Implications of Salt Tectonics on Hydrocarbon Ascent in the Eastern Persian Gulf:Insights into the Formation Mechanism of Salt Diapirs,Gas Chimneys,and Their Sedimentary Interactions

Gas chimneys,salt domes,and faults are vital to the movement of hydrocarbons within geological systems.Accurate identification of these geological features is crucial to modeling hydrocarbon resources.This study explores the processes that have shaped the eastern Persian Gulf,focusing on salt diapir characteristics,origin,and fluid migration.Plate collisions between the Indian,Eurasian,and Arabian Plates have considerably impacted salt tectonics,developing key features such as the Hormuz salt,Qatar-South Fars Arch,and Zagros and Oman orogenic structures.Salt-related features were discerned through two-dimensional seismic data and drilling records,salt movement sequences were reconstructed,and fluid expulsion patterns were delineated using attribute preferences.The results of this study revealed that fractured substrates influenced by regional tectonic forces contribute to the creation of salt diapirs,which serve as conduits for guided fluid transport.Moreover,these results showed that gravity-driven downbuilding mainly controls salt flow,while the circular arrangement of salt structures results from regional stress and interactions between different salt sources.Distinct stress-induced basement incisions compounded by the hindrance of initial salt movement by the Qatar Arch further contribute to the complex salt structure geometry.Crucially,the uplift of the Qatar Arch and stresses from the Oman and Zagros orogenies profoundly affect the salt structure geometry and depositional patterns across diverse regions,resulting in circular salt structures and gas chimneys.This study offers valuable perspectives for oil and gas exploration and provides a comprehensive understanding of the regional dynamics governing salt tectonics and hydrocarbon ascent in the eastern Persian Gulf.

Effects of Neo-Tethyan evolution on the petroleum system of Persian Gulf Superbasin

Considering the Neo-Tethyan tectonic process and the resulting environmental changes,a geodynamic model of“one-way train loading”is proposed to analyze the formation and evolution mechanism of the Persian Gulf Superbasin with the most abundant hydrocarbons in the world.The Persian Gulf Superbasin has long been in a passive continental margin setting since the Late Paleozoic in the process of unidirectional subduction,forming a superior regional space of hydrocarbon accu-mulation.During the Jurassic-Cretaceous,the Persian Gulf Superbasin drifted slowly at low latitudes,and developed multiple superimposed source-reservoir-caprock assemblages as a combined result of several global geological events such as the Hadley Cell,the Equatorial Upwelling Current,and the Jurassic True Polar Wander.The collision during the evolution of the foreland basin since the Cenozoic led to weak destruction,which was conducive to the preservation of oil and gas.Accordingly,it is be-lieved that the slow drifting and long retention in favorable climate zone of the continent are the critical factors for hydrocarbon enrichment.Moreover,the prospects of hydrocarbon potential in other continents in the Neo-Tethyan were proposed.

Ocean Chemistry Revealed by Mineralogical and Geochemical Evidence at the Permian——Triassic Mass Extinction,Offshore the Persian Gulf,Iran

The Upper Permian Dalan Formation and the Lower Triassic Kangan Formation in the Persian Gulf area are mainly composed of shallow marine facies limestone and dolomite.Two subsurface-cored intervals were investigated in order to understand the original mineralogy and paleoceanic conditions.The decreasing trend of Sr concentration in these deposits shows that aragonite was precipitated during the Late Permian and then gradually changed to calcite toward the Permian-Triassic boundary（PTB）.The dissolution rate of aragonite decreased from 60 m below the PTB toward the boundary,with the only exception at 10 m below the Permian-Triassic Boundary（PTB） due to the Permian-Triassic unconformity in this region.The increasing trend of Mg/Ca ratio in a global scale at the end-Permian time shows that the interpreted variation of mineralogy does not result from the change of this ratio.The increasing p（CO2） and decreasing pH are considered to be the main controlling factors.The increase of Ca2＋ at the end-Permian time due to the input of meteoric waters is too little to fully compensate this effect.A local maximum of the Si content just at the PTB confirms the input of runoff waters.

