Analysis of symbiotic Symbiodinium in scleractinian corals off Northwestern Kish Island,Persian Gulf

The genus Symbiodinium plays an essential role in the resistance and survival of reef‐building corals during temperature anomalies. Coral colonies inhabiting the Persian Gulf (PG) experience extended periods of different stresses. Kish Island is located in the harsh environment of the Northern PG with previously reported bleaching episodes. Samples of six coral species from Northwestern Kish Island were analysed by internal transcribed spacer 2 of ribosomal DNA to identify in hospite Symbiodinium populations. The results showed that lineage D of Symbiodinium was the most prevalent clade among different coral colonies, while clade C was only detected in symbiosis with a single coral species. However, the detected Symbiodinium subclades belonged to two host generalists. The predominance of the stress tolerant Symbiodinium trenchii and subclade C3 could suggest an acclimatization strategy to cope with the hostile environment of the PG.     

Intertidal gastropod assemblages shaped by key environmental variables across the northern Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Omanss

Variations in environmental factors can alter the species distribution pattern in intertidal rocky shores. The Persian Gulf (PG) and the Gulf of Oman (GO) vary substantially with respect to environmental and oceanographic conditions. The abundance and biodiversity of intertidal rocky gastropods in five locations across the northern PG and the GO were compared, and the environmental variables underlying the distribution pattern of these organisms were investigated. A total of 67 gastropod species were identified. The largest average density (294 ind./m²) and diversity (N = 43) for gastropods occurred in the Hotel Lipar station (LIP) located in Chabahar Bay in the GO. Clypeomorus bifasciata (107.43 ind./m²) followed by Cerithium caeruleum (94.67 ind./m²) were the most abundant species. Planaxis sulcatus and Siphonaria spp. occurred in all locations during both sampling occasions. Species richness and abundance of gastropods showed significant differences between LIP and remaining locations. A significant difference was found in assemblage structure across locations. In general, the species richness and density in the locations at GO were significantly larger than those locations in the PG, suggesting that the harsh environmental condition in the PG might be the forcing factor for this diminish. Distinct grouping was observed in both assemblage structure and species composition between locations in the PG and the GO. The spatial and temporal distribution patterns of gastropods assemblages were significantly correlated with variation in salinity and substrate rugosity.     

Benthic foraminifer communities of the Persian Gulf

Eighteen types of benthic foraminifer communities inhabiting depths of 0–200 m are described for the Persian Gulf including the analysis of 269 sampling sites. The species area is mostly localized by the geographical position and bathymetrical features, including the water masses advection, the upwelling, the river discharge, and the concentrations of CaCo₃ and C_org in the bottom sediments.     

Wave height forecasting in Dayyer, the Persian Gulf

Forecasting of wave parameters is necessary for many marine and coastal operations. Different forecasting methodologies have been developed using the wind and wave characteristics. In this paper, artificial neural network (ANN) as a robust data learning method is used to forecast the wave height for the next 3, 6, 12 and 24 h in the Persian Gulf. To determine the effective parameters, different models with various combinations of input parameters were considered. Parameters such as wind speed, direction and wave height of the previous 3 h, were found to be the best inputs. Furthermore, using the difference between wave and wind directions showed better performance. The results also indicated that if only the wind parameters are used as model inputs the accuracy of the forecasting increases as the time horizon increases up to 6 h. This can be due to the lower influence of previous wave heights on larger lead time forecasting and the existing lag between the wind and wave growth. It was also found that in short lead times, the forecasted wave heights primarily depend on the previous wave heights, while in larger lead times there is a greater dependence on previous wind speeds.     

Scleractinian coral communities of Hormuz Island in the Persian Gulf

The abundance and health of scleractinian coral communities of Hormuz Island were investigated. For this purpose, we employed 20 m line intercept transects—12 in the intertidal zone and 15 subtidally to evaluate coral cover and community composition. The estimated dead coral coverage was 6.21%±0.81%, while live coral coverage was 16.93%±1.81%, considered as very poor. Totally, 12 genera were recorded, of which Porites with 11.9%±1.4% live cover was the dominant, while Goniopora had the least cover (0.07%±0.08%). Based on Mann-Whitney U-test, live coral coverage, dead coral coverage, algal coverage, cover of other benthic organisms and abiotic components showed significant univariate differences between zones (p<0.05). The Spearman correlation test between the abundance of biotic and abiotic components indicated significant negative correlation of live coral and sand with zoantharian and significant positive correlation of algae and other benthic organisms with rubble. The reef health indices used for the corals indicated that, in general, the environmental conditions were not suitable, which could be attributed to both natural and anthropogenic factors, the most important of which was zoantharian’ overgrowth on the scleractinian corals in this region.     

