Harmonic tidal current constituents of the western Arabian Gulf from moored current measurements

Abstract

Harmonic tidal current constituents are computed using data obtained from self-recording current meters moored in the western Arabian Gulf. Tidal currents in the study area vary from mixed, mainly semi-diurnal at Station CM1 in the north to mixed mainly diurnal at Station CM3 in the south. Four main harmonic constituents (M2, S2, O1, and K1) govern tidal currents in the study area. The strongest currents were measured at Station CM1, which is near the location of an amphidromic point for M2 and S2 harmonic tidal constituents. At Station CM1, predominantly diurnal tidal elevations exist with mixed, mainly semi-diurnal tidal currents. However, at Station CM3, which is near the location of an amphidromic point for K1 and O1 constituents the opposite is observed i.e., predominantly semi-diurnal tidal elevations exist with mixed mainly diurnal tidal currents. Therefore, extreme care should be taken by designers in interpreting tide data at Station CM1 and Station CM3 to obtain tidal currents.