DISTRIBUTION OF OXYGEN AND NUTRIENT SALTS IN THE QATARI WATERS

DISTRIBUTION OF OXYGEN AND NUTRIENT SALTS IN THE QATARI WATERS
H. I. EMARA, M. I. EL-SAMRA AND K. Z. EL-DEEB
Marine Sciences Dept., University of Qatar.
ABSTRACT
The horizontal and vertical dlstri~ltion of oxygen and
the nutrient salts concentrations as well as the atomle
ratios of th~ elements P: N: SI In the Qatarl waters during
1984 were discussed. The mean concentretlon of dissolved
oxygen was higher in February than that of July or
December. The vertical distribution of oxygen showed IllOre or
less uniform values In February which w~re asserted by Its
small vertical gradient. The concentrations of Inorganic
nitrogen species and silicates were higher In February by
two fold than that of July. The atomic ratio of P: 5i was
close to normal values (1:15) except in February which was
considerably high. The ratio P: N was very low with the
exception of the coastal area of the southeastern sE~tlon
of the Qatart waters.