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The dynamics of the state of the Sea of Azov during the 20th and early 21st centuries is described. The basic factors that form the hydrological regime of the sea are presented. It was revealed that the current state of the Sea of Azov, characterized by a significant positive anomaly of water temperature and salinity, has not previously been noted in the history of the study of the sea. It has been noted that the standard deviation of series of the mean annual values of water salinity and temperature increases, which may indicate an increase in variability of these characteristics in the modern period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of theoretic-probability analogies, a quantitative characteristic of diversity of the river delta, the variance, is proposed. The series of computer experiments with a hydrological model demonstrate that an increase in the variance of the delta structure reduces the intraannual amplitude of fluctuations in salinity of the closing reservoir. The simulations for the Don River and Taganrog Bay (the Sea of Azov) used as the closing reservoir show that modern climatic change and anthropogenic factors reduce the proper functioning of the River Don arms. Therefore, there is a prospect of decrease in the variance of river runoff and, hence, destabilization and increase in the variability of salinity in the closing reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]