Temporal-spatial analysis of chlorophyll concentration associated with dust and wind characteristics in the Arabian Gulf

Arabian Gulf is an enclosed shallow basin surrounded by desert and arid areas. The dynamic of physical and biological properties of this water body have not been studied thoroughly by the ocean color and remote sensing community. Harmful algal blooms (HABs) which are known as red tide occurred more frequently in the Arabian Gulf during the last few years. Algal blooms are oceanic plants that called phytoplankton which encompasses different types of species. MODIS satellite images were frequently used to detect HABs in several areas worldwide. Different red tide related parameters such as chlorophyll, FLH, and SST were derived and used to detect and monitor red tide affected areas in this study. The effect of metrological and atmospheric conditions such as wind speed, aerosol concentration and precipitation on red tide activities has been assessed. It was found that dust loading, temperature, wind and nutrients availability have a direct affect on chlorophyll concentrations.