Spatial and temporal variability in physicochemical factors of the Western Arabian Gulf in 2017 and 2018

Physicochemical data were collected in Saudi Arabian waters of the Arabian Gulf during summer 2017 and winter to early spring 2018. Temperature and salinity were measured in situ, using a YSI multi-parameter sonde. The photosynthetically active radiation was calculated from satellite measurements (MODIS Aqua). Concentrations of total suspended solids were measured by gravimetric analysis. Macronutrients (nitrite, nitrate, phosphate and silica) were analyzed using segmented flow analysis, while trace metals (copper, iron, molybdenum, nickel, vanadium and zinc) were analyzed by ICP-MS.