The world’s oceans occupy 71% of the Earth’s surface. In contrast, the Arabian Gulf is small at only 0.072% of the total seawater area, and my playground.
Essentially the Arabian Gulf is an enclosed area of water with evaporation (due to temperature and wind) exceeding the freshwater input from the Rivers Tigris and Euphrates; hence a continuous inflow of seawater from the Gulf of Oman via the Strait of Hormuz. This flow increases the salt level within the Arabian Gulf, accounting for the high salinity levels present. In other words – IT IS SO SALTY WE FLOAT!
OK, so I can handle the salty sea when I dive in…but the water temperature! That is really something else. Reaching 36 degrees celsius (97 F), legs and arms are stung by the watery combustion. Facial skin smarts when submerged. Refreshing it is not. However, should you have a wound that needs a saline bath, then the Gulf of Arabia is a great nurse. Dive right in!
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