The Effect of Climate and Continental Hydrological Factors on the Salinity of Seawater of Latakia Coast

Abstract

The research aims to analyze the change in seawater salinity along the Latakia coast in relation to the influence of the two most significant climate elements: precipitation and evaporation. It also considers continental hydrological factors, represented by the flow of the Al Kabeer Alshemaly River, as well as sewage contributions from the Afamia and Al Corniche aljanuby estuaries. The study relied on field research, which involved collecting samples and measuring parameters directly at the sampling locations, followed by data analysis to derive a set of result.

The concepts of surface water mass and seawater salinity were defined, along with the average seawater salinity in the research area, which represents the typical salinity of the surface water mass in Syrian territorial waters, as indicated by the station of the Higher Institute of Marine Research, a typical station distant from human influences. The variation in seawater salinity was analyzed based on the months of the year 2023. The extent of the impact of seawater salinity on the Latakia coast was assessed in relation to climatic elements and the river flow of the Al Kabeer Alshemaly River, considering different distances from the estuary, as well as the influence of human factors.