Sea Surface Effects on Sound Scattering in the Persian Gulf Region Based on Empirical Relations

In this paper, sound scattering from the sea surface in the Persian Gulf region is investigated. Chapman-Harris and Ogden-Erskine empirical relations coupled with perturbation theory are implemented. Based on the Ogden and Erskine＇s experiments, sound scattering from the sea surface has three different regimes in which two mechanisms of surface roughness and subsurface bubble clouds are involved. Ogden-Erskine＇s scattering relation which consists of perturbation theory and Chapman-Harris＇s scattering terms are verified by the experimental data of Critical Sea Tests 7. Subsequently, wind speed in the Persian Gulf is provided based on three data bases of Arzanah station, ERA40, and PERGOS. Accordingly, surface scattering strength in the Persian Gulf region is calculated at different grazing angles, frequencies and provided wind speeds. Based on the resulted values of scattering strength, scattered intensity from the sea surface is also studied. These studies indicate that both scattering strength and scattered intensity generally increase as grazing angle, frequency and wind speed increase.

Burial and thermal maturity modeling of the Middle Cretaceous-Early Miocene petroleum system,Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf

The Cretaceous Kazhdumi and Gurpi forma- tions, Ahmadi Member of the Sarvak Formation, and Paleogene Pabdeh Formation are important source rock candidates of the Middle Cretaceous-Early Miocene pet- roleum system in the Persian Gulf. This study characterizes generation potential, type of organic matter, and thermal maturity of 262 cutting samples （marls and argillaceous limestones） from these rock units taken from 16 fields in the Iranian sector of the Persian Gulf. In addition, the burial and thermal histories of these source rocks were analyzed by one-dimensional basin modeling. Based on the total organic carbon and genetic potential values, fair hydro- carbon generation potential is suggested for the studied samples. Based on Tma~ and vitrinite reflectance values, the studied samples are thermally immature to mature for hydrocarbon generation. The generated models indicate that studied source rocks are immature in central wells. The Gurpi and Pabdeh formations are immature and the Ahmadi Member and Kazhdumi Formation are early mature in the western wells. The Pabdeh Formation is within the main oil window and other source rocks are at the late oil window in the eastern wells. The hydrocarbon expulsion from the source rocks began after deposition of related caprocks which ensures entrapment and preserva- tion of migrated hydrocarbon.

The Role of Stratigraphy in Growth Strata Studies: A Case Study of the Early Cretaceous Deposits in the Persian Gulf, SW Iran

The growth strata was investigated in the Early Cretaceous deposits including Fahliyan, Gadvan and Dariyan formations in the Well 3 that is located between Qatar-Fars height and Hormuz Strait in Persian Gulf. This study is based on the lithostratigraphic analysis and microfossils distribution. Lithostratigraphically, the Well 3 is divided into three rock units including Fahliyan, Gadvan and Dariyan. Based on the microfossils content, the age of studied successions is Berriasian to Aptian. The comparison of seismic studies, lithostratigraphic analysis and microfossils distribution show that growth and generation of anticlines construct in the Early Cretaceous. As a result, the Fahliyan, Gadvan and Dariyan rock units have potential reservoir and oil trap.

Comparison of Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in salt tectonics

Compared Kuqa foreland basin with Persian Gulf Basin in development of salt layers, salt tectonics, and the relation between salt tectonics and hydrocarbon, it is concluded that the salt diapirs are relative to hydrocarbon. Searching salt diapirs and related traps in Kuqa foreland basin is important. The forming mechanism of salt tectonic in Kuqa foreland basin is different from that of Hormuz Series, but similar to that of Lower Fars Series/Gachsaran Formation. Inspired by the role of salt tectonics of Lower Fars Series/Gaehsaran Formation in hydrocarbon accumulation, the authors considered that the exploration below salt layer should be enforced, and the traps below salt layer in the southern part of the Kuqa foreland basin would be found where salt layer is thicker. On the contrary, the traps should be found both above and below the salt layer in front of the northern mountain where salt layer is thin. The Triassic and Jurassic source rocks are rich in this area with great exploration prospective.

