Estimation of the net surface heat flux in the Arabian Gulf based on the equilibrium temperature

The concept of equilibrium temperature provides a direct and easy method to estimate the net heat flux at the air-sea interface compared to the conventional methods where the net surface heat flux is determined based on the balance of incoming solar radiation, net back radiation flux, sensible heat exchange, and the evaporative heat flux. In the northern part of Arabian Gulf the sea surface temperature is higher than the equilibrium temperature indicating a net loss of heat, whereas in the southern part the sea surface temperature is lower than the equilibrium temperature resulting in the net gain of heat at the airsea interface. The net surface heat flux at the air-sea interface for the Arabian Gulf as a whole is 8 W/m ². This gain of heat in the Arabian Gulf will be dispersed in the water column and then out through the Strait of Hormuz.