Assessment of coral health in the coastal areas of the Persian Gulf

In this study, Zooxanthellae density, chlorophyll a concentration, and mitotic index (MI) were measured in the coral Porites compressa obtained from coastal areas of the Persian Gulf in early February to September 2008. During the summer, zooxanthellae density declined by approximately 30% compared to the winter peak (3,607,849 ± 229,894, n = 15) and reached a minimum of 2,536,732 ± 169,776, n = 15. The highest value of chlorophyll a (0.828 ± 0.043 μg/cm²) was recorded in the south while the lowest (0.604 ± 0.048 μg/cm²) was measured in the north sampling site at the cold season. There was a higher level of MI in the warm season followed by cold > and temperate seasons. The MI were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the warm and cold seasons in comparison with the temperate season. Differences in response may be attributed to the drastic seasonal temperature changes. However, the significant decline found in the north sampling site indicates that anthropogenic stressors may adversely affect coral P. compressa. These results imply that there were negative impacts on coral P. compressa in our study site.     

Interannual variability and seasonal contribution of thermal expansion to sea level in the Persian Gulf

In an attempt to understand the causes of the sea-level seasonal cycle in the Persian Gulf, we investigated the relationships of sea-level data from 11 stations with atmospheric pressure and thermosteric level. Sea level is significantly correlated among all stations. The mean trend in sea level for the Persian Gulf is about 2.34 mm/year. The thermosteric sea-level variability is estimated from temperature profiles at one-degree grid points. Contour maps of thermosteric level show that the height due to thermal expansion is high in summer and autumn, and low during winter and spring. The monthly mean thermostric height ranges from +2.2 cm in July to −2.1 cm in February. The major change in sea level due to the thermosteric level seems to be associated with the large change of the thermohaline circulation in the Persian Gulf. The maximum expansion occurs in summer, and the maximum contraction occurs in winter.Results of the regression analysis demonstrate that from 62% to 90.2% of the variance in the seasonal cycle is due to atmospheric pressure. The inclusion of the thermosteric sea level as a secondary forcing in the regression model improves the variance explained to 78.1–90.7%. The remaining change should be due to the halosteric effect and upwelling. Tide-gauge stations located at the Gulf's head show high correlation with Ekman vertical velocity. There are two distinct tide gauge stations in the Persian Gulf. One is found in the first cyclonic gyre and the other in the second gyre. The inclusion of Ekman upwelling to the model, improves significantly the variations explained as well, from 82.3% to 91.9%.     

Optimization of Bottom Friction Coefficient Using Inverse Modeling in the Persian Gulf

Ocean Science Journal - A practical method for the calibration of the ocean circulation model is introduced using measured water levels along the Persian Gulf coastlines. Dimensional analysis is...     

An Observational and Numerical Modeling of Thermocline Development in the Persian Gulf

An observational and numerical (Princeton Ocean Model) study of the summer thermocline development in the Persian Gulf (PG) shows that as the northwesterly cold winter wind weakens and become warmer, the fresher inflow from Oman Sea penetrates much further into the PG. This is also associated with stronger solar radiation leading to the near surface thermocline development over the whole of the PG. For more realistic monthly averaged wind, the thermocline develops as is indicated by observations. This is particularly marked in the deeper central part in which it grows in depth about 0.2(m) per day. The formation of thermocline decreases the dissolved oxygen in water column due to induced stratification. Over the PG the temperature difference between surface and subsurface increases exponentially from March until May when it levels off, with similar smaller variations for salinity differences than observed.     

