View source for Sea of Azov

{{Short description|Inland sea in eastern Europe}}
{{pp-extended|small=yes}}
{{Infobox body of water
| name               = Sea of Azov
| image              = Azow Sea Sunset.JPG
| caption            = Sea of Azov shoreline at [[Yalta, Donetsk Oblast]]
| image_bathymetry   = Black Sea map.png
| caption_bathymetry = Sea of Azov, upper right
| location           = 
| coords             = {{Coord|46|N|37|E|type:waterbody_scale:2500000|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_map        = Black Sea#Europe
| pushpin_map_alt = Location of a sea
| type               = [[Sea]]
| inflow             = [[Don (river)|Don]] and [[Kuban (river)|Kuban]]
| outflow            = 
| catchment          = 
| basin_countries    = [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]]
| length             = {{convert|360|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=k65/>
| width              = {{convert|180|km|mi|abbr=on}}<ref name=k65/>
| area               = {{convert|39000|km2|sqmi|abbr=on}}<ref name=k65/><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.blacksea-commission.org/_publ-ML-CH1.asp|title=Marine Litter Report|website=www.blacksea-commission.org|accessdate=Jul 29, 2022}}</ref>
| depth              = {{convert|7|m}}<ref name=k65/>
| max-depth          = {{convert|14|m|ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=k65/>
| volume             = {{convert|290|km3|e6acre.ft|abbr=on}}<ref name=k65/>
| residence_time     = 
| shore              = 
| elevation          = 
| frozen             = 
| islands            = 
| cities             = 
| reference          = 
}}
 <!-- end of Infobox -->

The '''Sea of Azov'''{{efn|[[Crimean Tatar language|Crimean Tatar]]: ''Azaq deñizi''; {{langx|ru|Азовское море|Azovskoye more}}; {{langx|uk|Азовське море|Azovs'ke more}}; {{langx|ady|Хы мыутӏэ|Xı mıut’ə}}}} is an inland [[Continental shelf#Shelf seas|shelf sea]] in [[Eastern Europe]] connected to the [[Black Sea]] by the narrow (about {{convert|4|km|abbr=on}}) [[Strait of Kerch]], and sometimes regarded as a northern extension of the Black Sea.<ref>{{cite encyclopedia|title=Sea of Azov|url=http://www.britannica.com/place/Sea-of-Azov|encyclopedia=Encyclopædia Britannica|access-date=2015-11-26}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldatlas.com/aatlas/infopage/seaofazov.htm|publisher=worldatlas.com|title=Map of Sea of Azov|access-date=2015-11-26}}</ref> The sea is bounded by Russia on the east, and by [[Ukraine]] on the northwest and southwest (the parts of Ukraine bordering the sea are currently [[Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine|under Russian occupation]]). It is an important access route for [[Central Asia]], from the [[Caspian Sea]] via the [[Volga–Don Canal]].

The sea is largely affected by the inflow of the [[Don (river)|Don]], [[Kuban (river)|Kuban]], and other rivers, which bring sand, [[silt]], and shells, which in turn form numerous bays, [[liman (landform)|liman]]s, and narrow [[spit (landform)|spit]]s. Because of these deposits, the sea bottom is relatively smooth and flat, with the depth gradually increasing toward the middle. Because of the river inflow, water in the sea has low [[salinity]] and a high amount of [[biomass]] (such as [[green algae]]) that affects the water colour. Abundant [[plankton]] result in unusually high fish productivity. The sea shores and spits are low; they are rich in vegetation and bird colonies. The Sea of Azov is the shallowest sea in the world, with the depth varying between {{convert|0.9|and|14|m|ft|0}}.<ref name="k65" /><ref>{{cite book |title=The New Encyclopædia Britannica |year=2005 |isbn=978-1-59339-236-9 |volume=1 |page=758 |quote=With a maximum depth of only about {{convert|46|ft|m}}, the Azov is the world's shallowest sea}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=aeBEAAAAMAAJ&q=Azov+%22shallowest+sea%22 |title=Academic American encyclopedia |publisher=Grolier |year=1996 |isbn=978-0-7172-2064-9 |volume=1 |page=388 |quote=The Azov is the world's shallowest sea, with depths ranging from {{convert|0.9|to|14|m|ft|abbr=on}}}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |year=1994 |title=National Geographic |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7dWAAAAAMAAJ&q=Azov+%22shallowest+sea%22 |journal=[[National Geographic Society]] |volume=185 |page=138}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Earth from space |url=http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/EFS/photoinfo.pl?PHOTO=STS060-85-BT |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110510094152/http://eol.jsc.nasa.gov/sseop/EFS/photoinfo.pl?PHOTO=STS060-85-BT |archive-date=2011-05-10 |publisher=NASA}}</ref> There is a constant outflow of water from the Sea of Azov to the Black Sea.

{{anchor|Etymology}}

==Names==
The name is likely to derive from the settlement of an area around [[Azov]], whose name comes from the [[Kipchak language|Kipchak Turkish]] ''asak'' or ''azaq'' 'lowlands'.<ref>{{cite book |last=Room |first=Adrian |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M1JIPAN-eJ4C&pg=PA42 |page=42 |title=Placenames of the world |publisher=McFarland |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-7864-2248-7}}</ref> A Russian [[false etymology|pseudo-etymology]], however, instead derives it from an [[eponym]]ous [[Cumans|Cuman]] prince named "Azum" or "Asuf", said to have been killed defending his town in 1067.{{citation needed|date=June 2024}} A formerly common spelling of the name in English was the {{nowrap|Sea of Azoff}}.<ref name=eb9>{{Cite EB9|wstitle=Sea of Azoff |volume=3 |page=169}}</ref>

In [[classical antiquity|antiquity]], the sea was known as the [[Maeotis Swamp]] ({{langx|el|Μαιῶτις λίμνη}},<ref>{{Ill|Carlo Egger||it}} ''Lexicon Nominum Locorum: Supplementum referens nomina Latina vulgaria'' (1985), p. 42.</ref> ''hē Maiōtis límnē''; {{langx|la| Palus Maeotis }}),<ref>"Et hoc mare est palus Maeotis famosissima..." ([https://books.google.com/books?id=UfqcGd8NOFsC&dq=%22mare+est+palus+Maeotis%22&pg=PA357 The ''Opus Majus'' of Roger Bacon, vol. 1, p. 357]); Hofmann, [https://www2.uni-mannheim.de/mateo/camenaref/hofmann/hof3/s0542a.html vol. 3, p. 542].</ref> from the marshlands to its northeast. It remains unclear whether it was named for the nearby [[Maeotians]] or viceversa if that name was an [[exonym]], broadly applied to various peoples who happened to live beside it.<ref name=digrog>{{cite DGRG|last=James |first=Edward Boucher |url= https://archive.org/stream/dictionaryofgree02smit#page/244/mode/2up |title=Maeotae and Maeotis Palus |volume=2 |edition=1st |publisher=Walton & Maberly |location=London |year=1857}}</ref> Other names included {{nowrap|Lake Maeotis}} or Maeotius (''{{lang|la|Mæotius}}'' or ''{{lang|la|Mæotis Lacus}}'');<ref>[[Pliny the Elder]]. ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Naturalis Historiæ]]'' ["''Natural History''"], iv.24 & vi.6. {{in lang|la}}</ref> the Maeotian or {{nowrap|Maeotic Sea}} (''{{lang|la|Mæotium}}'' or ''{{lang|la|Mæoticum Æquor}}'');<ref>Avienus.{{which|date=August 2014}}{{clarify|date=August 2014}} v.32. {{in lang|la}}; [[Gaius Valerius Flaccus]]. ''[[Argonautica (Valerius Flaccus)|Argonautica]]''. iv.720. {{in lang|la}}</ref> the Cimmerian or {{nowrap|Scythican Swamps}} (''{{lang|la|Cimmeriae}}''<ref>Claud.{{who|date=August 2014}} ''in Eutrop.''{{clarify|date=August 2014}} i.249. {{in lang|la}}</ref> or ''{{nowrap|Scythicæ Paludes}}'');<ref name=ovy>[[Publius Ovidius Naso]]. ''Her''.{{which|date=August 2014}} vi.107. & ''Trist''.{{which|date=August 2014}} iii.4.49.</ref> and the Cimmerian or {{nowrap|Bosporic Sea}} (''{{lang|la|Cimmericum}}'' or ''{{lang|la|Bosporicum Mare}}'').<ref>Gell.{{which|date=August 2014}} xvii.8</ref> The Maeotians themselves were said by [[Pliny the Elder|Pliny]] to call the sea Temarunda (alternative spellings Temarenda and Temerinda), meaning "Mother of Waters".<ref>[[Pliny the Elder]]. ''[[Natural History (Pliny)|Naturalis Historiæ]]'' ["''Natural History''"], vi.7.20.</ref> {{dubious|date=July 2019}}