Evaluation of the “fishing down marine food web” process in the north-west of Persian Gulf(Khuzestan Province) during the period of 2002–2011

The worldwide increase in commercial fisheries and its impact on ecosystems as well as inefficient fishery management have led to overfishing and frequent breakdown of traditional fish stocks. In this context, an analysis of Khuzestan inshore fisheries data covering the years 2002-2011, was conducted in reliance on testing for occurrence of the fishing down marine food webs （FDMFW） phenomenon in the North of Persian Gulf Large Marine Ecosystem （LME）. In this study, the mean trophic level （mTL） and the fishing-in-balance （FIB）-index of Khuzestan landings during this period of time were estimated using the trophic level of 47 fishery resources. Increase in total landings （I1） was observed, which explained the high fishing yield in major fishery resources （especially demersal）. Moreover, the moderates decreasing trend in mTL per decade, and the increasing trend in FIB-index were observed. The status of fishery resources in Khuzestan inshore waters （under exploited but not overexploited）, the rise in Y, FIB and slightly drop in mTL can be considered as indirect indicators of the fishing impacts on the trophic structure of marine communities. Based on this result, probability occurrence of FDMFW process in Khuzestan inshore waters is low to some extent. However, we suggest that the goal of management programs in Khuzestan inshore waters should prevent the continuance of this trend in the long-term using an ecosystem-based approach.

Mean trophic level of coastal fisheries landings in the Persian Gulf(Hormuzgan Province), 2002–2011

Fishing activities can alter the structure of marine food webs by the selective removal of some species. The changes in the marine food webs of the Hormuzgan waters of the Persian Gulf, Iran were assessed, based on estimates of the mean trophic index （MTI） and Fishing in Balance index （FIB）, and on landing profile of the exploited marine community （49 species） during the period, 2002-2011. The total landings （Yt） （R=0.88, P〈0.001） increased gradually while the Y~ of carnivores has slightly declined, and the Yt of herbivores, detritivores and omnivores has increased. Consequently, the MTI significantly decreased （R=-0.69, P〈0.05） at a rate of 0.1 l during this decade. The MTI showed a decreasing trend, which indicates exploitation of marine resources. The FiB index also showed a downward trend and negative values from 2002 to 2009, which may be associated with unbalanced structure in the fisheries, but an upward trend from 2009 to 20ll. The time variation of the landing profile showed two periods with significant differences in their species composition （R=0.88; P=0.005）, and based on analysis of similarity, species have been identified as discriminator species, namely Thunnus albacores and Benthosema pterotum. Results indicate that changes in MTI reflected changes in the Hormuzgan landing structure. The examination of the MTI, FBI, and landing profile （LP） temporal pattern suggests that the status of fishery resources in Hormuzgan inshore waters is overexploited, and provides evidence of the probability that a fishing down process is occurring in this area, and that this trend may continue in the long-tenn. Therefore, environmental fisheries management and conservation programs should be prioritized for these valuable resources.

Application of Statistical Methods to Biomarkers for Geochemical Evaluation and Genetic Type Determination of Gas Condensates in the Persian Gulf and Coastal Fars,Southern Iran

In a comprehensive geochemical study,the genetic relationships among 14 samples of gas condensates from the Persian Gulf were investigated for the purpose of evaluating the respective source rocks in terms of both age and sedimentary paleoenvironment.Chemometric analysis was used for categorization and determination of a certitude range to determine the genetic type of the condensate families in the studied basin.The samples were collected from Late Permian-Triassic reservoirs(Dalan and Kangan formations)located in 6 gasfields(gas condensate)hosting some of Iran’s most important gas/gas condensate reserves.Obtained by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS),a total of 16 biomarker parameters(10 maturity-related parameters and 6 sedimentary environment-related parameters)were used to evaluate the samples in terms of thermal maturity(and hence their positions in the maturity chart),the sedimentary environment of the source rock and the lithology.Application of Hierarchical Clustering Analysis(HCA)and Principal Component Analysis(PCA)to the collected data led to the categorization of the samples into three main genetic groups,Ⅰ-Ⅲ.GroupsⅠandⅢwere found to be located in the east and the west of the Persian Gulf,respectively,while GroupⅡwas developed between the two other groups.

