Evidence of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) along the northern Persian Gulf: Insights from physicochemical profiles and structural geology

نوع مقاله : مقاله پژوهشی

نویسندگان

1 1. Department of Minerals and Groundwater Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran

2 Department of Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran

چکیده

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) plays a significant role in the hydrological and environmental balance of arid coastal systems like the Persian Gulf. This study investigates the presence of SGD signals along the northern coastline of the Persian Gulf using seawater physicochemical data from the 1992 Mt. Mitchell oceanographic survey—prior to major anthropogenic impacts such as desalination activities. A total of 74 vertical seawater profiles were analyzed, each containing high-resolution measurements of salinity (36.59–43.93 psu), temperature, and dissolved oxygen (1.31–5.85 ppm) from the surface to seabed. The results reveal unusual stratification patterns—such as freshening near the seabed and increased oxygen levels—particularly near the Kazerun-Qatar (KQF), Hendijan-Bahregansar (HBF), and Karehbas (KMF) fault zones. These anomalies strongly suggest offshore freshwater inflow, likely controlled by deep fault systems extending from the Zagros Mountains. By using historical, pre-desalination datasets, this study minimizes confounding from modern effluents and introduces a novel, regional-scale approach for detecting SGD in the Persian Gulf. The findings highlight the possible influence of deep-seated fault zones in offshore SGD, especially in the western basin. These insights offer a novel approach to water resource assessment and SGD monitoring across the Zagros domain.

کلیدواژه‌ها

موضوعات

عنوان مقاله [English]

Evidence of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) along the northern Persian Gulf: Insights from physicochemical profiles and structural geology

نویسندگان [English]

  • Yaser Nikpeyman 1
  • Mohsen Ehteshami-Moinabadi 2
  • Koosha Tamimi 2
1 1. Department of Minerals and Groundwater Resources, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran 1983969411, Iran
2 Department of Sedimentary Basins and Petroleum, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, Iran
چکیده [English]

Submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) plays a significant role in the hydrological and environmental balance of arid coastal systems like the Persian Gulf. This study investigates the presence of SGD signals along the northern coastline of the Persian Gulf using seawater physicochemical data from the 1992 Mt. Mitchell oceanographic survey—prior to major anthropogenic impacts such as desalination activities. A total of 74 vertical seawater profiles were analyzed, each containing high-resolution measurements of salinity (36.59–43.93 psu), temperature, and dissolved oxygen (1.31–5.85 ppm) from the surface to seabed. The results reveal unusual stratification patterns—such as freshening near the seabed and increased oxygen levels—particularly near the Kazerun-Qatar (KQF), Hendijan-Bahregansar (HBF), and Karehbas (KMF) fault zones. These anomalies strongly suggest offshore freshwater inflow, likely controlled by deep fault systems extending from the Zagros Mountains. By using historical, pre-desalination datasets, this study minimizes confounding from modern effluents and introduces a novel, regional-scale approach for detecting SGD in the Persian Gulf. The findings highlight the possible influence of deep-seated fault zones in offshore SGD, especially in the western basin. These insights offer a novel approach to water resource assessment and SGD monitoring across the Zagros domain.

کلیدواژه‌ها [English]

  • Submarine groundwater discharge
  • SGD
  • fault zone
  • ROPME
  • Persian Gulf

مراجع

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دوره 16، Special Issue - شماره پیاپی 64
Special Issue
آذر 1404
صفحه 133-143

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