The medieval Russians knew it as the {{nowrap|Sea of Surozh}} after the adjacent city now known as [[Sudak]].<ref name=k65/><ref name=bse1>{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://bse.sci-lib.com/article003543.html|language=ru|title=Азовское море|trans-title= Sea of Azov|encyclopedia=[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]}}</ref> It was known in [[Ottoman Turkish language|Ottoman Turkish]] as the ''Balük-Denis'' ("Fish Sea") from its high productivity.<ref name=eb9/>

==History==
===Prehistory===
{{Main|Black Sea deluge theory}}
There are traces of [[Neolithic]] settlement in the area now covered by the sea.

In 1997, William Ryan and [[Walter Pitman (geologist)|Walter Pitman]] of [[Columbia University]] published a theory that a massive flood through the [[Bosporus]] occurred in ancient times. They claim that the Black and [[Caspian Sea]]s were vast freshwater lakes, but in about {{nowrap|5600 BC}} the [[Mediterranean Sea|Mediterranean]] spilled over a rocky [[sill (geology)|sill]] at the Bosporus, creating the current link between the Black and Mediterranean Seas. Subsequent work has been done both to support and to discredit this theory, and archaeologists still debate it. This has led some to associate this catastrophe with prehistoric [[Deluge (mythology)|flood myths]].<ref>{{cite journal |doi=10.1016/S0025-3227(97)00007-8 |url=http://www.geoecomar.ro/website/publicatii/Nr.2-1997/10.WilliamBFRyan.pdf |title=An abrupt drowning of the Black Sea shelf |year=1997 |last1=Ryan |first1=W |journal=Marine Geology |volume=138 |issue=1–2 |page=119|bibcode=1997MGeol.138..119R |citeseerx=10.1.1.598.2866 |s2cid=129316719 |issn = 0025-3227}}</ref>
[[File:Greek colonies of the Northern Euxine Sea (Black Sea).svg|thumb|[[Colonies in antiquity|Ancient Greek colonies]] in the north Black Sea, 8th to 3rd century BC, along with their modern names]]

===Antiquity===
{{main|Bosporan Kingdom}}
The [[Maeotian Swamp|Maeotian marshes]] around the mouth of the [[Tanais River]] (the present-day [[Don River, Russia|Don]]) were famous in [[classical antiquity|antiquity]], as they served as an important check on the migration of nomadic people from the [[Eurasian steppe]]lands. The [[Maeotians]] themselves lived by fishing and farming, but were avid warriors able to defend themselves against invaders.<ref name=straystray>[[Strabo]]. ''[[Geographica (Strabo)|Geographica]]'', xi. {{in lang|la}}.</ref> Misled by its strong currents,<ref name=eb9/> [[History of geography#Antiquity|ancient geographers]] had only a vague idea of the extent of the sea, whose fresh water caused them to typically label it a "swamp" or a "lake". [[Herodotus]] (5th century BC) judged it as large as the [[Black Sea]], while the [[Periplus of Pseudo-Scylax|Pseudo-Scylax]] (4th century BC) thought it about half as large.<ref name=digrog/>

It was long believed to provide direct communication with the [[Arctic Ocean]].<ref name=eb9/> [[Polybius]] (2nd century BC) confidently expected that the strait to the Sea of Azov would close in the near future, due to ongoing deposition of sediments from rivers.<ref>[[Polybius]]. {{lang|grc|Ἱστορίαι}} [''Historíai'', ''[[The Histories (Polybius)|The Histories]]''], iv.39. {{in lang|grc}}</ref> In the 1st century, [[Strabo]] reckoned the distance from the Cimmerian Bosporus (the [[Strait of Kerch]]) to the mouth of the Tanais at {{nowrap|2200 [[stadion (unit of length)|stadia]]}}, a roughly correct figure,{{efn
|The length of the [[stadion (unit of length)|stadion]] varies in Strabo's work depending upon his sources and conversions,<ref>
[[Strabo]]. ''[[Geographica (Strabo)|Geographica]]''. Trans. by H.C. Hamilton as [https://www.perseus.tufts.edu/hopper/text?doc=Perseus%3Atext%3A1999.01.0239%3Abook%3Dpreface ''The Geography of Strabo'', "Preface"]. George Bell & Sons (London), 1903.</ref> but this would have been around 350 to 400 kilometres.}} but did not know that its width continuously narrows.<ref name=digrog/>

[[Miletus|Milesian]] [[Greek colonization|colonization]] began in the 7th century BC. The [[Bosporan Kingdom]] was named for the Cimmerian Bosporus rather than for the more famous [[Bosporus]] at the other end of the [[Black Sea]]. Briefly annexed by [[Kingdom of Pontus|Pontus]] from the late 2nd century BC, it stretched along both southern shores of the Sea of Azov from the time of [[Greek colonization]] to the end of the [[Roman Empire]], serving as a [[client kingdom]] which exported wheat, fish, and [[slavery in antiquity|slaves]] in exchange for Greek and Roman manufactures and luxuries. Its later history is uncertain but probably the [[Huns]], after defeating the [[Alans|Alans people]] who had settled in the region from central Asia, overran it in the late 4th century.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Sinor |first1=Denis |author1-link=Denis Sinor |title=The Cambridge history of early Inner Asia |date=1990 |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=0521243041 |page=180 |edition=2004}}</ref>

===Azov campaigns of 1695–96 and 1736–37===
[[File:Capture of Azov 1696.png|thumb|Capture of Azov 1696, painting by [[Robert Ker Porter]].]]
{{main|Azov campaigns}}
The Sea of Azov was frequently the scene of military conflicts between Russia, pursuing naval expansion to the south, and the major power in the region, [[Ottoman Empire|Turkey]]. During the [[Russo-Turkish War (1686–1700)]], there were two campaigns in 1695–96 to capture the then Turkish fortress of Azov defended by a garrison of 7,000. The campaigns were headed by [[Peter I of Russia|Peter I]] and aimed to gain Russian access to the Sea of Azov and Black Sea. The first campaign began in the spring of 1695. The Russian army consisted of 31 thousand men and 170 cannons and included selected trained regiments and [[Cossacks]]. It reached Azov on 27–28 June and besieged it by land by 5 July. After two unsuccessful assaults on 5 August and 25 September, the siege was lifted.<ref name=bse95/>

