Physical and chemical environment of Khawr Mugsayl, a coastal lagoon in southern Oman

Khawrs of the arid Arabian Gulf are coastal lagoons, typically separated from the sea by a sand bar. This study describes and discusses the physical and chemical environment of a khawr in southern Oman. The physical and chemical conditions of the limnetic zone have been monitored for a period of 12-16 months and these conditions were also determined at five littoral sites for two pre-flood and one post-flood month. Depth profiles of selected parameters such as temperature, pH, salinity and dissolved oxygen were recorded on 2 sampling days during the dry months. The environmental conditions studied have been discussed in relation to the drainage characteristics, local rainfall and the flood event, a major controlling factor.