There are many mysterious places and phenomena on Earth. One of such phenomena can be called a meeting of reservoirs, the waters of which do not mix. Many believe that these are the laws of physics, others consider it an inexplicable anomaly, and still others attribute such a phenomenon to the vagaries of nature.
Jacques Cousteau and the Strait of Gibraltar
In 1967, German scientists tried to find out the reasons why the waters of the Indian Ocean and the Red Sea do not mix in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Jacques Cousteau decided to follow the example of his colleagues and study the immiscibility of the water column of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in the Strait of Gibraltar by analyzing the density and salinity of the waters.
The scientist believed that for many millennia the waters of the two reservoirs should have mixed. But even in those places where the sea and the ocean seem to touch each other, they still retain their distinctive features.
What is the surface tension of water
As it turned out, the reason for the non-mixing of waters from different reservoirs lies in the surface tension, and this is the main parameter of water. In order not to delve into physics: this is the force due to which water molecules can connect with each other, this is how a drop, puddle, jet, etc. appear. And the stronger the surface tension, the less the volatility of the liquid.
Well, for example, alcohol has a very small molecular bonding force, so when it comes into contact with air, it quickly evaporates. Fortunately, water has a very large value for this parameter, so there is still life on our planet.
You can also visually imagine what surface tension is. To do this, take a bowl and slowly pour tea into it to the very brim. For some time, the tea will not overflow, and if you look closely, you can see a thin film on the surface of the drink, which will try to prevent the tea from spilling. This is what happens with reservoirs, each has its own surface tension, which, like a wall, prevents one reservoir from flowing into another.
Where can you see the boundaries between water bodies
In the northernmost part of Denmark, namely in the city of Skagen, the waters of the Baltic and North Seas meet. The Danes call the coastline at Skagen "the end of the world":
- Atlantic Ocean and Caribbean Sea, Antilles
- Rio Negro and Solimões rivers, Brazil
- Uruguay River and its tributary, Argentina
- Green and Colorado Rivers, Utah, USA
- Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers, India
- Jialing and Yangtze rivers, China
- Chuya and Katun rivers, Russia
- Moselle and Rhine rivers, Germany
- Three rivers: Inn, Danube and Ilz, Germany
- Rhone and Arve rivers, Switzerland
By the way, adherents of the Muslim faith are convinced that the reservoirs do not mix because Allah ordered so, because this was written in the Koran even before the moment when the natural phenomenon became known to science. They say that Jacques Cousteau converted to Islam only because he read about the non-mixing of waters in the Koran, and then was able to see all this in reality.
September 29 - World Maritime Day - one of the international holidays in the United Nations system. This day has been celebrated since 1978 by decision of the 10th session of the Assembly of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative Organization (International Maritime Organization).
The seas and oceans carry many secrets that have yet to be discovered by mankind. Some of them, known relatively recently, will be discussed in this material.
According to modern research, in those places where two different seas collide, there is a natural barrier between them. This barrier separates both seas, and therefore each of them has its own water temperature, salinity and density. (1) . For example, the water of the Mediterranean Sea is warmer, saltier and less dense than the water of the Atlantic Ocean. When water from the Mediterranean enters the Atlantic Ocean through the Gibraltar Ridge, it travels hundreds of kilometers and about 1,000 meters deep, retaining its higher temperature, salinity, and lower density. And at this depth, the water of the Mediterranean Sea continues to retain its properties. (2) .
Despite strong waves, powerful currents, ebbs and flows, these seas do not mix and do not pass through this natural barrier, thanks to surface tension. Surface tension is caused by the different degrees of density of sea water. It turns out that there is an invisible water wall separating the waters.
The Holy Quran mentions a barrier between two seas ready to meet, which, however, do not merge with each other. Allah Almighty says about it in the Qur'an (meaning):
“He separated two seas, ready to meet each other. He erected a barrier between them so that they would not merge. (Sura Ar-Rahman, verses 19-20).
The Qur'an also reports on the separation of fresh and salt water, the existence of an "insurmountable zone of separation" and a barrier between them. The Creator says in the Quran (meaning):
“He is the one who divided water into two kinds, one is fresh and drinkable, the other is salty and bitter. And He set up a barrier between them, and an insuperable border." (Sura Al-Furqan, verse 53)
One might ask why the Qur'an speaks of the existence of an "insurmountable dividing zone" when it comes to the separation of fresh and salt water, but does not mention this when it talks about the delimitation of two seas?
