Assessment of Environmental Parameters in Pre- and Post-Monsoons at Chabahar Bay, Gulf of Oman

This study is the first investigation to assess the variations of physical and chemical characteristics and biodiversity of planktons in offshore water column and chlorophyll-a and b, during the two monsoons at Chabahar Bay, to evaluate the water quality. To this end, 27 surface water samples in pre-monsoon (May, 2012) and totally 60 surface and deep water samples in post-monsoon (December, 2012) were collected from 9 and 10 stations at depths between 3.8 to 13.6 m in Chabahar Bay, respectively. The results showed that water salinity and pH with low variations were relatively higher in post-monsoon. The average of water alkalinity levels in pre- (2.42 +/- 0.02 mmol H+/kg) and post- (2.44 +/- 0.01 mmol/kg) monsoons were comparable to that of oceanic surface water (2-2.5 mmol H+/kg). In this study, 66 phytoplankton genus and species belonging to 13 groups were identified in pre-monsoon. Results demonstrated that nutrients were at higher levels inside the Chabahar Bay. Moreover, the physicochemical parameters of water samples were investigated and compared with international standards and data from other marine ecosystems. The results indicated that the water quality falls within the stipulated range of acceptability and sampling area can be classified as a good, stable, and healthy aquatic ecosystem.