Introduction

•  The Sea of Azov is an inland sea in Eastern Europe, between Russia and Ukraine.
•  Meanwhile, the Red Sea is a semi-enclosed inlet (or extension) of the Indian Ocean between the continents of Africa and Asia.
• These are two distinct water bodies with very different features.

Red Sea

Sea of Azov

Sea of Azov

Sea of Azov

• Sea of Azov is connected to Black Sea by a narrow strait. Thus, making it a zone of mixing between riverine and Black Sea waters. Showing low salinity ranging from 10-12 psu.
•  It is the shallowest sea in the world with average depth of 7 meters and maximum 14 meters.
• Being the shallowest, the changes in temperature are strongly manifested. The shallow water provides rapid propagation of wind and mixing of different levels of water, equalizing the temperature distribution.
•  Diatoms, various Algae, Euglena and Pyrophytes feature high species diversity. The principal being the planktonic algae which impacts the color of water and supports vast quantity of fish, acting as a habitat as well as a breeding spot for many

Red Sea

Red Sea

• The Red Sea, connected to the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean, has an average depth of 2211 meters and maximum depth of 3040 meters.
•  Studies reveal the Red Sea to have one of the warmest and saltiest water in the world with year-round high UV radiations. The surface salinity rises to 41 psu.
• Normally, the sea is an intense blue-green; occasionally, the blooms of the algae Trichodesmium erythraeum give the sea a reddish-brown color.
• The Red Sea harbors approximately 25 hot anoxic brine pools, which harbor a diverse range of halophilic and thermophilic bacterial and archaeal communities.