Lack of population genetic structure in the marine nematodes Ptycholaimellus pandispiculatus and Terschellingia longicaudata in beaches of the Persian Gulf,Iran

We investigated genetic diversity and population genetic structure of two common benthic nematode species, Ptycholaimellus pandispiculatus and Terschellingia longicaudata, from sandy beaches in the area of Bandar Abbas (Iran), Persian Gulf. Based upon partial mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase c subunit 1 (COI) gene data, 17 and two haplotypes were found for P. pandispiculatus and Te. longicaudata, respectively. Analysis of molecular variance did not reveal a significant population genetic structure for either species. The absence of genetic structuring indicates substantial dispersal and gene flow in our study area. To assess the species structure of Te. longicaudata at a larger geographic scale, we compared 18S rDNA and COI sequences from Iran and the Scheldt Estuary in The Netherlands to ascertain whether they truly belong to the same species. Our data confirmed previous studies that Te. longicaudata likely constitutes a complex of multiple cryptic species, with one of these species having a (near) cosmopolitan distribution.     

Post-Cyclic Behavior of Carbonate Sand of the Northern Coast of the Persian Gulf

The post-cyclic behavior of biogenic carbonate sand was evaluated using cyclic triaxial testing through a stress control method under different confining pressures between 50 to 600 kPa. The testing program included a series of isotropically and anisotropically consolidated, undrained triaxial compression and extension tests on samples of remolded calcareous Bushehr sand. Grading analyses (before and after each test) were used to examine the influence of particle breakage on post-cyclic behavior of Bushehr sand. The particle breakage commonly occurred in these soils even in lower values of confining pressure, yet there was not a clear correlation between the post-cyclic responses and particle breakage. Based on the present study, a concept is suggested for post-cyclic behavior of carbonate sand. It was observed that post-cyclic strength has a good correlation with cyclic stress ratio, type of consolidation, and value of residual cyclic strain. For all specimens, it is clear that the post-cyclic strength is greater than monotonic strength, irrespective of confining pressure and relative density.     

Holocene climate in the Persian Gulf as deduced from grain-size and pteropod distribution

Detailed coarse-fraction analyses have been made of twelve sediment cores from the Persian Gulf (40–100 m water depth) in order to detect Holocene climatic changes.The only indication of such a change was provided by the terrigenous material (i.e., the < 63 μ fraction) carried into the Gulf by rivers. All cores show characteristic variations in the quantity of terrigenous material and alternating fine- and coarse-grained layers.There was no other parameter which could point to variations in climate. This might be due to the fact that the sediments are sorted as a result of reworking by tidal currents (velocities 25–50 cm/sec): fine and light particles are removed. Any climatically-produced variations in amount or size of benthonic and planktonic organisms have probably been obliterated by tidal currents. The importance of this factor varied with time: during increased terrigenous supply, tidal currents modified the sediment surface for only short periods and a fine-grained layer was, therefore, deposited. A lesser supply of terrigenous material, on the other hand, resulted in the deposition of a coarse-grained layer.Contemporaneous sedimentation of layers with much terrigenous material (fine-grained layer) and with little terrigenous material (coarse-grained layer) is suggested. Observed petrographic variations are presumably due to large-scale changes of climate and not to local sedimentary variations (including shifts of river-mouth processes).Accordingly, the cores were correlated by examining the percentage of coarse fraction and the median diameter of the sand fraction. The assumption is that the higher the percentage of coarsegrained material, the lower the amount of terrigenous material transported into the Persian Gulf.In support of this correlation, another parameter - varying independently from grain size within one core - was examined: the species composition of pteropod shells. These quantitative changes could also be correlated, because there were different core sections with different species compositions.Correlation of the cores by grain size and by pteropod species provides the same results.Four different climatic zones could be distinguished between the lower and the upper part of the Holocene: a relatively arid period at about 9000 years B.P. was succeeded by a more humid period; this then was followed by a period of less rainfall and finally a period during the Late Holocene when rainfall increased again. This sequence is comparable to the established European climate chronology.     

