Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Water Characteristics

  • Chapter
The Nile, Biology of an Ancient River

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 29))

Abstract

Two characteristics of water from the lower Nile long attracted attention-that it was of excellent quality for drinking and irrigation, and that it seasonally contained high concentrations of silt. The systematic, scientific exploration of the general subject developed but slowly over the last hundred years. An essential element in this was a direct parallel to geographical exploration, namely the tracing upstream of sources of the materials and properties observed below. Geography and geology dictate that a blending of very different types of water must occur in the headwaters and middle reaches, with contributions from dissimilar lakes and highland tributaries. These sources also have different seasonal flows, and so influence the seasonal composition of water downstream. Further seasonal influences include the annual impoundment of water by dams in the Sudan, and the chemical activities of plankton in the impounded water. Unlike many rivers, the Nile is little affected by pollution. However, the extensive Sudd swamps on the Upper White Nile can introduce deoxygenation and its chemical consequences.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 84.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 109.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Abu Gideiri, Y. B. 1969. The development and distribution of plankton in the northern part of the White Nile. Hydrobiologia 33: 369–378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdin, G. 1948a. Physical and chemical investigations relating to algal growth in the River Nile, Cairo. Bull. Inst. Égypte 29: 19–44.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdin, G. 1948b. The conditions of growth and periodicity of the algal flora of the Aswan reservoir (Upper Egypt). Bull. Fac. Sci. Egypt. Univ. No. 27: 157–175.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdin, G. 1949. Luminosity measurements in Aswan Reservoir, Egypt. Hydrobiologia 1: 169–182.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Aladjem, R. 1926. Seasonal variation in salinity of Nile water at Rodah (Giza) with special reference to alkaline carbonates. Min. Agr., Tech. & Sci. Serv., Egypt, Bull. 69: 1–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aladjem, R. 1928. Seasonal variation in salinity of Nile water in the Aswan Reservoir and at Rodah (Giza). Min. Agr., Tech. & Sci. Serv., Egypt, Bull. 81: 1–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aleem A. A. & Samaan, A. A. 1969. Productivity of Lake Mariut, Egypt. Part I. Physical and chemical aspects. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr. 54: 313–355.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bacon, C. R. 1918. Poisoned fish. Sudan Notes & Records 1: 207–209.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beadle, L. C. 1932. Scientific results of the Cambridge Expedition to the East African Lakes, 1930–31. 4. The waters of some East African Lakes in relation to their fauna and flora. J. Linn. Soc. (Zool.) 38: 157–211.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Beadle, L. C. 1974. The inland waters of tropical Africa. An introduction to tropical limnology. London. Longman. pp. 365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beam, W. 1906. Report of the Chemical Section, in Second Report, Wellcome Research Laboratories, Khartoum. Rep. Wellcome trop. Res. Labs. 2: 206–214.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beam, W. 1908. Nile Waters, in Report of the chemical section of the Wellcome Research Laboratories, Gordon College, Khartoum. Rep. Wellcome trop. Res. Labs. 3: 386–395.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beam, W. 1911. Sobat River Water, in Fourth Report, Wellcome Tropical Res. Laboratories, Gordon College, Khartoum. Rep. Wellcome trop. Res. Labs. 4: 32–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Beauchamp, R. S. A. 1956. The electrical conductivity of the head waters of the White Nile. Nature, Lond. 178: 616–619.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bini, G. 1940. Ricerche chimiche nelle acque del lago Tana. Missione di studio al lago Tana, vol. III. Part 2, Reale Accademia d’Italia, pp. 9–52.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishai, H. M. 1962. The water characteristics of the Nile in the Sudan with a note on the effect of Eichhornia crassipes on the hydrobiology of the Nile. Hydrobiologia 19: 357–382.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brook, A.J. & Rzóska, J. 1954. The influence of the Gebel Aulyia dam on the development of Nile plankton. J. anim. Ecol. 23: 101–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Carter, G. S. 1955. The papyrus swamps of Uganda. Heffer, Cambridge, England. 25 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Damas, H. 1937. Recherches hydrobiologiques dans les lacs Kivu, Édouard, et Ndalaga. Explor. Parc Albert, Mission H. Damas (1935–1936), fasc. I, 128 pp. Inst. Parcs nat. Congo belge, Bruxelles.

