Sound Speed Spatial Modeling in Persian Gulf in a 2001 ROPME Patrol using Geostatistical Techniques

During the 2001 ROPME (Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment) patrol, physical parameters including sound speed were measured in the Persian Gulf. The selected stations for measuring these parameters covered the entire Persian Gulf. Of course, these measurements were discrete (made at stations) in the studied region. Sound speed was spatially modeled using the geostatistical analyst software Arc GIS 9.2 to prepare continuous and high validity maps of sound speed at different depths. These smart maps can be used to predict sound speed at any spatial coordinates in the study area by clicking the mouse pointer. Moreover, analysis of these maps led us to the conclusion that sound speed was highest in the shallower central parts but lowest in the eastern and western parts of the Gulf. The reason for this is the higher temperature and salinity in the central parts and the proximity of the eastern and western parts to the low-salinity waters of the Oman Sea around the Hormuz Strait in the eastern part and Arvandrood in the western part. The deeper waters also had the maximum sound speed around the Hormuz Strait and in the southern shores of the Persian Gulf where the more saline waters of the Gulf poured into the Oman Sea.

Keywords:

Persian Gulf , geostatistics , sound speed , geographical information system (GIS) , spatial modeling