The second campaign involved both ground forces and the Azov fleet, which was built in Moscow Oblast, Voronezh, Bryansk and other regions between winter 1695 and spring 1696. In April 1696, the army of 75,000 headed by [[Aleksei Shein]] moved to Azov by land and by ship via the Don River to Taganrog. In early May, they were joined by another fleet led by Peter I. On 27 May, the Russian fleet blocked Azov by sea. On 14 June, the Turkish fleet tried to break the blockade but, after losing two ships, retreated to the sea. After intensive bombardment of the fortress from land and sea, on 17 July the Russian army broke the defense lines and occupied parts of the wall. After heavy fighting, the garrison surrendered on 17 July. After the war, the Russian fleet base was moved to Taganrog and Azov, and 215 ships were built there between 1696 and 1711. In 1711, as a result of the [[Russo-Turkish War (1710–1711)]] and the [[Treaty of the Pruth]], Azov was returned to Turkey and the Russian Azov fleet was destroyed.<ref name=bse95>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://bse.sci-lib.com/article003498.html|language=ru|title=Azov campaign 1695–96|encyclopedia=[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]|access-date=June 20, 2010}}</ref><ref name=bsefleet>{{cite encyclopedia|url=http://bse.sci-lib.com/article003510.html|language=ru|title=Azov fleet|encyclopedia=[[Great Soviet Encyclopedia]]}}</ref> The city was recaptured by Russia in 1737 during the [[Russo-Austrian-Turkish War (1735–1739)]]. However, as a result of the consequent [[Treaty of Niš (1739)|Treaty of Niš]], Russia was not allowed to keep the fortress and military fleet.<ref>{{cite book |last=Sokolov |first=B. V. |url=http://www.bibliotekar.ru/encW/100/62.htm |title=Russo-Turkish Wars of 18th–19th Centuries |language=ru}}</ref>

===Crimean War 1853–1856===
[[File:1stsiege taganrog.jpg|thumb|Gravure showing the first attack on Taganrog.]]
{{main|Crimean War|Siege of Taganrog}}
Another major military campaign on the Sea of Azov took place during the [[Crimean War]] of 1853–56. A naval and ground campaign pitting the allied navies of [[United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland|Britain]] and France against Russia took place between May and November 1855. The British and French forces besieged [[Taganrog]], aiming to disrupt Russian supplies to Crimea. Capturing Taganrog would also result in an attack on Rostov, which was a strategic city for Russian support of their Caucasian operations. On 12 May 1855, the allied forces easily captured Kerch and gained access to the Sea of Azov, and on 22 May they attacked Taganrog. The attack failed and was followed by a siege. Despite the vast superiority of the allied forces (about 16,000 soldiers against fewer than 2,000), the city withstood all attempts to capture it, which ended around August 1855 with the retreat of the allied army. Individual coastal attacks continued without success and ceased in October 1855.<ref>{{cite book |last=Filevsky |first=Pavel |title=''History of Taganrog'' |place=Moscow |publisher=Tipo-lit |year=1898}}</ref>

===21st century===
In December 2003, Ukraine and the Russian Federation agreed in a [[Treaty Between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on Cooperation in the Use of the Sea of Azov and the Kerch Strait|treaty]] to treat the sea and the Kerch Strait as shared internal waters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.ecolex.org/details/treaty/agreement-between-the-russian-federation-and-the-ukraine-on-cooperation-in-the-use-of-the-sea-of-azov-and-the-strait-of-kerch-tre-149547/|title=Agreement between the Russian Federation and the Ukraine on cooperation in the use of the sea of Azov and the strait of Kerch|website=www.ecolex.org|access-date=2018-11-27}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url = http://people.ucalgary.ca/~amcewen/Azov-Kerch.pdf|title = Russia – Ukraine Boundary in the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait|url-status = dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140514090446/http://people.ucalgary.ca/~amcewen/Azov-Kerch.pdf |archive-date=May 14, 2014 |first = Alec|last = McEwan}}</ref>

In September 2018, Ukraine announced the intention to add [[Ukrainian Navy|navy]] ships and further ground forces along the coast of the Sea of Azov, with the ships based at [[Berdiansk]]. The military posturing was exacerbated following the construction of the [[Crimean Bridge]], which is too low to allow passage of [[Panamax]] ships into Ukraine's port.<ref name="2018-09-24_stratfor">[https://worldview.stratfor.com/article/ukraine-and-russia-take-their-conflict-sea Ukraine and Russia Take Their Conflict to the Sea], [[Stratfor]], 2018-09-24</ref> Late that September, two Ukrainian vessels departed from the [[Black Sea]] port [[Odesa]], passed under the Crimean Bridge, and arrived in [[Mariupol]].<ref>[https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-defense/2551703-dmytro-kovalenko-commander-of-the-ukrainian-navy-move-to-azov-sea.html Dmytro Kovalenko, commander of the Ukrainian Navy move to Azov Sea], [[Ukrinform]] (4 October 2018)</ref> Tensions increased further after the [[Kerch Strait incident]] in November 2018, when Russia seized three Ukrainian Navy vessels attempting to enter the Sea of Azov.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ukraine's ports partially unblocked by Russia, says Kiev |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/dec/04/ukraine-ports-partially-unblocked-by-russia-says-kiev |access-date=6 December 2018 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=4 December 2018 |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

Control of the western shore of the Sea is vital to the economy of Ukraine but it is also of immense strategic importance to Russia, as a land route to Crimea as well as it is for passage by Russian marine traffic.<ref>[https://www.mei.edu/publications/russian-dominance-black-sea-sea-azov Russian dominance in the Black Sea: The Sea of Azov], ''[[Middle East Institute]]'', Luke Coffey, September 25, 2020. Retrieved March 23, 2022.</ref>

On December 10, 2021, the Ukrainian Navy announced that Russia had blocked off nearly 70 percent of the Sea of Azov, issuing navigation warnings, ostensibly to conduct artillery fire exercises on the sea ..."near Mariupol, Berdyansk and Henichesk."<ref name=aggression>[https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-azov-sea-russia-tensions/31604367.html Ukraine Says Russia Blocking Most Of Sea Of Azov As Tensions Mount Between Kyiv And Moscow], ''[[Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty]]'', December 11, 2021. Retrieved March 26, 2022.</ref> It raised apprehension regarding a potential Russian invasion since it had begun amassing tens of thousands of troops near the southeast Ukraine border and had begun a propaganda war against the Kyiv government.<ref name=aggression/> The Russians seized three Ukrainian military vessel as the boats were trying to cross the strait, and captured 24 sailors who were finally released after months of negotiations.<ref name=aggression/>

On February 24, 2022, Russian forces began shelling Mariupol at the start of the [[2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Vasovic|first=Aleksandar|date=24 February 2022|title=Port city of Mariupol comes under fire after Russia invades Ukraine|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/strategic-city-mariupol-wakes-blasts-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|access-date=23 March 2022|archive-date=26 February 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220226011024/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/strategic-city-mariupol-wakes-blasts-russia-invades-ukraine-2022-02-24/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>[https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112662 Ukraine Crisis: Protecting civilians 'Priority Number One'; Guterres releases $20M for humanitarian support]. ''UN News''. 24 February 2022. {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301084123/https://news.un.org/en/story/2022/02/1112662 |date=1 March 2022 }}</ref> By May, with the end of the [[siege of Mariupol]], Russia fully captured the city and blocked off Ukraine's access to the sea by controlling the entire north [[Pryazovia]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2022/05/18/1099885151/mariupol-falls-ukraine-russia-what-it-means |title=Mariupol has fallen to Russia. Here's what that means for Ukraine |website=NPR|date=19 May 2022}}</ref>

