The Center for Marine Science kicked off the first lecture in the Planet Ocean series just in time to mark the 25th anniversary of the Sea Grant program.

The seminar, “Replenishing the Nile,” was given by University of Rhode Island professor Scott Nixon, and the lecture focused on the nutrient supply in the Nile.

Through review of recent testing, it has been found that nutrients once brought by the Nile River have now been replaced by drainage and sewage. Oddly enough, this waste may be replenishing the Mediterranean Sea of nitrates and phosphates, Nixon said.

“Are nutrients from agricultural drainage and human sewage providing the fertility once brought to a great Mediterranean river?” Nixon said. Prior to the building of the Aswan High Dam, the Nile flowed unencumbered, carrying with it nutrient rich sediment. Currently, less than 10 percent of these nutrients are flowing to the north. Immediately construction of the dam caused algae growth to drop and fishery yields to dwindle; meanwhile, the Nile delta eroded away, only 1% of the flowing sediment passing north of the dam, he said. The surprise came when between the late 1980s and the year 2000 fish yields rocketed to levels higher than those prior to the construction of the dam. According to Nixon, researchers have paralleled this boom with population increases in cities such as Cairo and Alexandria. Along with people comes sewage. As numbers grew, dry below ground privies leaked contaminating the wells. Despite a lack of sufficient sources, household water supplies grew more than 25 percent in the 1980s, along with a population increase of 3.3 million people. Right about this time, fishery yields began to soar as well, he said. Through the analysis of recent data, Nixon said, that it is likely the nutrients being replenished may very well be coming from human waste. “He who drinks of the water of the Nile is destined to taste its sweetness again,” he said with a smile. Following the lecture was a brief question and answer period. Topics discussed included plankton levels in the Mediterranean Sea and the possible study of nitrate ions to determine the nutrients’ origin. Many students enjoyed the chance to learn a little more about the Nile. “I [was] excited to hear current information and get a feel for things happening in other parts of the world,” said Jason Riddick, a biology student.