Monitoring hawksbill turtle nesting sites in some protected areas from the Persian Gulf

Iranian nesting populations of the critically endangered hawksbill turtle(Eretmochelys imbricate) are some of the most important in the Indian Ocean. In this study, four of the most important hawksbill nesting grounds in the Persian Gulf, situated within three Iranian marine protected areas, were surveyed during nesting season,including Nakhiloo, Ommolgorm and Kharko Islands and the mainland beaches of the Naiband Marine-Coastal National Park(NMCNP). We present GIS maps of these key nesting grounds and describe sand texture of key nesting zones, along with conservation recommendations. About 9.2(28.3%) out of 32.5 km of all shores surveyed in this study were used by nesting hawksbill turtles follows: Nakhiloo: 1.4 km(52% of potential nesting area);Ommolgorm: 1.94 km(40%); Kharko: 3.4 km(28%), and NMCNP: 2.46 km(18.9%). The average nesting density was calculated as 131 nests/km at Nakhiloo, 76 nests/km at Ommolgorm, 7 nests/km at Kharko, and 15 nests per km at NMCNP. Highest nesting density was observed in Nakhiloo and Ommolgorm. It is thought that high hawksbill nesting density in these islands seems likely a result of limiting adequate nesting shores rather than the size of population, and also low density in Kharko and NMCNP more related to past and current pressures and low population density. With the exception of Ommolgorm Island, sands at the nesting grounds were well sorted.Grain size indicated that female hawksbill turtles in the Iranian Persian Gulf nest in sands that are generally mixed, with mean grain size ranging from coarse sands(0.4Φ;～0.5–1 mm) to fine sands(2Φ;～0.25 mm). We provide and discuss conservation recommendations and suggestions for future.     

Seasonal Variation of Stratification in the Gulf of Thailand

Intensive hydrographic observations were carried out in the western part of the Gulf of Thailand and the east coastal sea of Peninsular Malaysia in September 1995 and April–May 1996. The characteristics of seasonal variation of oceanic condition in that area are discussed basis of an analysis of observed water temperature, salinity and density distributions in these cruises and NAGA cruises (Yanagi and Takao, 1998a). Stratification is most developed in March–May mainly due to large sea surface heating and weak sea surface wind, which weakened until September–October, vanishing in December–January. The horizontal distribution of bottom cold, saline and heavy water masses, which are found during the stratified season, is governed by the tidal mixing and the water depth. Water exchange between the Gulf of Thailand and the South China Sea becomes large in March–May due to a coupled effect of the intensified estuarine circulation and the Ekman transport by the southwest monsoon. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

春季海州湾临洪河口浮游植物粒级结构及环境因素

2017年4月作者对海州湾临洪河口海域16个站位的常规理化因子以及浮游植物粒级结构进行了采样和分析,结果表明:调查海域盐度和温度均值分别为35.2和11.2℃,均由近岸到外海逐渐增大;悬浮物质量浓度在3.4 mg/L～137.6 mg/L变化,均值为22.8 mg/L,由近岸到外海逐渐减少,水体逐渐清澈; pH均值为8.29,近岸低,外海高; DO均值为9.8 mg/L, COD在0.34 mg/L～6.55 mg/L变化,均值为3.42mg/L,DO和COD分布规律不明显;浮游植物粒级组成以微型与小型浮游植物为主,其叶绿素a质量浓度平均值与范围分别为1.48μg/L(0.68μg/L～3.13μg/L)、9.14μg/L(2.69μg/L～25.50μg/L),且呈现自沿岸河口向外海逐渐递减的趋势;而微微型浮游植物叶绿素a质量浓度平均值仅为0.27μg/L,且分布较不规律;小型浮游植物对浮游植物总生物量的贡献率最大,高达83.89%,微型及微微型浮游植物的贡献率分别为13.60%和2.52%;在相关性分析中,各项环境因子对小型浮游植物的分布有较大的影响,其中悬浮物、pH与小型浮游植物叶绿素a浓度表现出显著相关(P0.05),溶解氧、盐度与小型浮游植物叶绿素a质量浓度呈极显著相关(P0.01),微型、微微型浮游植物的分布与各项环境因子的相关性不明显。     

Coastal management in the Persian Gulf region within the framework of the ROPME programme of action