==Geology and bathymetry==
[[File:AzovseaNASA2.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of Sea of Azov. The shallow Sea of Azov is clearly distinguished from the deeper Black Sea. Numbers: 1. [[Dnieper River]], 2. [[Kakhovka Reservoir]], 3. [[Molochna River]], 4. [[Molochnyi Lyman]], 5. [[Arabat Spit]], 6. [[Syvash]] lagoon system, 7. [[Karkinit Bay]], 8. Kalamitsky Bay, 9. [[Crimea]], 10. Fedosiysky Bay, 11. [[Strait of Kerch]], 12. [[Black Sea]], 13. Sea of Azov, 14. [[Don River (Russia)]], 15. [[Taganrog Bay]], 16. Yeysk Liman, 17. Beisug Liman]]
The [[International Hydrographic Organization]] defines the limit of the Sea of Azov in the [[Strait of Kerch|Kertch Strait]] {{sic}} as "The limit of the [[Black Sea]]", which is itself defined as "A line joining Cape Takil and Cape Panaghia (45°02'N)".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://iho.int/uploads/user/pubs/standards/s-23/S-23_Ed3_1953_EN.pdf|title=Limits of Oceans and Seas, 3rd edition|year=1953|publisher=International Hydrographic Organization|access-date=28 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111008191433/http://www.iho-ohi.net/iho_pubs/standard/S-23/S23_1953.pdf|archive-date=October 8, 2011}}</ref>

The sea is considered an internal sea of Russia and Ukraine, and its use is governed by an agreement between these countries ratified in 2003.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20081009023750/http://2004.kremlin.ru/events/articles/2003/12/57621/58572.shtml Treaty between the Russian Federation and Ukraine on cooperation in the use of the Sea of Azov and Kerch Strait], December 24, 2003, kremlin.ru {{in lang|ru}}</ref>
The sea is {{convert|360|km}} long and {{convert|180|km}} wide and has an area of {{convert|39000|km2}}; it is the smallest sea within the countries of the former Soviet Union.<ref name=kki>{{cite book |last=Kapitonov |first=V. I. Borisov and E. I. |language=ru |url=http://azov.tv/azovsea.html |publisher=KKI |year=1973 |title=Sea of Azov |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100917112747/http://azov.tv/azovsea.html |archive-date=2010-09-17 }}</ref> The main rivers flowing into it are the [[Don River, Russia|Don]] and [[Kuban River|Kuban]]; they ensure that the waters of the sea have comparatively low salinity and are almost fresh in places, and also bring in huge volumes of [[silt]] and sand. Accumulation of sand and shells results in a smooth and low coastline, as well as in numerous spits and sandbanks.<ref name=bse1/>

The Sea of Azov is the shallowest sea in the world with an average depth of {{convert|7|m}} and maximum depth of {{convert|14|m}};<ref name=k65/> in the bays, where silt has built up, the average depth is about {{convert|1|m|ft|0}}. The sea bottom is also relatively flat with the depth gradually increasing from the coast to the centre.<ref name=seas>{{cite book |last=Zalogin |first=A. D. Dobrovolsky and B. S. |language=ru |title=Seas of USSR |publisher=Moscow University |year=1982}}</ref> The Sea of Azov is an internal sea with passage to the Atlantic Ocean going through the Black, [[Sea of Marmara|Marmara]], [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]] and Mediterranean seas. It is connected to the Black Sea by the Strait of Kerch, which at its narrowest has a width of {{convert|4|km}} and a maximum depth of {{convert|15|m|ft|0}}.<ref name=k65/> The narrowness of the Kerch Strait limits the water exchange with the Black Sea. As a result, the salinity of the Sea of Azov is low; in the open sea it is 10–12 on the [[Practical Salinity Unit|Practical Salinity Scale]] (PSS), about one third of the salinity of the oceans; it is even lower (2–7 (PSS)) in the Taganrog Bay at the northeast end of the Sea. The long-term variations of salinity on the PSS are low, and are mostly caused by changes in humidity and precipitation.<ref>Kostianoy, pp. 69–73</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nodc.noaa.gov/OC5/AZOV2006/HTML/s_climatology.html|title=Climatological Atlas of the Sea of Azov|publisher=National Oceanographic Data Centre|access-date=2008-01-06}}</ref>

Although more than 20 rivers flow into the sea, mostly from the north,<ref name=seas/> two of them, the [[Don River (Russia)|Don]] and [[Kuban River|Kuban]] rivers, account for more than 90% of water inflow. The contribution of the Don is about twice that of the Kuban.<ref name=seas/> The Kuban delta is located at the southeast, on the east side of the Kerch Strait. It is over 100&nbsp;km long and covers a vast flooded area with numerous channels. Because of the spread, the delta has low contrast in satellite images, and is hardly visible in the map. The Don flows from the north into the large [[Taganrog Bay]]. The depth there varies between 2 and 9 metres, while the maximum depth is observed in the middle of the sea.<ref name=k66/>

Typical values of the annual inflow and outflow of water to the sea, averaged over the period from 1923 to 1985, are as follows: river inflow 38.6&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, precipitation 15.5&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, evaporation 34.6&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, inflow from the Black Sea 36–38&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>, outflow 53–55&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup>.<ref name=k67/> Thus, about 17&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of fresh water is outflowing from the Azov Sea to the Black Sea.<ref name=bse1/> The depth of Azov Sea is decreasing, mostly due to the river-induced deposits.<ref name=kki/> Whereas the past hydrological expeditions recorded depths of up to 16 metres, more recent ones could not find places deeper than 13.5–14 metres.<ref name=kki/> This might explain the variation in the maximum depths among different sources. The water level fluctuates by some 20&nbsp;cm over the year due to the snow melts in spring.<ref name=k67>Kostianoy, p. 67</ref>

The [[Taman Peninsula]] has about 25 [[mud volcano]]es, most of which are active. Their eruptions are usually quiet, spilling out mud, and such gases as methane, carbon dioxide and [[hydrogen sulfide]], but are sometimes violent and resemble regular volcanic eruptions. Some of those volcanoes are under water, near the shores of the peninsula. A major eruption on 6 September 1799, near Golubitskaya [[stanitsa]], lasted about 2 hours and formed a mud island 100 metres in diameter and 2 metres in height; the island was then washed away by the sea. There were similar eruptions in 1862, 1906, 1924, 1950 and 1952.<ref name=kki/>

The current vertical profile of the Sea of Azov exhibits oxygenated surface waters and [[Anoxic waters|anoxic]] bottom waters, with the anoxic waters forming in a layer {{convert|0.5|to(-)|4|m|ft|0}} in thickness. The occurrence of the anoxic layer is attributed to seasonal eutrophication events associated with increased sedimentary input from the Don and Kuban Rivers. This sedimentary input stimulates biotic activity in the surface layers, in which organisms photosynthesise under aerobic conditions. Once the organisms expire, the dead organic matter sinks to the bottom of the sea where bacteria and microorganisms, using all available oxygen, consume the organic matter, leading to anoxic conditions. Studies have shown that in the Sea of Azov, the exact vertical structure is dependent on wind strength and [[sea surface temperature]], but typically a 'stagnation zone' lies between the oxic and anoxic layers.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Debolskaya |first1=E. I. |first2=E.V. |last2=Yakusheva |first3=I.S. |last3=Kuznetsov |title=Analysis of the hydrophysical structure of the Sea of Azov in the period of the bottom anoxia development |doi=10.1016/j.jmarsys.2007.02.027 |journal=Journal of Marine Systems |volume=70 |page=300 |year=2008 |issue=3–4|bibcode=2008JMS....70..300D }}</ref>