Forty-year investigation of wave power in energetic region of Persian Gulf in Iranian territorial waters by using short-term and new long-term stability assessment parameters

The wave power in high potential area of the northern Persian Gulf(near to Iranian coastal areas)is assessed by taking into account the temporal and spatial distributions of wave power for a period of forty years.For this purpose,assimilated wind data of European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting Interim Reanalysis(ERA-Interim),and hydrography data of General Bathymetric Chat of the oceans(GEBCO)are used as SWAN model.Seven locations are investigated in the study area by considering the amount of coefficient of variation,the amount of average annual power,and the short-term and a new long-term(decadal variability index)power stability assessment parameters.The results showed more stability in the eastern parts of the study area and concluded that a narrow line between the point which is in the middle and another point which is in the eastern middle part of the study area may be the best locations for more investigation and the feasibility study for energy converter farms.Also,it is found that the middle part of the study region with about 2.5 kW/m power is the most energetic area.It is concluded that the dominant direction of wave power distribution in all points is the northeast,and this dominant direction has not changed during the forty-year period.It is observed that the mean annual energy increases with a slight slope in the total 40 a,and this increasing trend is more obvious in the fourth decade.Although it is observed that the wave power of the second decade has the most stability and the least variation,the wave power in the fourth decade has the most variation.Moreover,the results showed that the study region’s wave power increase by approximately a mean change rate of 0.027 kW/(m·a);and the maximum change rate of wave power was in the northwest part and the minimum change rate of wave power was in the southeast part which were about 0.036 kW/(m·a)and 0.014 kW/(m·a),respectively.

A Significant Look at the Effects of Persian Gulf Environmental Conditions on Sound Scattering Based on Small Perturbation Method

The main goal of this paper is to investigate sound scattering from the sea surface, by Kuo＇s small perturbation method （SPM）, in the Persian Gulf＇s environmental conditions. Accordingly the SPM method is reviewed, then it is demonstrated how it can accurately model sound scattering from the sea surface. Since in Kuo＇s approach, the effects of surface roughness and sub-surface bubble plumes on incident sounds can be studied separately, it is possible to investigate the importance of each mechanism in various scattering regimes. To conduct this study, wind and wave information reported by Arzanah station as well as some numerical atmospheric models for the Persian Gulf are presented and applied to examine sound scattering from the sea surface in the Persian Gulf region. Plots of scattering strength by Kuo＇s SPM method versus grazing angle for various frequencies, wave heights, and wind speeds are presented. The calculated scattering strength by the SPM method for various frequencies and wind speeds are compared against the results of critical sea tests 7 （CST-7）. The favorable agreement achieved for sound scattering in the Persian Gulf region is indicative of the fact that the SPM method can quite accurately model and predict sound scattering from the sea surface.

Mesoscale eddies and their dispersive environmental impacts in the Persian Gulf

As the mesoscale eddies in oceans and semi-enclosed seas are significant in horizontal dispersion of pollutants,we investigate the seasonal variations of these eddies in the Persian Gulf(PG)that are usually generated due to seasonal winds and baroclinic instability.The sea surface height(SSH)data from 2010 to 2014 of AVISO are used to identify and track eddies,using the SSH-based method.Then seasonal horizontal dispersion coefficients are estimated for the PG,using the properties of eddies.The results show an annual mean of 78 eddies with a minimum lifetime of one week.Most of the eddies are predominantly cyclonic(59.1%)and have longer lifetimes and higher diffusion coefficients than the anti-cyclonic eddies.The eddy activity is higher in warm seasons,compared to that of cold seasons.As locations with high eddy diffusion coefficients are high-risk areas by using maps of horizontal eddy diffusion coefficients,perilous times and locations of the release of pollutants are specified to be within the longitude from 51.38°E to 55.28°E.The mentioned areas are located from the Strait of Hormuz towards the northeast of the PG,closer to Iranian coast.Moreover,July can be considered as the most dangerous time of pollution release.

