Ecological Systems and Devices Annotation << Back SPECIFIC FEATURES OF HYDROLOGICAL CONDITIONS IN THE SEA OF OKHOTSK, AFFECTING THE INTERNAL WAVE CHARACTERISTICS M.V. Kokoulina, O.E. Kurkina, A.A. Kurkin, A.S. Epifanova, S.A. Epifanov Average seasonal climatological features of density stratification in the Sea of Okhotsk are investigated. Maps of integral stratification index are given. These maps characterize the potential energy required for mixing of a unit volume sea water column. The analysis is performed for summer and winter seasons; it is based on the data of the open international hydrological atlas WOA18. Additionally, volumetric census of the thermohaline structure of water masses for the considered basin was carried out, it is consistent with the previous studies. Stratification index in the proposed form has close functional relation to the kinematic parameters of long linear internal waves, and it can be used for the express estimates of their values. Zones with more pronounced vertical differences in seawater density are characterized by larger values of the stratification index and represent a favorable environment for more intense baroclinic processes with higher density of baroclinic energy flows. This can be used for planning of engineering projects. Keywords: seawater density stratification, hydrological atlas WOA18, watermass structure, volumetric census, stratification index, phase velocity of long linear internal waves, Sea of Okhotsk. DOI: 10.25791/esip.7.2023.1383 Pp. 03-17.