Subsurface Highly Saline Water Variability in the Gulf of Oman

This paper shows the analysis of subsurface highly saline water (SHSW) variability in the gulf of oman (GOO) by examination of Argo floats datasets. The SHSW is illustrated by the core depth (the depth where the maximum salinity pattern occurs). For an accurate description of the core depth, the region is split into three distinct zones: western, central, and eastern. These three zones display apparently different variability patterns. The SHSW is most pronounced in the western and central zones (around 24-25°N, 57-59°E), where the core depth appears at about 150-350 m with a salinity maximum above 38 psu. The presence of SHSW in the western and central zones indicates the intrusion of highly saline water in the subsurface layer of the Persian Gulf via the Strait of Hormuz. The intrusive layer of high salinity water dissipates eastwards mainly due to mixing and the Arabian Sea currents. This intrusive layer of higher salinity is like a "tongue" of water that is flowing out of the Persian Gulf through the Strait of Hormuz into the GOO and then further into the Arabian Sea. Our analysis results are based on recent datasets and will be equally utilized in developing a numerical model to forecast the future salinity trends and climate change in the GOO and surrounding regions.