    Google Scholar 

  • Drover, D. P. & Bishai, H. M. 1962. A preliminary study of some chemical constituents of the bottom deposits of the White Nile. Hydrobiologia 20: 179–184.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elster, H. J. & Gorgy, S. 1959. Der Nilschlamm als Nährstoffregulator im Nildelta. Naturwissenschaften 46: 147.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Elster, H. J. & Vollenweider, R. A. 1961. Beiträge zur Limnologie Ägyptens. Arch. Hydrobiol. 57: 241–343.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Wakeel, S. K. & Wahby, S. D. 1970. Hydrography and chemistry of Lake Manzalah, Egypt. Arch. Hydrobiol. 67: 173–200.

    Google Scholar 

  • Entz, B. 1972. Comparison of the physical and chemical environments of Volta Lake and Lake Nasser. In Productivity problems of freshwaters (eds. Z. Kajak & A Hillbricht-Ilkowska), Warszawa-Kraków, pp. 883–892.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fish, G. R. 1957. A seiche movement and its effect on the hydrology of Lake Victoria. Fish. Publ., Lond. No. 10: 1–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. 1974a. Incident solar irradiance and underwater light penetration as factors controlling the chlorophyll a content of a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). J. Ecol. 62: 593–609.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. 1974b. Diurnal mixing and the vertical distribution of phytoplankton in a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). J. Ecol. 62: 611–629.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. 1975. Photosynthetic production and irradiance-photosynthesis relationships of the phytoplankton from a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Oecologia 18: 165–183.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. & Blczka, P. 1974. Oxygen uptake, ammonia and phosphate excretion by zooplankton of a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Limnol. Oceanogr. 19: 313–326.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. & Home, A. J. 1975. Diurnal stratification, photosynthesis and nitrogenfixation in a shallow, equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Freshwat. Biol. 5: 13–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. & Milburn, T. R. 1971. A conductimetric method for the determination of total inorganic and particulate organic carbon fractions in freshwater. Arch. Hydrobiol. 69: 1–13.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ganf, G. G. & Viner, A. B. 1973. Ecological stability in a shallow equatorial lake (Lake George, Uganda). Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 184: 321–346.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gay, P. A. 1958. Conductivity of Nile waters. Fifth Ann. Rep. 1957–1958, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 5–7.

    Google Scholar 

  • Golterman, H. L. 1973. Natural phosphate sources in relation to phosphate budgets: a contribution to the understanding of eutrophication. Water Res. 7: 3–17.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Golterman, H. L. 1975. Chemistry of running waters. In River Ecology, ed. B. Whitton, pp. 39–80. Blackwell, Oxford.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorgy, S. 1959. Rate of Evaporation from Lake Quarun. Notes & Mem. Hydrobiol. Dept. Alexandries. 42, 26pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Grabham, G. W. & Black, R. P. 1925. Report of the Mission to Lake Tana, 1920–21. Min. of Public Works, Egypt. Government Press, Cairo. 207 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerton, D. 1970. Water characteristics and phytoplankton production. Eleventh Ann. Rep. 1963–1964, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 5–12.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerton, D. 1972a. Survey of work in progress. Blue Nile survey. Fourteenth Ann. Rep. 1966–1967, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 3–11.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerton, D. 1972b. Survey of work in progress. Blue Nile survey. River Nile-Lake Nubia. Fifteenth Ann. Rep. 1967–1968, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 5–14.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerton, D. 1972c. Survey of work in progress. Blue Nile survey. White Nile survey. Sixteenth Ann. Rep. 1968–1969, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 4–9.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hammerton, D. 1972d. The Nile River — a case history. In: River Ecology and Man, eds. Oglesby, R. T., Carlson, C. A. & McCann, J. A., pp. 171–214. Academic Press, New York & London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hecht, A. 1964. On the turbulent diffusion of the water of the Nile floods in the Mediterranean Sea. Bull. Sea Fish. Res. Stn Israel No. 36.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, H. E. 1925. The Lake Plateau Basin of the Nile. Ministry of Public Works, Egypt. Physical Dept., Paper no. 21, Govt. Press, Cairo. (Section 13: Salt content of the water of the Lake Plateau, pp. 67–73).

    Google Scholar 

  • Hurst, H. E. 1957. The Nile. 2nd edition. Constable, London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hutchinson, G. E. 1957. A treatise on limnology. I. Geography, physics, and chemistry. John Wiley and Sons, New York.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kurdin, V. P. 1968. Data on hydrological and hydrochemical observations on the White Nile. Inf. Byull. Biol. vnutr. Vod. 2: 49–56. (Russian).

    Google Scholar 

  • Levring, T. & Fish, G. R. 1956. The penetration of light in some tropical East African waters. Oikos 7: 98–109.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, A. 1908. The chemistry of the River Nile. Survey Dept. Paper no. 7, Govt. Press, Cairo. pp. 1–78.