Modern science shows that at the mouths of rivers, where the confluence of fresh and salt water occurs, the situation is somewhat different from that observed at the confluence of two seas. Modern science has established that at the mouths of rivers where salt and fresh water meet, there is a "separation zone with a pronounced discontinuous change in density, which separates the two water masses" (3) . The water in this dividing zone differs in salt content from both fresh and salt water. (4) .
These discoveries were made relatively recently using the most modern equipment to measure water temperature, salinity, density, oxygen saturation, etc. The human eye is not able to distinguish between two merging seas. Rather, on the contrary, they appear to us as a homogeneous sea. In the same way, the human eye is not able to see the division of water in the mouths into three types: fresh water, salt water and water in the watershed zone.
(1) Principles of Oceanography, Davis, pp. 92-93.
(2) Principles of Oceanography, Davis, p. 93.
(3) Oceanography, Gross, p. 242. See also Introductory Oceanography, Thurman, p. 300-301.
(4) Oceanography, Gross, p. 244, and Introductory Oceanography, Thurman, p. 300-301.
Not such a rare phenomenon is the visible boundary between communicating bodies of water: two seas, a sea and an ocean, a river and a tributary, etc. And yet, it always looks so unusual that you involuntarily wonder: why do their waters not mix?
1. North Sea and Baltic Sea
The meeting point of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea near the city of Skagen, Denmark. Water does not mix due to different densities.
2. Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
3. Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
The meeting point of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Antilles.
The meeting point of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. On the left is the Caribbean Sea (turquoise water), on the right is the Atlantic Ocean (blue water).
4. The Suriname River and the Atlantic Ocean
The meeting point of the Suriname River and the Atlantic Ocean in South America.
5. Uruguay River and its tributary
The confluence of the Uruguay River and its tributary in the province of Misiones, Argentina. One of them is cleared for the needs of agriculture, the other in the rainy season becomes almost red with clay.
6. Rio Negro and Solimões (section of the Amazon)
7. Mosel and Rhine
The confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers in the city of Koblenz, Germany. Rhine - lighter, Moselle - darker.
8. Ilz, Danube and Inn
The confluence of the three rivers Ilz, Danube and Inn in Passau, Germany. Ilts is a small mountain river (in the 3rd photo in the lower left corner), the Danube is in the middle and the Inn is light in color. The Inn, although wider and fuller than the Danube at the confluence, is considered a tributary.
9. Alaknanda and Bhagirathi
The confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers in Devaprayag, India. Alaknanda is dark, Bhagirathi is light.
10. Irtysh and Ulba
The confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. The Irtysh is clean, the Ulba is muddy.
11. Jialing and Yangtze
The confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers in Chongqing, China. The Jialing River stretches for 119 km. In the city of Chongqing, it flows into the Yangtze River. The clear waters of Jialing meet the brown waters of the Yangtze.
12. Irtysh and Om
The confluence of the Irtysh and Om rivers in Omsk, Russia. Irtysh - muddy, Om - transparent.
13. Irtysh and Tobol
The confluence of the Irtysh and Tobol rivers near Tobolsk, Tyumen region, Russia. Irtysh - light, cloudy, Tobol - dark, transparent.
14. Chuya and Katun
The confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers in the Ongudaysky district of the Altai Republic, Russia. The Chuya water in this place (after confluence with the Chaganuzun River) acquires an unusual cloudy white lead color and seems dense and thick. Katun is clean and turquoise. Combining together, they form a single two-color stream with a clear boundary and flow for some time without mixing.
15. Green and Colorado
The confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA. Green is green and Colorado is brown. The channels of these rivers run through rocks of different composition, which is why the colors of the water are so contrasting.
16. Rona and Arv
The confluence of the Rhone and Arves in Geneva, Switzerland. The river on the left is the transparent Rhone, which emerges from Lake Leman. The river on the right is the muddy Arve, which is fed by the many glaciers of the Chamonix valley.
All seas and oceans and rivers on Earth communicate with each other. The level of the water surface is the same everywhere.
But you rarely see such a border. This is the border between the seas.
And the most amazing mergers are truly those where a contrast is visible, a clear boundary between the seas or flowing rivers.
North Sea and Baltic Sea
The meeting point of the North Sea and the Baltic Sea near the city of Skagen, Denmark. Water does not mix due to different densities. The locals call it the end of the world.
