The intrusion of sea water into the Don Delta during the low-water period

A decrease of freshwater flow of the Don River during the period of severe low water flow observed in recent years, the growth of salinity of the Sea of Azov and Taganrog Bay, and sea level rise are accompanied by an increase in the number and intensity of dangerous salt water intrusions into the Don Delta. Retrospective analysis of the inflow of salt water into the delta shows an increase in salinity at the same levels of water rise during surges. This is especially clearly manifested in the lowest water years, when the frontal zone of the salinity gradient in Taganrog Bay approaches the delta coastline. The results of the analysis of the penetration range of salt water into the branches of the Don Delta allow us to state that changes in natural conditions have led to an increase in the distance to which salt water penetrates by 2–3 times compared to the 20th century.