Determination of hydrocarbon generation potential of a non-isothermal pyrolysis of Faraghun and Sarchahan Formations in Coastal Fars and the Persian Gulf,Iran

Source rock assessment is a key step in any petroleum exploration activity.The results of Rock-Eval analysis showed that Sarchahan Formation was in the late oil window,while the Faraghun and Zakeen Formations were just in the early stages of the oil window.Furthermore,Sarchahan,Zakeen and Faraghun Formations exhibited different kerogen types(types-Ⅱ,types-Ⅲand type-Ⅲ,respectively).Refining the kinetic parameters using the OPTKIN software,the error function returned error values below 0.1,indicating accurate optimization of the kinetic parameters.Based on the obtained values of activation energy,it was clear that Sarchahan Formation contained type-Ⅱkerogen with an activation energy of 48-52 kcal/mol,while Zakeen and Faraghun Formations contained type-III kerogen with activation energies of 70-80 kcal/mol and 44-56 kcal/mol,respectively.The geographical distribution of the samples studied in this work,it was found that the organic matter(OM)quantity and quality increased as one moved toward the Coastal Fars in Sarchahan Formation.The same trend was observed as one moved from the southern coasts of Iran toward the shaly and coaly portions of Faraghun Formation in the center of the Persian Gulf.

Practical Guideline for Screening the Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection and Persian Gulf Criteria for Diagnosis of COVID-19

The new Coronavirus disease or COVID-19 is a contagious viral/immune-logical systemic disorder with predominantly respiratory features caused by human infection with SARS-CoV-2, which is rapidly spreading from person-to-person all around the world as a pandemic. The new outbreak of COVID-19 first appeared in Wuhan, China in December 2019. This virus is transmitted from human to human in various ways including air, aerosol, touching, and fecal-oral ways. The SARS-CoV-2 survives for several days in the environment. The SARS-CoV-2 virus multiplies within the cells of mouth-throat or nose-throat, and despite the production of antibodies by the human immune system, if the virus continues to multiply and progress, it will enter the bloodstream and reach its target organ, the lungs. It takes an incubation period of one to fourteen days for the initial symptoms/signs of disease to appear as fever, dry cough, and fatigue. Finally, shortness of breath due to pneumonia/pneumonitis with or without Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS) causes the patient to be hospitalized and transferred to ICU. Older people with underlying disorders account for the majority of deaths from COVID-19, while children under the age of 15 - 20 are the main carriers of the SARS-CoV-2. About 40% of patients with COVID-19 are asymptomatic and, 40% mild, 15%;severe, and 5% are critical COVID-19. COVID-19 Molecular Diagnostic Tests and COVID-19 Antibody Tests are two types of diagnostic kit tests for identification of the SARS-CoV-2 and the High Resolution Computerised Tomography (HRCT) scanning of lungs is the best imaging method for detecting pneumonia/pneumonitis and assessing its severity. This paper is intended to present a health system called COVID-19 Referral System for screening and developing very sensitive diagnostic criteria as Persian Gulf Criteria for diagnosis of COVID-19. By using these two methods and performing the SARS-CoV-2 kit tests more and more widely, and performing accurate isolation of patients and virus carriers and complete quarantine of red zones, it is possible to successfully control the SARS-CoV-2 epidemics.