Mediterranean Sea and Aegean Sea
The meeting point of the Mediterranean Sea and the Aegean Sea near the Peloponnese peninsula, Greece.
Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
The meeting point of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Strait of Gibraltar. Water does not mix due to differences in density and salinity.
Caribbean Sea and Atlantic Ocean
The meeting point of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean in the Antilles region
The meeting point of the Caribbean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean on Eleuthera Island, Bahamas. On the left is the Caribbean Sea (turquoise water), on the right is the Atlantic Ocean (blue water).
Suriname River and Atlantic Ocean
The meeting point of the Suriname River and the Atlantic Ocean in South America
Uruguay and tributary (Argentina)
The confluence of the Uruguay River and its tributary in the province of Misiones, Argentina. One of them is cleared for the needs of agriculture, the other in the rainy season becomes almost red with clay.
Gega and Yupshara (Abkhazia)
The confluence of the Gega and Yupshara rivers in Abkhazia. Gega is blue, and Yupshara is brown.
Rio Negro and Solimões (cf. section of the Amazon) (Brazil)
The confluence of the Rio Negro and Solimões rivers in Brazil.
Six miles from Manaus in Brazil, the Rio Negro and Solimões join but do not mix for 4 kilometers. Rio Negro has dark water, while Solimões has light water. This phenomenon is explained by the difference in temperature and flow rate. Rio Negro flows at a speed of 2 kilometers per hour and a temperature of 28 degrees Celsius, and Solimões at a speed of 4 to 6 kilometers and a temperature of 22 degrees Celsius.
Mosel and Rhine (Germany)
The confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers in the city of Koblenz, Germany. The Rhine is lighter, the Moselle is darker.
Ilz, Danube and Inn (Germany)
The confluence of the three rivers Ilz, Danube and Inn in Passau, Germany.
Ilts is a small mountain river (on the 3rd photo in the lower left corner), the Danube in the middle and the Inn of light color. The Inn, although wider and fuller than the Danube at the confluence, is considered a tributary.
Kura and Aragvi (Georgia)
The confluence of the Kura and Aragvi rivers in Mtskheta, Georgia.
Alaknanda and Bhagirathi (India)
The confluence of the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers in Devaprayag, India. Alaknanda is dark, Bhagirathi is light.
Irtysh and Ulba (Kazakhstan)
The confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba rivers in Ust-Kamenogorsk, Kazakhstan. The Irtysh is clean, the Ulba is muddy.
Thompson and Fraser (Canada)
The confluence of the Thompson and Fraser rivers, British Columbia, Canada. The Fraser River is fed by the waters of the mountains and therefore has more muddy water than that of the Thompson River flowing through the plains.
Jialing and Yangtze (China)
The confluence of the Jialing and Yangtze rivers in Chongqing, China. The Jialing River, on the right, stretches for 119 km. In the city of Chongqing, it flows into the Yangtze River. The clear waters of Jialing meet the brown waters of the Yangtze.
Argut and Katun (Russia)
The confluence of the Argut and Katun rivers in the Ongudai district, Altai, Russia. Argut is muddy, and Katun is clean.
Oka and Volga (Russia)
The confluence of the Oka and Volga rivers in Nizhny Novgorod, Russia. On the right - Oka (gray), on the left - Volga (blue).
Irtysh and Om (Russia)
The confluence of the Irtysh and Om rivers in Omsk, Russia. The Irtysh is cloudy, the Om is transparent.
Amur and Zeya (Russia)
The confluence of the Amur and Zeya rivers in Blagoveshchensk, Amur Region, Russia. On the left is Amur, on the right is Zeya.
Big Yenisei and Small Yenisei (Russia)
The confluence of the Greater Yenisei and the Lesser Yenisei near Kyzyl, Tyva Republic, Russia. On the left is the Big Yenisei, on the right is the Small Yenisei.
Irtysh and Tobol (Russia)
The confluence of the Irtysh and Tobol rivers near Tobolsk, Tyumen region, Russia. Irtysh - light, muddy, Tobol - dark, transparent.
Ardon and Tseydon (Russia)
The confluence of the Ardon and Tseydon rivers in North Ossetia, Russia. The muddy river is the Ardon, and the light turquoise, clear river is the Ceydon.
Katun and Koksa (Russia)
The confluence of the Katun and Koksa rivers near the village of Ust-Koksa, Altai, Russia. On the right, the Koksa River flows, it has a dark color of water. On the left - Katun, water with a greenish tint.
