Background
The Barents Sea is a sub-Arctic ecosystem located between 70 and 80ºN. It connects with the Norwegian Sea to the west and the Arctic Ocean to the north. The average depth is 230 m and the maximum depth is approximately 500 m at the western entrance. The general pattern of circulation (Figure 2.1.1) is strongly influenced by this topography, and is characterised by inflow of relatively warm Atlantic water, and coastal water from the west. This current divides into two branches: 1) a southern branch that flows parallel to the coast and eastwards towards Novaya Zemlya; and 2) a northern branch that flows into the Hopen Trench. The Coastal Water has more fresh-water runoff and a lower salinity than the Atlantic water; it also has a stronger seasonal temperature signal. In the northern region of the Barents Sea, fresh and cold Arctic waters flow from northeast to southwest. Atlantic and Arctic water masses are separated by the Polar Front, which is characterised by strong gradients in both temperature and salinity. There is large inter-annual variability in ocean climate related to variable strength of the Atlantic water inflow, and exchange of cold Arctic water. Thus, seasonal variations in hydrographic conditions can be quite large.
The aim of this chapter, is to give a background description of the different human activities as they are generally performed in the Barents Sea. The general impact that these activities have on the ecosystem will be dealt with in a later chapter Human impact and is thus not discussed with here.
