HYDROGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE GULF OF SUEZ AND THE ESTIMATION OF ITS WATER AND SALT BUDGETS

HYDROGRAPHIC FEATURES IN THE GULF OF SUEZ AND
THE ESTIMATION OF ITS WATER AND SALT BUDGETS
By
G.F. SOLIMAN*
*National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
Key Words: Gulf of Suez, water and salt budgets.
ABSTRACT
The available oceanographic data in the Gulf01Suez were used to
illustrate its hydrographic features. Current observations recorded
during the period June-July, 1981 were used to estimate its water
budget. The results showed that the water salinity ofthe Gulfis usually
higher than that of the Red Sea with a clear gradient from the south
(40.2-40.5 %0) to the north (42.0-42.7 %0), with more-stronger gradient
in its central part. The water structure appears to compose of two
layers; the warm less saline light water at the surface and the cool high
saline dense water near the bottom. Instead ofthe unidirectionalflow
that directed northwards along the Gulf; eddies, meanders and
transverse currents seem to occur mostly over the whole basin. After the
deepening and widening of the Suez Canal and its lakes, the salinity in
the Gulf andparticularly in the Suez Bay showed a significant decrease
which did not exceed 42.7 %0 all the year round.
The water in the Gulf of Suez could He classified into three water
masses: the Suez Bay and the northern part of the Gulf (with
temperature and salinity ranges 01(16.0-28.0 ‘C and 41.8-42.6 %0 ),. the
central part (18.0-26.0’ C and 40.8-41.4 %0 ) ‘and the southern part
(20.0-28.0’ C and 40.2-40.5 %0).
The results obtained from the salt balance formula and the current
observations, -showed that the water exchange with the Red Sea is about