the mainland of Eurasia and ranks second in the world in terms of area after the Amazon Plain. The second name of the East European Plain is Russian. This is due to the fact that a significant part of it is occupied by the state of Russia. It is in this area that most of the country's population is concentrated and the largest cities are located.
The length of the plain from north to south isalmost 2.5 thousand km, and from east to west - about 3 thousand km. Almost the entire territory of the Russian Plain has a flat relief with a slight slope - no more than 5 degrees. This is mainly due to the fact that the plain almost completely coincides with the East European platform. There is no movement of the earth's crust here and, as a result, there are no destructive natural phenomena (earthquakes).
The average height of the plain is about 200 m abovesea level. It reaches its maximum height on the Bugulma-Belebeev Upland - 479 m. The Russian plain can be divided into three lanes: the northern, central and southern. On its territory there are a number of elevations: the Middle-Russian Plain, the Smolensk-Moscow Upland - and the lowlands: Polesskaya, Oksko-Don Plain, etc.
Russian plain is rich in resources. Here there are all types of minerals: ore, non-metallic, combustible. A special place is occupied by the extraction of iron ores, oil and gas.
Iron ore of the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly. Fields: Lebedinskoe, Mikhailovsky, Stoilensky, Yakovlevsky. The ore of these developed deposits is characterized by a high iron content of 41.5%.
Minerals of the Russian Plain are mined in various ways, which has a negative impact on the environment. Soil, water and atmosphere are clogged.
Environmental problems of the Russian Plain in many waysassociated with human activity: the development of mineral deposits, the construction of cities, roads, emissions of large enterprises, the use of huge amounts of water, whose reserves do not have time to replenish, besides also polluted.
Below we consider all the environmental problems of the Russian Plain. The table will show what problems exist, where they are located. Presents possible ways to fight.
| Problem | Causes | Localization | What threatens | Solutions |
| Soil pollution | Development of KMA | Belgorod region Kursk region | Decrease in grain yield | Reclamation of land through the accumulation of black soil and overburden |
| Industrial engineering | Regions: Belgorod, Kursk, Orenburg, Volgograd, Astrakhan | Proper disposal of waste, reclamation of depleted land | ||
| Construction of railways and highways | All areas | |||
| Development of chalk, phosphorite, rock salt, shale, bauxite deposits | Regions: Moscow, Tula, Astrakhan, Bryansk, Saratov, etc. | |||
| Pollution of the hydrosphere | Development of KMA | Kursk region, Belgorod region | Groundwater level reduction | Water purification, groundwater level increase |
| Groundwater pumping | Moscow region, Orenburg region and etc. | The emergence of karst landforms, surface deformation due to subsidence of rocks, landslides, craters | ||
| Air pollution | Development of KMA | Kursk region, Belgorod region | Air pollution emissions, accumulation of heavy metals | Increase the area of forests, greenery |
| Large industrial enterprises | Regions: Moscow, Ivanovo, Orenburg, Astrakhan and others. | Greenhouse Congestion | Installation of high-quality filters on the pipes of enterprises | |
| Big cities | All major centers | Decrease in number of transport, increase in green zones, parks | ||
| Reduction of species diversity of flora and fauna | Hunting and population growth | All areas | The number of animals decreases, species of plants and animals disappear. | Creating reserves and game reserves |
East European Plain Climatemoderately continental. Continentality increases when moving inland. The average temperature of the plain in the coldest month (January) is -8 degrees in the west and -12 degrees in the east. In the warmest month (July), the average temperature in the north-west is +18 degrees, in the south-east +21 degrees.
Most precipitation falls in warmSeason - approximately 60-70% of the annual amount. Above the hills precipitation falls more than above the lowlands. The annual precipitation on the western part is 800 mm per year, on the eastern part - 600 mm.
There are several natural zones on the Russian Plain: steppes and semi-deserts, forest-steppe, deciduous forests, mixed forests, taiga, tundra (when moving from south to north).
The forest resources of the plain are represented mainlyconiferous trees are pine and spruce. Previously, forests were actively cut down and used in the woodworking industry. Currently, forests have a recreational, water regulation and water conservation value.
Due to the small climatic differences onthe territory of the Russian plain can be observed a pronounced soil-plant zonality. The northern sod-podzolic soils to the south are replaced by more fertile chernozem, which affects the nature of vegetation.
Flora and fauna suffered greatly due tohuman activities. Lost many plant species. Of the fauna, the greatest damage was caused to fur-bearing animals, which have always been a desirable object of hunting. Endangered mink, muskrat, raccoon dog, beaver. Such large ungulates as tarpan were forever exterminated, the saiga and bison almost disappeared.
To preserve certain species of animals and plants, reserves were created: Oksky, Galichya Gora, Central Chernozemny. V. V. Alekhina, Forest on Vorskla, etc.
Where the Russian Plain is located, there are many rivers and lakes. The main rivers that play a major role in human economic activity are the Volga, the Oka and the Don.
The Volga is the largest river in Europe.It houses the Volga-Kamsky Hydro-Industrial Complex, which includes a dam, a hydroelectric station and a reservoir. The length of the Volga is 3631 km. Many of its tributaries are used in the farm for irrigation.
Don also plays a significant role in industrial activities. Its length is 1870 km. The Volga-Don navigable canal and the Tsimlyansk reservoir are especially important.
In addition to these large rivers, the Khoper, Voronezh, Bityug, Northern Dvina, Western Dvina, Onega, Kem and others flow on the plain.
In addition to the rivers, the Russian plain includes the seas: the Baltic, Barents, White, Black, Caspian.
A gas pipeline runs along the bottom of the Baltic SeaNord Stream. This affects the ecological situation of the hydrological facility. During the laying of the pipeline, water was clogged, many fish species decreased in number.
В Балтийском, Баренцевом, Каспийском и Белом The seas produce some minerals, which, in turn, adversely affects the waters. Some industrial waste seeps into the seas.
In the Barents and Black Seas some industrial fish species are caught: cod, herring, flounder, haddock, halibut, catfish, anchovy, pike perch, mackerel, etc.
In the Caspian Sea fishing is carried out, mainlysturgeon. Due to the favorable natural conditions, there are many sanatoriums and tourist centers on the seashore. On the Black Sea are navigable waterways. Oil products are exported from Russian ports.
Кроме поверхностных вод, человеком используются underground, which, due to irrational use, adversely affects the soils - subsidence is formed, etc. On the plain there are three large artesian basins: the Caspian, Middle Russian and East Russian. They serve as a source of water supply of a vast territory.
