Hydrodynamic characterization and modeling of the Arabian Gulf

Studying and understanding the hydrodynamic conditions of the Arabian Gulf have received growing interest over the last few decades. This is attributed to the strategic importance of the area, as it is used in transporting most of the oil produced from the Gulf countries in addition to being the main source of desalination water that such countries rely on heavily. Yet, only few comprehensive studies have been conducted to fully characterize and interpret the hydrodynamics of the Arabian Gulf. The current study is one of those efforts directed towards the understanding of water dynamics in the Arabian Gulf. This has been achieved by virtue of three-dimensional numerical modeling supported by field measurements conducted recently in the southern shelf to verify the output results. The southern shelf refers to the southern region of the Arabian Gulf, bounded from the west by the Qatar Peninsula and from the south by the United Arab Emirates. The utilized numerical model employs a rectilinear grid system with parallel layers and uses explicit technique in solving the continuity, momentum, and heat/solar-transferee governing equations. The model employs typical seasonal wind fields developed via combining Hellerman historical data averaged over the last 30 years with other data recorded recently in the southern shelf. Salinity and temperature fields are also incorporated in the simulation model, considering the Mt. Mitchell National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration data complemented with field measurements in the southern shelf. The conducted field measurements include tidal records at three stations and current measurements at one station and are found to reasonably agree with the simulated results.