| Syvash | |
|---|---|
 Map of Crimea, showing the Syvash in violet | |
.jpg)  Syvash  Syvash  Syvash | |
| Location | Sea of Azov |
| Coordinates | 46°05′N34°20′E / 46.083°N 34.333°E /46.083; 34.333 |
| River sources | Salgir |
| Basin countries |  Ukraine |
| Max. length | 200 km (120 mi) |
| Max. width | 35 km (22 mi) |
| Surface area | 2,560 km2 (990 sq mi) |
| Average depth | 0.5–1 m (1.6–3.3 ft) |
| Max. depth | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Salinity | 22-87‰ |
| Official name | Central Syvash |
| Designated | 11 October 1976 |
| Reference no. | 115[1] |
| Official name | Eastern Syvash |
| Designated | 23 November 1995 |
| Reference no. | 769[2] |
TheSyvash orSivash[3] (Russian andUkrainian:Сива́ш;Crimean Tatar:Sıvaş,Cyrillic: Сываш, "dirt"), also known as thePutrid Sea orRotten Sea (Russian:Гнило́е Мо́ре,Gniloye More;Ukrainian:Гниле́ Мо́ре,Hnyle More;Crimean Tatar:Çürük Deñiz), is a large area of shallowlagoons on the western edge of theSea of Azov. Separated from the sea by the narrowArabat Spit, the water of the Syvash covers an area of around 2,560 km2 (990 sq mi) and the entire area spreads over about 10,000 km2 (3,900 sq mi). TheHenichesk Strait is its eastern connection to the Sea of Azov. The Syvash borders the northeastern coast of the mainCrimean Peninsula. The central and eastern Syvash were registered as wetlands ofUkraine under theRamsar Convention. Since the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, the entire Syvash has been occupied byRussia.
The Syvash nearly cuts the Crimean Peninsula off from the mainland, serving as a natural border between theKherson region and theAutonomous Republic of Crimea. The long (110 km (68 mi)) and narrow (0.27–8 km (0.2–5.0 mi))Arabat Spit runs to its east, separating it from theSea of Azov. The two bodies are connected in the north at theHenichesk Strait beside the port ofHenichesk. To its west, theIsthmus of Perekop separates it from theBlack Sea and connects Crimea to the mainland.
The Syvash is extremely shallow. The deepest place is about 3 meters (10 ft), with most areas between1⁄2–1 m (1 ft 8 in – 3 ft 3 in) deep. The bottom is covered withsilt up to 5 m (16 ft) thick. Being very shallow, the waters in the Syvash heat up in the summer and produce a putrid smell. The wide area for evaporation also leaves the water extremely salty. The amount of various salts is estimated at 200 millionmetric tons. Several industrial plants harvest the mineral resources of Syvash. The Syvash area is awetland ofinternational importance. The shores are low, slightly sloping, swampy and salty. In summer, the water level of Syvash decreases significantly, revealing barrensolonets soils called "syvashes" by locals.
The Syvash is sometimes divided into the Western Syvash and Eastern Syvash. These are connected to each other by theChongar Strait.
During theRussian Civil War, the Syvash became famous for a surprise crossing by theRed Army during thePerekop-Chongar Operation in November 1920.
The Syvash may appear red in color due to the salt-tolerant micro-algaDunaliella salina.[4]
The eastern parts of the Syvash contain less salt and are home toreeds and other wetland vegetation.[5]
The large islands in the Central Syvash are mainly covered withsteppes consisting offeather grass,tulips,tauric wormwood (Artemisia taurica),sage,crested wheat grass,fescue.[5]
The shores of the Syvash contain a large number ofsalt-tolerant vegetation, includingglasswort,Tripolium,plantains,sea lavender (Limonium caspium),saltbush (Atriplex aucheri).[5]
_p3.162_VUE_DES_LACS_SALES.jpg)
Media related toSyvash at Wikimedia Commons
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