Vertical Distribution And Inter-Relations Of Oxygen And Nutrients In The Arabian Gulf And The Gulf Of Oman In Summer

Abstract

The distribution patterns of oxygen and nutrients (phosphate, nitrate, nitrite and ammonia) were studied along the Arabian shelf of the Arabian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, including the Strait of Hormuz, during September, 1985 and 1986. Frequency distributions of oxygen and nutrients at different levels indicated the occurrence of a layer of minimum oxygen (< 1.5 ml 0-jV) and maximum nitrate (> 12.0 (.tg at NO~3-N/1) at depths below 50 meters. The co-occurrence of low oxygen, low ammonia and high nitrate shows a probability of nitrification process at that relatively deep water. Means and standard deviations were calculated for the measured parameters. Different linear equations were found betwen some parameters; for which the constants were estimated whenever the total correlation coefficients were significant.