The structure of the Persian Gulf outflow subjected to density variations

Abstract

Oceanographic data and a dynamic model are used to consider the structure of Persian Gulf outflow. This outflow influences the physical properties of Oman seawater which appear in the CTD profiles of the Oman Sea. The observations show that thickness of the outflow, which is banked against the Oman coasts due to the earth rotation, is about 200m with tongues extending east and north that may be due to the internal waves. A simple dynamical model of the outflow based on potential vorticity conservation is used to find the horizontal extension of the outflow from the coast. Typical mass transport estimate by the outflow is about 0.4 Sv, which is larger than those reported by others. This may be due to the fact the model is inviscid but the outflow is influenced by the bottom friction. Variability of the outflow structure may reflect the changing ecosystem of the Persian Gulf. Any change of the outflow source, the Persian Gulf Water (PGW), say salinity increase due to excessive evaporation (climate factor) or desalination (anthropogenic factors) of the PGW may change the outflow structure and the product waters in the Oman Sea. Hence, one can test different scenarios of changing the outflow source, the Persian Gulf Water (PGW), say by salinity increase due to excessive evaporation or desalination to estimate changes in the outflow structure and the product waters in the Oman Sea. The results of the model show that these can increase the outflow width and mass transport substantially.