Spatiotemporal Analysis of Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) in the Strait of Hormuz and Identifying Abiotic Driving Forces

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Tarbiat Modares University

2 Tarbiat Modares university

Abstract

Algal blooms in Iran's southern waterways, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, have caused substantial economic and environmental damage during the previous two decades. Identifying acceptable remote sensing and numerical models for monitoring algal bloom, effective environmental factors, and analyzing the spatial-temporal pattern of algal bloom from 2003 to 2009 was the goal of this study. Chlorophyll concentration at high levels was considered as the major characteristic to indicate algal bloom, and its interaction with environmental factors such as sea surface temperature, salinity, aerosol optical thickness, and wind speed was explored for this purpose. Temperature and salinity were seen to be the most critical factors, with 22-27 ° C and 37.5 ps psu being the optimal temperature and salinity ranges for algal growth in the region, respectively. Between November and February, algal blooms are most likely to develop. Algal blooms are also more prevalent in the northern and central parts of the Strait of Hormuz than in other part. The results of this study can play an important role in preventing and controlling the damage caused by algae blooms in the region by developing early warning models.

Keywords

Journal of Environmental Studies
Volume 48, Issue 2
July 2022
Pages 125-152

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