Report B, general biological oceanographic data from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman

Abstract

Quantitative phytoplankton (31 samples) and zooplankton (23 samples) collections were made throughout the Persian Gulf and at several places in the Gulf of Oman in spring 1977. In addition, 34 neuston tows were made in these areas. Approximately 100 species of phytoplankton were identified. Their numerical abundance ranged from 200 to 42,000 cells per liter. Diatoms were the most diverse taxa while coccolithophores were generally the dominant species numerically. Zooplankton biomass ranged from .11 to 2.00 cc/m3 and .52 to 2.27 cc/m3 in the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman respectively. Significantly higher volumes were recorded from the Gulf of Oman. The numerical abundance of zooplankton varied from 79 to 5098/m3. Copepods comprised more than 50% of the zooplankton in over one-half of the collections from the Persian Gulf. Higher zooplankton volumes occurred in the Central Persian Gulf. There was no significant differences in the quantities of zooplankton between day and night. Fourteen species of pontellid copepods were identified in neuston samples from the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman, including 10 species that represent new records for the Persian Gulf. Information on tar balls are summarized in an Appendix to this report.