A numerical study of thermocline (case study: persian gulf)

Persian Gulf, as an important biological aquatic basin in Middle East, joints via Hormoz Strait to Oman Sea and Indian Ocean. Tide, wind, precipitation, solar radiation and evaporation are main phenomena regarding the oscillation trend of water quality variation in mentioned basin. Moreover, the flow entrance from Arvand River to Persian Gulf influences aforesaid phenomenon, extensively. This research bases on Mt. Mitchell statistics collected in NOAA research vessel observation through the Persian Gulf, Strait of Hormoz and Gulf of Oman. Investigating the variation of shallow water conditions in aforesaid aquatic basin; we analyzed the regional observations and measurements in comparison with the output of a numerical model which has been developed based on Navier Stokes partial differential equations. The results argue that baroclinicity and stratification of fluid column are two important events occur and change in Persian Gulf seasonally. Based on our obtained results, we are convinced about creation and existence of more baroclinicity and turbulence in north-eastern coasts of this aquatic basin in comparison with deeper parts; and this event originates from effects of internal flow from Arvand River, related bed stresses and situation and direction of wind sources. Also the results showed, by applying north-western wind in winter to summer transition period, the fresher inflow can penetrate much further into the Gulf and lack of wind induced mixing and solar radiation that lead to the thermocline formation and its development from winter to summer.