    Google Scholar 

  • Morandini, G. 1940. Missione di studio al lago Tana: 3. Ricerche limnologiche, parte prima, Geografia — Fisica. Reale Acad. d’Italia, Rome. 315 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Moss, B. 1969. Limitation of algal growth in some Central African waters. Limnol. Oceanogr. 14: 591–601.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Omar, M. H. & El-Bakry, M. M. 1970. Estimation of evaporation from Lake Nasser. Meteorol. Res. Bull. 2: 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Omer El Badri Ali. 1972. Sediment transport and deposition in the Blue Nile at Khartoum, flood seasons 1967, 1968 and 1970. M.Sc. Thesis, Univ of Khartoum, unpublished.

    Google Scholar 

  • Oren, O. H. 1969. Oceanographic and biological influence of the Suez canal, the Nile and the Aswan dam on the Levant Basin. Progr. Oceanogr. 5: 161–167.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Prowse, G. A. & Tailing, J. F. 1958. The seasonal growth and succession of plankton algae in the White Nile. Limnol. Oceanogr. 3: 223–238.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ramadan, F. M. 1972. Characterization of Nile waters prior to the High Dam. Z. Wasser Abwasser Forsch. 5: 21–24.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Rzôska, J. 1957. Conductivity of Nile waters. Fourth Ann. Rep. 1956–1957, Hydrobiol. Res. Unit, Univ. Khartoum, pp. 8–10.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rzóska, J. 1968. Observations on zooplankton distribution in a tropical river dambasin (Gebel Aulia, White Nile, Sudan). J. anim. Ecol. 37: 185–198.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rzóska, J. 1974. The Upper Nile swamps, a tropical wetland study. Freshwat. Biol. 4: 1–30.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1957a. The longitudinal succession of water characteristics in the White Nile. Hydrobiologia 11: 73–89.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1957b. Diurnal changes of stratification and photosynthesis in some tropical African waters. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 147: 57–83.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1957c. Some observations on the stratification of Lake Victoria. Limnol. Oceanogr. 2: 213–221.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1963. Origin of stratification in an African Rift lake. Limnol. Oceanogr. 8: 68–78.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1965. The photosynthetic activity of phytoplankton in East African lakes. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 50: 1–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1966. The annual cycle of stratification and phytoplankton growth in Lake Victoria (East Africa). Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. 51: 545–621.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. 1969. The incidence of vertical mixing, and some biological and chemical consequences, in tropical African lakes. Verh. int. Verein. Limnol. 17: 998–1012.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. & Rzóska, J. 1967. The development of plankton in relation to hydrological regime in the Blue Nile. J. Ecol. 55: 637–662.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tailing, J. F. & Tailing, I. B. 1965. The chemical composition of African lake waters. Int. Revue ges. Hydrobiol. 50: 421–463.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tottenham, P. M. 1926. The Upper White Nile Mission, 1923. Interim Report. Government Press, Cairo.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viner, A. B. 1969. The chemistry of the water of Lake George, Uganda. Verh. internat. Verein. Limnol. 17: 289–296.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viner, A. B. 1970. Ecological chemistry of a tropical African lake. Ph.D. thesis, Univ. London.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viner, A. B. 1972. Responses of a mixed phytoplankton population to nutrient enrichments of ammonia and phosphate, and some associated ecological implications. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B 183: 351–370.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Viner, A. B. 1975. The supply of minerals to tropical rivers and lakes (Uganda). In: An introduction to land-water interactions (ed. Olsen, J.) Chapter 10. Springer-Verlag. pp. 227–261.

    Google Scholar 

  • Viner, A. B. & Smith, I. R. 1974. Geographical, historical and physical aspects of Lake George. Proc. R. Soc. Lond. B. 184: 235–270.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vollenweider, R. A. 1960. Beiträge zur Kenntnis optischer Eigenschaften der Gewässer und Primärproduktion. Mem. Ist. Ital. Idrobiol. 12: 201–224.

    Google Scholar 

  • Worthington, E. B. 1930. Observations on the temperature, hydrogen-ion concentration and other physical conditions of the Victoria and Albert Nyanzas. Int. Rev. ges. Hydrobiol. Hydrogr. 24: 328–357.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors
  1. J. F. Talling
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Julian Rzóska

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 1976 Dr. W. Junk b.v., Publishers, The Hague

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Talling, J.F. (1976). Water Characteristics. In: Rzóska, J. (eds) The Nile, Biology of an Ancient River. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 29. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1563-9_39

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-010-1563-9_39

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht

  • Print ISBN: 978-94-010-1565-3

  • Online ISBN: 978-94-010-1563-9

  • eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation