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Acceleration of warming, deoxygenation and acidification in the Arabian Gulf driven by weakening of summer winds
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  • ZOUHAIR LACHKAR,
  • Michael Mehari,
  • Francesco Francesco Paparella,
  • John A Burt
ZOUHAIR LACHKAR
New York University Abu Dhabi

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Michael Mehari
National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Goddard Space Flight Center
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Francesco Francesco Paparella
New York University, Abu Dhabi Campus
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John A Burt
New York University Abu Dhabi
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Abstract

The Arabian Gulf (AG) exports hypersaline, dense waters into the Sea of Oman (SOO), replaced by fresher inflowing surface waters from the Indian Ocean. We investigate the impact of recent AG warming on its exchange with the SOO and the implications this has on the AG biogeochemistry. Using an eddy-resolving hindcast model simulation, we analyze the hydrography and biogeochemistry of the AG and the SOO from 1980 to 2018. Our study reveals that changes in summer surface winds have accelerated AG warming and weakened it in the SOO, reducing the density gradient and water exchange between the two seas during late summer. This has led to nutrient buildup, increased productivity, and heightened deoxygenation and acidification in the AG. These findings underscore how subtle wind changes can exacerbate the vulnerability of marginal seas to climate change and stress the need to properly represent regional winds in global climate models.
23 Apr 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
25 Apr 2024Published in ESS Open Archive