Katun and Akkem (Russia)
The confluence of the Katun and Akkem rivers in the Altai Republic, Russia. Katun is blue, Akkem is white.
Chuya and Katun (Russia)
The confluence of the Chuya and Katun rivers in the Ongudaysky district of the Altai Republic, Russia
The waters of the Chuya in this place (after confluence with the Chaganuzun River) acquire an unusual cloudy white lead color and seem dense and thick. Katun is clean and turquoise. Combining together, they form a single two-color stream with a clear boundary, and, for some time, flow without mixing.
Belaya and Kama (Russia)
The confluence of the Kama and Belaya rivers in Agidel, Bashkiria, Russia. The Belaya River is blue, and the Kama is greenish.
Chebdar and Bashkaus (Russia)
The confluence of the Chebdar and Bashkaus rivers near Mount Kaishkak, Altai, Russia.
Chebdar blue, originates at an altitude of 2500 meters above sea level, flows through a deep gorge, where the height of the walls reaches 100 meters. Bashkaus at the confluence is greenish.
Ilet and mineral spring (Russia)
The confluence of the Ilet River and a mineral spring in the Republic of Mari El, Russia.
Green and Colorado (USA)
The confluence of the Green and Colorado Rivers in Canyonlands National Park, Utah, USA. Green is green and Colorado is brown. The channels of these rivers run through rocks of different composition, which is why the colors of the water are so contrasting.
Ohio and Mississippi (USA)
The confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, USA. Mississippi is green and Ohio is brown. The waters of these rivers do not mix and have a clear boundary at a distance of almost 6 km.
Monongahela and Allegheny (USA)
The confluence of the Monongayela and Allegheny rivers merge into the Ohio River at Pittsburgh Pennsylvania, USA. At the confluence of the Monongayela and Allegheny rivers, they lose their names and turn into the new Ohio River.
White and Blue Nile (Sudan)
The confluence of the White Nile and Blue Nile rivers in Khartoum, the capital of Sudan.
Araks and Akhuryan (Turkey)
The confluence of the Araks and Akhuryan rivers near Bagaran, on the Armenia-Turkey border. On the right is Akhuryan (clean water), on the left is Araks (turbid water).
Rhone and Sona (France)
The confluence of the rivers Saone and Rhone in Lyon, France. The Rhone is blue and its tributary the Sona is grey.
Drava and Danube (Croatia)
The confluence of the Drava and Danube rivers, Osijek, Croatia. On the right bank of the Drava River, 25 kilometers upstream from the confluence with the Danube, is the city of Osijek.
Rhone and Arve (Switzerland)
The confluence of the Rhone and Arves in Geneva, Switzerland.
The river on the left is the transparent Rhone, which emerges from Lake Leman.
The river on the right is the muddy Arve, which is fed by the many glaciers of the Chamonix valley.
It is said that the Atlantic and Pacific oceans do not mix their waters. It is quite difficult for us to understand how the same liquids cannot combine. In this article, "Me and the World" will try to figure it out.
Of course, to say that the waters of the oceans do not mix at all is wrong. So why is the line between them so clearly visible? In the place where they touch the different direction of the currents, as well as the difference in the level of density of water and the amount of salt in it. On the line of their intersection, it is even clearly visible that the colors of the reservoirs are completely different. This joint is clearly visible in the photo.
The well-known scientist Jacques Cousteau at one time spoke about the directions of currents, when the force of the earth at an angle to the axis of rotation does not allow the waters to completely mix at the place of their meeting. But what is interesting is that this phenomenon was written in the Koran 1400 years ago.
The invisible confluence of the oceans occurs only in the Southern Hemisphere, since in the Northern they are separated by continents.
Such clear boundaries can be seen not only at the point where the oceans meet, but also the seas, and between river basins. For example, the North and Baltic Seas do not mix due to the different densities of their waters.
At the confluence of the Irtysh and Ulba, in the first river the water is clear, in the second it is muddy.
In China: the clean Jialing River flows into the brown-dirty Yangtze.
In two rivers, having traveled almost 4 km, they never mix. This is due to the different speed of their currents and temperature. Rio Negro is slower and warmer, while Solimões flows faster but cooler.
And there are many such examples. From the outside, all this seems mystical until an exact explanation comes.
Video: the border of the meeting of two oceans
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