Microplastic in Commercial Fish in the Mediterranean Sea, the Red Sea and the Arabian/Persian Gulf. Part 3. The Arabian/Persian Gulf

The manuscript reviews the available literature of 2015-2022 on the microplastic content in commercially important fish species, molluscs and crustaceans in the Arabian/Persian Gulf. The literature on microplastic concentrations on beaches, in subtidal sediment, and in surface water of different regions of the Arabian/Persian Gulf is evaluated, also. Overall, the reported concentration of microplastic in marine organisms in the Gulf has been found to be less than for comparable waters such as the Mediterranean Sea. The highest microplastic concentration within the region of the Gulf has been found on its Northern shore, in Iran, where also most of the microplastic studies within the region stem from.

Nesting Activity and Conservation Status of the Hawksbill Turtle （Eretmochelys imbricata） in Persian Gulf

Nesting activity, declining factors and conversation strategy of hawksbill turtle （Eretmochelys imbricata） in Persian Gulf islands investigated. Nesting analysis and hatchability has been monitored by counting. Our management strategy has been useful significantly in preserving hawksbill turtle existence. Depletion prevented, nesting habitats protected and better conservative programs designed.

Sedimentology and depositional environment of the Kazhdumi Formation Sandstones in the northwestern area of the Persian Gulf

Kazhdumi is one of the Bangestan Group formations aging late early Cretaceous (Albian). Three subsurface sections of the sandstone bearing part of Kazhdumi in the studied area located at northwest of the Persian Gulf are assessed for determining sedimentary facies and depositional environment. Based on the recognized facies, the sandstone bearing zones of Kazhdumi and their relevant paleoenvironments can be addressed as: first one is the B sandstone zone containing thick sandstone layers alternating with shale and siltstone thin layers which are deposited by river influenced conditions because of the characteristics like: cross bedding, oxidized constituents and palesol. The second one, the A sandstone zone which is deposited under a key limestone layer, is composed of sand/sandstone layers with marine features and presents the interaction of marine-river condition in deltaic channels. This zone, is a transition interval showing the changes of river-dominated condition to marine one. The third one is the A sandstone zone deposited above the key limestone layer containing fine grained laminated siliciclastic and chemical sediments. Alternation of distal channel facies and green marine shale of delta containing glauconite, pyrite and organic matter residuals, all confirm the reduction condition in estuarine environment. Applying facies analyses results, isopach maps, porosity distribution maps and sandstone grain size study, the paleocurrent pattern is determined from the southwest to northeast.

Internal Waves Formation and Propagation in the Persian Gulf

The Persian Gulf(PG),as a semi-enclosed water basin extends in[47-57]E,[24-30]N,geographic domain.Particularly,northern part of the PG shows more baroclinicity and turbulence because of the river inflow from the Arvand,bottom and costal stresses.Furthermore,wind stress has many effects rather than in mid deep domain of the PG.Thermocline development in the PG is observed because of studying the data measured in the Mt.Mitchell cruise in 1992 by different models from winter to summer.The studied turbulence in the northern part of the PG is navigated from winter to summer due to the internal wave’s activity and stability intensified through water column.

US“Maximum pressure”From the Perspective of Bottom-Line Thinking-Taking the Persian Gulf Escort Coalition as an Example

This article attempts to take the formation of the Persian Gulf Escort Coalition after the oil tanker attack and detention as the starting point to discuss the bottom-line thinking of the parties involved in and the dilemma of US“maximum pressure”.The“maximum pressure”is the product of zero-sum thinking.In the case of"maximum pressure",the allies may predict the worst outcome out of bottom-line thinking,which will change their support for the US,resulting in not only being unable to isolate their opponents,but also isolating the US itself.And in the case of"maximum pressure",the opponent will also prepare for the worst out of bottom-line thinking,which will easily make the contradictions more intensified and cause unnecessary strong backlash from the opponent.Under the guidance of bottom-line thinking,out of consideration of history or other factors,allies or opponents may make choices that are different from expectations,leading to the risk of strategic-misjudgment.In summary,the formation of the Escort Coalition in the Persian Gulf was an unsuccessful act of"maximum pressure",and the"maximum pressure"strategy that time did not achieve the expected results because of the bottom-line thinking of the allies.