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The Nile: History of Scientific Research

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The Nile

Part of the book series: Monographiae Biologicae ((MOBI,volume 89))

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The history of Nile science is briefly reviewed, with reference to both environmental and biological aspects. Five chronological phases are distinguished; they have successively involved traveller-observers and collectors, locally based institutions that include universities, and international agencies. Especially for hydrology, chemistry and plankton biology, longitudinal patterns observed along the river have been combined with studies of local time-sequences and other characteristics. Diverse upstream origins in headwaters include some major lakes; downstream, both the quality and quantity of river water have been shown to be influenced by passage through swamps and retention in reservoirs. The reservoirs, together with annual floodwater, have been shown to have important consequences for water quality, plankton biology, fish stocks, and insect emergences. There have been major recent advances in understanding the environmental history of the river system.

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  1. Hydrobiological Research Unit, University of Khartoum, Sudan

    Jack F. Talling

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Henri J. Dumont

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Talling, J.F. (2009). The Nile: History of Scientific Research. In: Dumont, H.J. (eds) The Nile. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 89. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9726-3_2

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