==Coastal features and major population centres==
{{see also|Spits of the Sea of Azov}}
[[File:AzovseaNASA3.jpg|thumb|Major spits of the Sea of Azov: 1. Arabat 2. Fedotov 3. Obitochna 4. Berdyansk 5. Belosaraysk 6. Krivaya 7. Beglitsk 8. Glafirovsk (east) and Yeysk (west) 9. Dolgaya 10. Kamyshevatsk 11. Yasensk 12. Achuevsk 13. Chushka]]

Many rivers flowing into the Sea of Azov form bays, [[lagoon]]s and [[Liman (landform)|limans]]. The sand, silt and shells{{Verify source|date=June 2024|reason=Need specific source for the shells being mainly riverine rather than marine, as this is doubtful.}} they bring are deposited in the areas of reduced flow, that is the sides of the bays, forming narrow sandbanks called [[spit (landform)|spits]]. Typical maximum depth in the bays and limans is a few metres. Because of shallow waters and abundant rivers, the spits are remarkably long and numerous in the sea – the [[Arabat Spit]] stretches over {{convert|112|km}} and is one of the world's longest spits; three other spits, Fedotov Spit, Achuevsk Spit and Obitochna Spit, are longer than 30&nbsp;km. Most spits stretch from north to south and their shape can significantly change over just several years.<ref name=r2>{{Cite web|url=http://www.coruna.coastdyn.ru/theme/azov.pdf|title=Complex characteristics of the present condition of the Sea of Azov shore within the Krasnodar Krai|website=www.coruna.coastdyn.ru|accessdate=Jul 29, 2022}}</ref><ref name=b1>{{cite book |last=Lotysh |first=I.P. |title=Geography of Kuban. Collegiate Dictionary |publisher=Maikop |year=2006}}{{Full citation needed|date=June 2024|reason=Is this citation accurate? Is this an English source or is it perhaps Большой академический словарь русского языка?}}</ref>

A remarkable feature of the Sea of Azov is the large complex of shallow lagoons called [[Syvash]] or "Rotten Sea". Their typical depth is only 0.5–1 metres with a maximum of 3 metres. They cover an area of {{convert|2560|km2}} in the northeastern [[Crimea]] which is separated from the sea by the Arabatsk Spit. North of the spit lies the city of [[Henichesk]] (population 22,500) and south of it is the [[Bay of Arabat]].<ref name=arabat>{{cite book |last=Semenov |first=Petr Petrovich |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HlEFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA111 |language=ru |title=Geografichesko-statisticheskìĭ slovar' Rossìĭskoĭ imperìi (Geographical-statistical dictionary of Russian Empire) |publisher=Oxford University |year=1862 |page=111}}</ref> Syvash accepts up to 1.5&nbsp;km<sup>3</sup> of Azov water per year. Because of the lagoons' wide extent and shallowness, the water rapidly evaporates, resulting in the high salinity of 170 on the [[Salinity|practical salinity scale]]. For this reason Syvash has long had an important salt-producing industry.<ref name=k66>Kostianoy, p. 66</ref>

[[File:AzovSeaCities.png|thumb|Population centres on the Sea of Azov]]
North of the Arabat Spit is the [[Molochnyi Liman]] with the associated Fedotov Spit (45&nbsp;km long) which are formed by the [[Molochna River]]. Farther north, between the Fedotov Spit and Obytochna Spit (30&nbsp;km long), lies Obytochny Bay. Further north, between Obytochna Spit and Berdyansk Spit (23&nbsp;km long), is Berdyansk Bay with two cities, [[Berdyansk]] (population 112,000) and [[Prymorsk|Primorsk]] (population 13,900). Further north again lies Belosaraysk Bay with Belosaraysk Spit, formed by the river [[Kalmius]]. The major city in the area is [[Mariupol]] (population 491,600). Then, approaching the [[Taganrog Bay]] and very close to [[Taganrog]], are the Mius Liman and Krivaya Spit formed by the [[Mius River]].<ref name=b1/>

With an area of about {{convert|5600|km2}}, [[Taganrog Bay]] is the largest bay of the Sea of Azov. It is located in the north-eastern part of the Sea and is bounded by the Belosaraysk and [[Dolgaya Spit]]s. The [[Don River (Russia)|Don]] flows into it from the north-east. On its shores stand the two principal cities of the Sea of Azov, [[Taganrog]] (population 257,600) and [[Azov]] (population 83,200). South-east of the bay is Yeysk Liman. It lies entirely on the continent, entering the Taganrog Bay through the Yeysk and Glafirovsk Spits, and is the mouth of the [[Yeya River]]. Yeysk Spit is part of [[Yeysk]] city, which has a population of 87,500. It extends into the prominent Yeysk peninsula, which is tipped in the north-west by the [[Dolgaya Spit]]. South of it, also enclosed by the continent, lies Beisug Liman, which is restricted by the Yasensk Spit and is fed by the [[Beysug River]]. South-west of the liman, the 31&nbsp;km long Achuevsk Spit runs along the coastline. Between the Achuevsk spit and Beisug Liman stands [[Primorsko-Akhtarsk]] with 32,165 inhabitants.<ref name=r2/><ref name=b1/>

[[File:Sea of Azov.jpg|thumb|A spit in the Sea of Azov]]
In the south, the Sea of Azov is connected to the Black Sea via the [[Strait of Kerch]], which is bordered to the west by the Kerch peninsula of the [[Crimea]] and to the east by the Russian Taman peninsula in [[Krasnodar Krai]]. The city of [[Kerch]] (population 151,300) is located on the Kerch peninsula, and the Taman peninsula contains the delta of the [[Kuban (river)|Kuban]], a major Russian river. The strait is 41 kilometres long and 4 to 15 kilometres wide. Its narrowest part lies on the Sea of Azov side, restricted by the [[Chushka Spit]] which faces southwards in consequence of the [[Discharge (hydrology)|outflow]] from the Azov to the Black Sea.<ref>{{GSEn|060810|Керченский пролив (Kerch Strait)}}</ref>

The Strait of Kerch is spanned by the [[Crimean Bridge]], which was opened in May 2018. This is a major geopolitical issue since shipping vessels over a certain size can not pass under the span.<ref>{{cite news |last=Choursina |first= Kateryna |date=25 July 2018 |title=Ukraine Complains Russia Is Using New Crimea Bridge to Disrupt Shipping |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-07-25/ukraine-complains-russia-uses-crimea-bridge-to-disrupt-shipping |work=Bloomberg |access-date=1 September 2018 }}<br/>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |date=15 May 2018 |title=Putin Opens Crimean Bridge Condemned By Kyiv, EU |url=https://www.rferl.org/a/putin-to-attend-opening-of-bridge-linking-russia-to-crimea/29227926.html |work=Radio Free Europe |access-date=1 September 2018 }}<br/>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=Putin Inaugurates Bridge to Crimea |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/putin-inaugurates-bridge-to-crimea#gs.cY3JWAg |work=The Maritime Executive |date=5 May 2018 |access-date=1 September 2018 }}</ref> Since then Russia has been accused of interdicting shipping through the Kerch Strait.<ref>{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title=U.S. Accuses Russia of Harassing Ukrainian Shipping |url=https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/u-s-accuses-russia-of-harassing-ukrainian-shipping#gs.XVtrcdM |work=Maritime Executive |date=30 August 2018 |access-date=1 September 2018}}<br/>{{cite magazine |last=Sharkov |first=Damien |date=31 August 2018 |title=Russia is Blocked 'Hundreds" of Ships from Ukraine's Ports and the U.S. Wants it to Stop |url=https://www.newsweek.com/russia-blocking-hundreds-ships-ukraines-ports-and-us-wants-it-stop-1099801 |magazine=Newsweek |access-date=2 September 2018 }}</ref>

