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This research characterizes the temporal and spatial variability of the seawater carbonate chemistry on the near-shore waters of the northern Persian Gulf and Makran Sea. In general, normalized total alkalinity (nA T ) showed a westward decrease along the coasts of Makran Sea and the Persian Gulf. Intertidal seawater was always supersaturated in terms of calcium carbonate minerals during the daytime. Rocky shore waters in the Persian Gulf were sinks for CO 2 in the winter during the daytime. The nA T decreased from Larak to Khargu Island by 81 μmol/kg. As expected, the two hypothetical drivers of bio-calcification, i.e., Ω and the [HCO 3 - ]/[H + ] ratio, were significantly related at a narrow range of ambient temperature. However, as data were pooled over seasons and study sites, in contrast to Ω Ar , the [HCO 3 - ]/[H + ] ratio showed a slight dependence on temperature, suggesting that the ratio should be investigated as a more reliable factor in future biocalcification researches., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Expert opinion was assessed to identify current knowledge gaps in determining future changes in Arabian/Persian Gulf (thereafter 'Gulf') coral reefs. Thirty-one participants submitted 71 research questions that were peer-assessed in terms of scientific importance (i.e., filled a knowledge gap and was a research priority) and efficiency in resource use (i.e., was highly feasible and ecologically broad). Ten research questions, in six major research areas, were highly important for both understanding Gulf coral reef ecosystems and also an efficient use of limited research resources. These questions mirrored global evaluations of the importance of understanding and evaluating biodiversity, determining the potential impacts of climate change, the role of anthropogenic impacts in structuring coral reef communities, and economically evaluating coral reef communities. These questions provide guidance for future research on coral reef ecosystems within the Gulf, and enhance the potential for assessment and management of future changes in this globally significant region., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)