Nutrient regimes in a semi-enclosed marginal sea: The Persian Gulf

Abstract

In this study, the results of hydrochemical measurement aboard the RV Kavoshgar Khalij Fars in the Persian Gulf (PG) in September 2018, May, and November 2019 are discussed. Nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, phosphate, and silicate concentrations, salinity, temperature, dissolved oxygen, and pH in the water column of a 1000-km transect in the PG were studied to determine the present status of nutrient regimes of this region. Nitrate, phosphate, and silicate were more concentrated at the bottom layer and showed a maximum just below the thermocline in summer and autumn. Seasonal distribution of nutrient ratios (N:P, N:Si, Si:P) indicates P limitation in autumn, N limitation in spring, P limitation and poor Si in summer throughout the upper layer. The results of this study do not infer eutrophication in the upper layer of the PG waters in autumn and summer.