==Hydrology==
[[File:Coast of the Sea of Azov.jpg|thumb|Azov Sea shore, with sea cliffs.]]
{|
|valign=top|
;Bays etc
* [[Syvash]]
* [[Bay of Arabat]]
* [[Taganrog Bay]]
* [[Temryuk Bay]]
* Kazantip Bay
* Berdyansk Bay
* Obytichna Bay
* [[Taman Bay]]
* [[Kerch Strait]], connection with [[Black Sea]]
|width=30|
|valign=top|
;Rivers
* [[Don (river)|Don]]
* [[Kuban (river)|Kuban]]
* [[Molochna]]
* [[Molochnyi Lyman]]
* [[Kalmius]]
* Malyi Utlyuk, Velykyi Utlyuk; Utlyuk Estuary
* Atmanai; Bolhradsky Sivashyk
* [[Mius]]; Mius Estuary
* [[Yeya]]; Yeisk Estuary
* [[Beysug]]; Beysug Estuary
* Berda

:''and others''
|}

==Climate==
[[File:Shcholkine beach.jpg|thumb|Beach in [[Shcholkine|Shchyolkino]] in [[Crimea]]]]
The sea is relatively small and nearly surrounded by land. Therefore, its climate is continental with cold winters and hot and dry summers. In autumn and winter, the weather is affected by the [[Siberian High|Siberian Anticyclone]] which brings cold and dry air from [[Siberia]] with winds of 4–7&nbsp;m/s, sometimes up to 15&nbsp;m/s. Those winds may lower the winter temperatures from the usual −1 to −5&nbsp;°C to below −30&nbsp;°C. The mean mid-summer temperatures are 23–25&nbsp;°C with a maximum of about 40&nbsp;°C.<ref name=k66/> Winds are weaker in summer, typically 3–5&nbsp;m/s.<ref name=seas/> [[Precipitation (meteorology)|Precipitation]] varies between 312 and 528&nbsp;mm/year and is 1.5–2 times larger in summer than in winter.<ref name=bse1/>

Average water temperatures are 0–1&nbsp;°C in winter (2–3&nbsp;°C in the Kerch Strait) and 24–25&nbsp;°C in summer, with a maximum of about 28&nbsp;°C on the [[open sea]] and above 30&nbsp;°C near the shores. During the summer, the sea surface is usually slightly warmer than the air.<ref name=seas/><!-- owthatworks? --> Because of the [[wikt:shallow|shallow]] character of the sea, the temperature usually lowers by only about 1&nbsp;°C with depth, but in cold winters, the difference can reach 5–7&nbsp;°C.<ref name=seas/><ref name=k69/>

The winds cause frequent storms, with the waves reaching 6 metres in the Taganrog Bay, 2–4 metres near the southern shores, and 1 metre in the Kerch Strait. In the open sea, their height is usually 1–2 metres, sometimes up to 3 metres. Winds also induce frequent [[seiche]]s – [[standing wave]]s with an amplitude of 20–50&nbsp;cm and lasting from minutes to hours. Another consequence of the winds is [[water current]]s. The prevailing current is a [[counterclockwise]] [[wikt:swirl|swirl]] due to the westerly and south-westerly winds. Their speed is typically less than 10&nbsp;cm/s, but can reach 60–70&nbsp;cm/s for 15–20&nbsp;m/s winds. In the bays, the flow is largely controlled by the inflow of the rivers and is directed away from the shore.<ref name=k67/> In the Kerch Strait, the flow is normally toward the Black Sea due to the predominance of northern winds and the water inflow from the rivers; its average speed is 10–20&nbsp;cm/s, reaching 30–40&nbsp;cm in the narrowest parts.<ref name=k68>Kostianoy, p. 68</ref> Although the sea is not subject to tidal variation, there are seasonal changes in the observed sea level of up to {{convert|10|-|20|in}}, caused by seasonal variations in river outflows.<ref>{{cite book |title=Black Sea Pilot |date=1927 |publisher=[[United States Hydrographic Office]] |page=44 |chapter=Water level variation}}</ref>

[[File:Ice-breaker Captan Demidov.jpg|thumb|An [[icebreaker]] on the Sea of Azov.]]
The shallowness and low [[salinity]] of the sea make it vulnerable to freezing during the winter. [[Fast ice]] bands ranging from 7&nbsp;km in the north to 1.5&nbsp;km in the south can occur temporarily at any time from late December to mid-March. Several ships were trapped in ice in 2012 when it froze over.<ref name=brit12>{{Cite web|url=http://www.odin.tc/2012/azoven.asp|title=Vessels trapped in ice in Azov sea|website=www.odin.tc|accessdate=Jul 29, 2022}}</ref> The ice thickness reaches {{convert|30|–|40|cm}} in most parts of the sea and 60–80&nbsp;cm in the Taganrog Bay.<ref name=k68/> The ice is often unstable and piles up to the height of several metres. Before the introduction of [[icebreaker]]s, navigation was halted in the winter.<ref name=k69>Kostianoy, p. 69</ref>

==Flora and fauna==
Historically, the sea has had rich marine life, both in variety, with over 80 fish and 300 invertebrate species identified, and in numbers. Consequently, fishing has long been a major activity in the area. The annual catch of recent years was 300,000 tonnes, about half of which are valuable species (sturgeon, [[Sander (genus)|pike-perch]], [[bream]], [[Black Sea roach|sea-roach]], etc.).<ref name=k76/> This was partly due to extremely high biological productivity of the sea, which was stimulated by the strong supply of nutrients from numerous rivers feeding the sea, low water salinity, ample heating due to shallow waters and long vegetation period. However, diversity and numbers have been reduced by artificial reduction of river flow (construction of dams), over-fishing and water-intense large-scale cultivation of cotton, causing increasing levels of [[pollution]]. Fish hauls have rapidly decreased and in particular [[anchovy]] fisheries have collapsed.<ref name=k65>Kostianoy, p. 65</ref><ref name=k76/><ref name=k86>Kostianoy, p. 86</ref><ref>{{cite book|url=http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?11262/Alien-invaders-in-our-seas|title=Alien invaders in our seas|last=Battle|first=Jessica Lindström|date=14 February 2004|website=[[World Wide Fund for Nature|WWF Global]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705105841/http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/?11262%2FAlien-invaders-in-our-seas|archive-date=5 July 2014|url-status=live}}<!-- originalurl=http://wwf.panda.org/wwf_news/features/?11262/Alien-invaders-in-our-seas --></ref>

