Chinese Physics B, Volume. 29, Issue 8, (2020)

Mesoscale eddies and their dispersive environmental impacts in the Persian Gulf

Amin Raeisi1, Abbasali Bidokhti2、†, Seyed Mohammad Jafar Nazemosadat3, and Kamran Lari4
Author Affiliations
  • 1Faculty of Natural Resources and Environment, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 477893855, Iran
  • 2Geophysics Institute, University of Tehran, Tehran 1417614418, Iran
  • 3Department of Water Engineering, Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Center, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71444165186, Iran
  • 4Department of Physical Oceanography, Faculty of Marine Science and Technology, Tehran North Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran 1987973133, Iran
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    As the mesoscale eddies in oceans and semi-enclosed seas are significant in horizontal dispersion of pollutants, we investigate the seasonal variations of these eddies in the Persian Gulf (PG) that are usually generated due to seasonal winds and baroclinic instability. The sea surface height (SSH) data from 2010 to 2014 of AVISO are used to identify and track eddies, using the SSH-based method. Then seasonal horizontal dispersion coefficients are estimated for the PG, using the properties of eddies. The results show an annual mean of 78 eddies with a minimum lifetime of one week. Most of the eddies are predominantly cyclonic (59.1%) and have longer lifetimes and higher diffusion coefficients than the anti-cyclonic eddies. The eddy activity is higher in warm seasons, compared to that of cold seasons. As locations with high eddy diffusion coefficients are high-risk areas by using maps of horizontal eddy diffusion coefficients, perilous times and locations of the release of pollutants are specified to be within the longitude from 51.38°E to 55.28°E. The mentioned areas are located from the Strait of Hormuz towards the northeast of the PG, closer to Iranian coast. Moreover, July can be considered as the most dangerous time of pollution release.

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    Amin Raeisi, Abbasali Bidokhti, Seyed Mohammad Jafar Nazemosadat, Kamran Lari. Mesoscale eddies and their dispersive environmental impacts in the Persian Gulf[J]. Chinese Physics B, 2020, 29(8):

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    Paper Information

    Received: Mar. 21, 2020

    Accepted: --

    Published Online: Apr. 29, 2021

    The Author Email: Bidokhti Abbasali (bidokhti@ut.ac.ir)

    DOI:10.1088/1674-1056/ab96a3

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