The following excerpts are taken from Reference 1^ Section on The 

 Physical Conditions of the Iranian Gulf, pages 11-12. 



"Of the physical conditions of the Iranian Gulf the following 

 statements may te given here. In spite of the large quantities of 

 fresh water that are carried into the Gulf through Shatt al Arab 

 "by the rivers Euphrat, Tigris and Karun the salinity Is very high, 

 averaging about J+O-UlX". This is undoubtedly due to the very rapid 

 evaporation from the surface of the sea, particularly in summer, 

 for during the hot season the temperature of both air and water is 

 very high. At the Bahrein Islands, for instance, the sea water lias 

 been found to have a temperature of 36.5 °C. (A. Mohr). In winter, 

 however, the temperature is much lower, the average mostly being 

 15-l8°C. in the open sea. The . , , temperatures and salinities 

 measured during the cruise ( appear in Appendix A. Ed. ) ... 

 salinities being determined by means of the areometer ... 



"In other words the highest salinity, h2.6Xo, -was measured at 

 tbe Bahrein Islands, the lowest one, 37. 2-37. 3X (Stations kj, 5I 

 and 58), in the Strait of Hormuz, Generally speaking the salinity 

 of the Gulf seems to decrease in an easterly direction: between 

 tbe Strait of Hormuz and Bushlre it was about 38%=, at Bushire about 

 1+0 Xo, and at the Island of Kharg about l+lX^ . Even in the estuary at 

 Bender Shahpur (St. 79) It was found to be Ul.2%„ . 



"The lowest temperature of the sea water, lU.9°C., was observed 

 in the locality last mentioned during a windy and rainy period in 

 the month of February. In March the temperature of the surface rises 

 to 18-22°, in April to 23-2l+°C." 



Figure III-l shows surface temperatures for February, March and 

 April compiled from Blegvad and Schott by K. 0. Emery. 



32 