Persian Gulf is a semi-enclosed sea located in the Middle East and is connected to oceans through the narrow 55-km Strait of Hormuz. The Persian Gulf holds an estimated 57–66% of the world's known reserves of oil. The occurrence of three major battles in the Gulf region during the past three decades has created an atmosphere of commotion and uncertainty. Because of its marine geology, geographical location, and geopolitical sensitivity, coastal management in the Gulf region cannot be considered independently of its vast oil and natural gas reserves and environmentally related matters. The Regional Organization for Protection of Marine Environment (ROPME) forum was established in Kuwait in 1979 and quickly ratified by seven new member states (Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates). Rapid growth of ROPME and shared coastal and marine environmental issues among littoral States have resulted in numerous successful plans laying the basis for future coastal management and development in the Persian Gulf region.Different plans were investigated to reach sustainable coastal management and environmental pollution prevention programmes in the Persian Gulf region and it was concluded that such plans could only be implemented when littoral states prioritize the management schemes in the Persian Gulf region and incorporate them into their own national legislation.Similar to many Regional Sea Programmes, ROPME has faced many drawbacks since its inception. Military conflicts, poor enforcement of protocols, lack of adequate coordination, disharmony among littoral states and lack of sufficient funding have put many coastal management programmes on hold.Demilitarization, enforcement of ROPME resolutions, and implementation of long-term economical growth planning are all part of an integrated coastal management programme that can bring about significant changes in the Persian Gulf area. Despite all existing differences and difficulties, many important tasks have been accomplished in the past two decades. Coastal management issues have been analyzed and well documented by ROPME. With the existing situation in the Gulf region, ROPME can effectively coordinate and implement the following tasks: monitor water quality and coastal habitat, develop and implement a comprehensive pollution prevention scheme, educate the public in terms of coastal preservation, train technical staff, put in place an effective pollution prevention and waste management programme, and establish the basis for an integrated regional coastal zone management plan.     

Preliminary studies on the primary production of north-west Persian Gulf during post-monsoon period

Primary productivity, chlorophyll-a and the euphotic zone depth were determined averagely as 161 mg C (m³ day)^–1, 3.48 mg m^–3 and 6.2 m, respectively, in the north-west Persian Gulf during the post monsoon period in 1975 and 1976.     

Hydrodynamic Tidal Model of the Persian Gulf Based on Spatially Variable Bed Friction Coefficient

The aim of this study is to develop a two-dimensional hydrodynamic tidal model for the Persian Gulf (PG2017) using 2D-MIKE21 software. The advantages of present study is accounting for the spatial variation of bed friction coefficient besides a precise bathymetry together with a 23-year of combined records of satellite altimetry data. We found that the bed friction coefficient has a significant effect on sea level changes in the region under our modeling consideration. Since the tidal behavior in the northern part of the Qeshm Island is significantly different from the other parts of the Persian Gulf, to present a more accurate hydrodynamic tidal model, the Gulf is divided into two regions where the bed friction coefficient is modeled separately for each region. The root mean square value of the differences between the amplitude of dominant constituents; M2, S2, K1, and O1 derived from the PG2017 model and that of 98 altimetry and coastal tide gauge stations are respectively equal to 1.6, 1.9, 2.8, and 1.3?cm. Moreover, comparing the PG2017 model efficiency with the FES2014, OSU12, EOT11a, DTU10, and Admiralty models shows that the PG2017 model has an improvement of 22.1%, 47.2%, 43.2%, 44.2%, and 57.6% in terms of relative error, respectively.     

波斯湾盆地的地质史及沉积建造和含油气性

波斯湾盆地是世界上油气资源最丰富的地区。按不同估计,这里埋藏了全球可采石油储量的55%~68%和超过40%的天然气储量。盆地位于属于两个不同的岩石圈板块———非洲和欧亚板块的伊朗大陆地块与阿拉伯地盾的接触处。在中生代和新生代的交接期它们的碰撞导致形成了扎格罗斯造山褶皱带和在它前面的巨大美索不达米亚山凹陷,后者属波斯湾盆地的组成部分。在显生代和大部分时间内,这个盆地属于古老冈瓦纳被动边缘的组分,后者在古生代向古特提斯海开放,而在中生代则向新特提斯海开放。稳定的凹陷再加上极佳的地形—气候条件促使在该处形成了极厚的…