Sergey Gorin: Spatiotemporal Variability of Kamchatka Estuaries

A distinctive feature of Kamchatka’s estuaries is their exceptionally high spatial and temporal variability of all hydrological characteristics compared to the open sea. The dominant controlling factors include river discharge, tidal forcing, and coastal morphodynamics. In Kamchatka, these factors combine in various proportions, giving rise to several types of tidal estuaries, each with its own hydrological and morphological structure.

The principal temporal scales of variability are tidal (semi-diurnal, diurnal, and spring–neap) and discharge-related (synoptic and seasonal), while longer processes with durations up to several years or even centuries also manifest themselves. Spatial variability ranges from hundreds of meters to tens of kilometers.

The study is based on extensive field investigations conducted between 2002 and 2024, complemented by archival and published data. The results contribute to a better understanding of hydrological, geomorphological, and biological processes in river mouths and coastal marine zones, and are of interest to specialists working in hydrology, geomorphology, and estuarine ecology.