===Plankton and benthos===
[[File:Green algae.jpg|thumb|[[Green algae]] (and other plankton species) are mostly responsible for the colour of the Sea of Azov waters.]]
Because of the shallow waters, the development of aquatic life in the Sea of Azov is more characteristic of a lagoon, and the plankton patterns are rather similar in the open sea and near the shores. Despite its shallowness, the water has low transparency, so bottom plants are poorly developed and most algae are of planktonic type. The sea is characterised by high concentrations of organic matter and long blooming periods. Another specific feature of the sea is the variable salinity – low in the large bays and higher in the open sea, especially near the Kerch Strait. Therefore, the plankton species are distributed inhomogeneously in the Sea of Azov. Although many additional species are brought in from the saltier Black Sea, most of them cannot adjust to the variable salinity of the Sea of Azov, except for the [[euryhaline]] species.<ref name=k77>Kostianoy, p. 77</ref> About 600 species of planktonic algae are known in the Sea of Azov.<ref name=k76>Kostianoy, p. 76</ref> The number of species is dominated by [[diatom]]s and [[green algae]]; [[Cyanobacteria|blue-green algae]] and pyrophites are significant, and [[euglena]] and [[yellow-green algae]] form only 5% of the species. Green algae are mostly responsible for the colour of the sea in the satellite images (see photos above).<ref name=k77/>

Regarding [[zooplankton]], the fresh waters of the Tanganrog Bay are inhabited by [[cladocera]], [[copepod]]a and [[rotifer]]s, such as ''[[Brachionus plicatilis]]'', ''Keratella curdata'' and ''Asplanchna''. Western part of the sea, which is more saline, hosts three forms of ''[[Acartia clausi]]'', as well as ''Centropages ponticus'', [[meroplankton]] and larvae of [[gastropoda]], [[bivalvia]] and [[polychaete]].<ref name=k78>Kostianoy, p. 78</ref>

[[Benthos]] species reside mostly at the sea bottom and include worms, [[crustacean]]s, bottom [[protist]]s, [[coelenterata]], and [[Mollusca|mollusks]]. Mollusks account for 60–98% of the invertebrate biomass at the Sea of Azov bottom.<ref name=k78/>

[[File:Sturgeon.jpg|thumb|[[Sturgeon]]s are among the major and most valuable commercial fish species of the Sea of Azov.<ref name=k76/>]]

===Fish===
There are 183 ichthyofauna species from 112 genera and 55 families in the Sea of Azov region. Among them, there are 50 rare and 19 endangered species, and the sturgeon ''[[Bastard sturgeon|Acipenser nudiventris]]'' is probably extinct in the region.<ref name=k79>Kostianoy, p. 79</ref>

The fauna of the freshwater Taganrog Bay is much poorer – it consists of 55 species from 36 genera and 16 families; among them, three species are rare and 6 are endangered.<ref name=k81>Kostianoy, p. 81</ref>

===Flora===
[[File:Nelumno nucifera open flower - botanic garden adelaide2.jpg|thumb|Lotus.]]
The shores of the Sea of Azov contain numerous [[estuary|estuaries]] and marshes and are dominated by reeds, [[Cyperaceae|sedges]], ''[[Typha]]'' and ''[[Sparganium]]''. Typical submerged plants are [[Charales]], [[Potamogeton|pond weed]], [[Ceratophyllum|hornworts]] and [[Nymphaeaceae|water lilies]]. Also common is [[Nelumbo|sacred lotus]].<ref name=kki/> The number of species is large; for example, the Belosaraysk and Berdyansk spits alone contain more than 200 each. Some spits are declared national [[nature reserve]]s, such as Beglitsk,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.donland.ru/print/info.asp?infoId=17818|script-title=ru:Основные положения о территориальном планировании, содержащиеся в "Схеме территориального планирования рекреационного комплекса прибрежных территорий Азовского моря и Нижнего Дона"|access-date=August 20, 2002|language=ru}}{{dead link|date=May 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
Belosaraysk,<ref name=eco>{{cite web|url=http://ecotour.iatp.org.ua/Nature/donetsk_reg.htm |title=List of nature reserves |access-date=August 30, 2002 |language=ru |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071222072819/http://ecotour.iatp.org.ua/Nature/donetsk_reg.htm |archive-date=December 22, 2007 }}</ref> Krivaya<ref name=eco/> and Berdyansk Spits.<ref name=b1/><ref name=osnova>{{cite book|language=ru|url=http://feht.donntu.edu.ua/strukt/pd/img/index.htm|title=Basics of ecology|publisher=Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine|year=2005|access-date=August 30, 2002|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100426123556/http://feht.donntu.edu.ua/strukt/pd/img/index.htm|archive-date=April 26, 2010|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref name=berd>{{cite web|url= http://www.berdyansk.net/berd/kosa.html |title=Berdyansk Spit|publisher=Web Site of Berdyansk|access-date=August 30, 2002|language=ru}}</ref>

===Fauna===
[[File:Ab bird 023.jpg|thumb|[[Great cormorant]]s and seagulls on the Belosaraysk Spit.]]
Estuaries and spits of the sea are rich in birds, mostly waterfowl, such as wild geese, ducks and seagulls. Colonies of [[Great cormorant|cormorants]] and [[pelican]]s are common. Also frequently observed are swans, herons, [[sandpipers]] and many birds of prey. Mammals include foxes, wild cats, hares, hedgehogs, [[weasel]]s, [[marten]]s and wild boar.<ref name=berd/> [[Muskrat]]s were introduced to the area in the early 20th century and are hunted for their fur.<ref name=kki/>

===Migrating and invading species===
[[File:Rapana Black Sea 2008 G1.jpg|thumb|''[[Veined rapa whelk|Rapana venosa]]'' from the Black Sea.]]
Some ichthyofauna species, such as [[anchovy]], [[garfish]], Black Sea [[merlangius merlangus|whiting]] and [[Esox|pickerel]], visit the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea for spawning. This was especially frequent in 1975–77 when the salinity of the southern Sea of Azov was unusually high, and additional species were seen such as [[bluefish]], [[turbot]], chuco, [[spurdog]], [[Salmo labrax|Black Sea salmon]], [[mackerel]] and even [[corkwing wrasse]], rock hopper, [[European bullhead|bullhead]] and [[eelpout]]. Unlike the Black Sea plankton which does not adapt well to the low salinity of the Sea of Azov and concentrates near the Kerch Strait, fishes and invertebrates of the Black Sea adjust well. They are often stronger than the native species, are used to the relatively low temperatures of the Black Sea and survive winter in the Sea of Azov well.<ref name=k84>Kostianoy, pp. 83–85</ref>

''[[Balanus improvisus]]'' is the first benthos species which spread from the Black Sea in the early 20th century and settled in the Sea of Azov. Its current density{{clarify|date=November 2024}} is 7&nbsp;kg/m<sup>2</sup>. From 1956, ''[[Veined rapa whelk|Rapana venosa]]'' is observed in the Sea of Azov, but it could not adjust to low salinity and therefore is limited to the neighborhood of the Kerch Strait. Several Sea of Azov mollusks, such as [[shipworm]] (''Teredo navalis''), [[soft-shell clam]] (''Mya arernaria''), [[Mediterranean mussel]] (''Mytilus galloprovincialis'') and ''Anadara inaequivalvis'', originate from the Black Sea. Another example of invading species is the Dutch crab ''[[Rhithropanopeus harrisii]]'' which is observed both in saline and freshwater parts.<ref name=k84/>

