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The circulation of the Persian Gulf: a numerical study
1School of Chemistry, Physics and Earth Sciences, Flinders Research Centre for Coast and Catchment Environments, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
2Khorramshahr University of Nautical Sciences & Technology, Khorramshahr, Iran
Abstract. We employ a three-dimensional hydrodynamic model (COHERENS) to study the circulation and water mass properties of the Persian Gulf, which is a large inverse estuary. Our findings suggest that the Persian Gulf experiences a distinct seasonal cycle in which a Gulf-wide cyclonic overturning circulation establishes in spring and summer, but this disintegrates into mesoscale eddies in autumn and winter. Establishment of the Gulf-wide circulation coincides with establishment of thermal stratification and strengthening of the baroclinic exchange circulation through the Strait of Hormuz. The latter is associated with winter cooling of extreme saline (>45 psu) water in shallow regions along the coast of United Arab Emirates. To validate the model results, we present a detailed comparison with observational evidence.
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Citation: Kämpf, J. and Sadrinasab, M.: The circulation of the Persian Gulf: a numerical study, Ocean Sci. Discuss., 2, 129-164, 2005. Bibtex EndNote Reference Manager