Formerly three types of dolphins, [[short-beaked common dolphin]], [[common bottlenose dolphin]] and [[harbour porpoise]], regularly visited the Sea of Azov from the Black Sea although the common dolphin usually avoided the basin and Kerch Strait due to low salinity.<ref>{{Cite iucn|url=https://www.iucnredlist.org/species/133729/3875256|title=The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species|access-date=2018-10-25}}</ref> One sub-species of harbour porpoise, ''Phocoena phocoena relicta'', used to live in the Sea of Azov and was therefore called "Azov dolphin" ({{lang|ru|азовка}}, azovka) in the Soviet Union. Nowadays, dolphins are rarely observed in the Sea of Azov. This is attributed to shallowing of the sea, increasing navigation activities, pollution, and reduction in the fish population.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://novosti.dn.ua/details/114488/|language=ru|date=19 February 2010|publisher=Novosti.dn.ua|title=Dolphins are leaving the polluted Sea of Azov}}</ref><ref>{{cite book |last=Klinowska |first=M. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QynOriR1MxEC&pg=PA89 |page=89 |title=Dolphins, porpoises and whales of the world: the IUCN red data book |publisher=IUCN |year=1991 |isbn=978-2-88032-936-5}}</ref>

Various species of [[pinniped]]s and [[beluga whale|belugas]]<ref>Anderson R.. 1992. [https://www.chicagotribune.com/1992/03/12/black-sea-whale-aided-by-activists/ Black Sea Whale Aided By Activists]. [[Chicago Tribune]]. Retrieved on April 21. 2016</ref> were introduced into Black Sea by mankind and later escaped either by accidental or purported causes. Of these, [[grey seal]] has been recorded within Kerch Strait and Sea of Azov.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235948607|title=Grey seal Halichoerus grypus in the Black Sea: The first case of long-term survival of an exotic pinniped|website=www.researchgate.net|accessdate=Jul 29, 2022}}</ref> [[Mediterranean monk seal]]s became extinct in the [[Black Sea]] in 1997,<ref name=iucn>{{cite iucn |author=Karamanlidis, A.|author2=Dendrinos, P.| title = ''Monachus monachus'' | volume=2015 | page = e.T13653A45227543 | year =2015 | doi = 10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T13653A45227543.en }}</ref> and the historic presence of large whales such as [[minke whale]]s in the Black Sea is recorded,<ref name=GreekCetacea>{{cite web|year=2003|title=Current knowledge of the cetacean fauna of the Greek Seas|url=http://cetaceanalliance.org/download/literature/Frantzis_etal_2003.pdf|pages=219–232|access-date=2016-04-21|website=cetaceanalliance.org|archive-date=2008-09-07|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907032339/http://www.cetaceanalliance.org/download/literature/Frantzis_etal_2003.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=BlackSeaWhales>{{Cite web |url=http://smena-online.ru/stories/kity-v-chernom-more |title=Киты в Черном море (cached) |access-date=2021-12-24 |archive-date=2019-02-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203170118/http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache%3ALvWTpr2qpQgJ%3Asmena-online.ru%2Fstories%2Fkity-v-chernom-more&num=1&hl=en&gl=nz&strip=0&vwsrc=0 |url-status=live }}</ref> although it is unclear whether these mammals historically occurred in the Azov basin.

==Economy and ecology==
For centuries, the Sea of Azov has been an important waterway for the transport of goods and passengers. The first modern ironworks in Imperial Russia were located upstream on the [[Kalmius]] River at [[Donetsk]], originally named ''Hughesovka'' ({{Langx|ru|Юзовка}}). It was also important for the transportation of [[iron ore]]s from the mines of the Kerch peninsula to the processing plant of Azovstal in [[Mariupol]] (formerly Zhdanov), Ukraine; this activity stopped after the closure of the mines in the 1990s.<ref>{{cite book|title=Hirnycyj encyklopedycnyj slovnyk, Volume 3|language=uk|publisher=Schidnyj Vydavnyčyj Dim|year= 2004|isbn=978-966-7804-78-7}}</ref> Navigation increased after the construction in 1952 of the [[Volga–Don Canal]] which connected the Sea of Azov with the [[Volga River]] – the most important riverine transport route in the central Russia – thus connecting major cities such as Moscow, [[Volgograd]] and [[Astrakhan]].<ref name=kki/> Currently, the major ports are in [[Taganrog]], [[Mariupol]], [[Yeysk]] and [[Berdyansk]].<ref name=bse1/><ref name=brit>{{cite encyclopedia|url= http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/46968/Sea-of-Azov|title=''Sea of Azov''|encyclopedia=Britannica|access-date=August 30, 2002}}</ref>

Increasing navigation rates have resulted in more pollution and even in ecological disasters. On 11 November 2007, a strong storm sank four ships in the [[Kerch Strait]], in the Russian [[Port Kavkaz|Port of Kavkaz]]. The ships were the Russian [[bulk carrier]]s ''Volnogorsk''; ''Nakhichevan''; and ''Kovel'', and the Georgian ''Haji Izmail'' with a Turkish crew. Six other ships were driven from their anchors and grounded. The tanker {{MV|Volgoneft-139||2}} was broken in two, and the tanker ''Volgoneft-123'' was damaged. As a result, about 1,300 tons of fuel oil and about 6,800 tons of sulfur entered the sea.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kmu.gov.ua/control/en/publish/article?art_id=120257239&cat_id=77866420|title=EU experts to assess ecological situation in Kerch Strait|publisher=Web-Portal of the Ukrainian Government|date= March 18, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.oceanpollution.net/NEWS/Black_sea_Oil_spill.htm|title=Oil Spill Near Black Sea Causes 'Ecological Catastrophe'|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=November 13, 2007|access-date=August 30, 2002|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907054528/http://oceanpollution.net/NEWS/Black_sea_Oil_spill.htm|archive-date=September 7, 2008}}</ref>

Another traditional activity in the sea is fishing. The Sea of Azov used to be the most productive fishing area in the Soviet Union: typical annual fish catches of 300,000 tonnes converted to 80&nbsp;kg per hectare of surface. (The corresponding numbers are 2&nbsp;kg in the Black Sea and {{convert|0.5|kg}} in the Mediterranean Sea.){{citation needed|date=January 2013}} The catch has decreased in the 21st century, with more emphasis now on [[fish farming]], especially of [[sturgeon]].

Traditionally much of the coastline has been a zone of health resorts.<ref name=seas/>

The irrigation system of the Taman Peninsula, supplied by the extended delta of the Kuban River, is favorable for agriculture and the region is famous for its vines. The area of the Syvash lagoons and Arabat Spit was traditionally a centre of a salt-producing industry. The Arabat Spit alone produced about 24,000 tonnes/year in the 19th century.<ref name=kki/><ref name=arabat/>

== Notes ==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
=== Citations ===
{{Reflist}}

=== Sources ===
; Works cited
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book |last1 = Kosarev |first1 = Andrey G. |last2 = Kostianoy |first2 = Aleksey N. |title = The Black Sea Environment |url = https://books.google.com/books?id=IFlARv0gtMoC&pg=PA66 |publisher=Springer |year=2007 |isbn = 978-3-540-74291-3 }}
{{refend}}

== External links ==
{{EB1911 poster|Azov, Sea of}}
* {{Commons category-inline|Sea of Azov}}

{{Clear}}
{{Crimea topics}}
{{List of seas}}
{{Marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Sea of Azov| ]]
[[Category:Bodies of water of Crimea]]
[[Category:Russia–Ukraine border]]
[[Category:European seas|Azov]]
[[Category:Seas of Russia|Azov]]
[[Category:Seas of the Mediterranean Sea|Azov]]
[[Category:Seas of Ukraine|Azov]]
[[Category:Geography of Europe]]