Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in
Book cover

The Nile pp 95–124Cite as

The Fayum Depression and Its Lakes

  • Chapter

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

The Fayum is a depression below sea level, formed by wind erosion 1.8 million years ago, covering ca 12,000 km2. It consists of two lacustrine complexes, Birket Qarun and the two artificial Wadi el-Rayan lakes. Lake Qarun is a saline remnant of the historical freshwater Lake Moeris. It used to be supplied by Nile water between its formation (about 1980 bc) and the Ptolemaic period (323–246 bc). The lake is no longer connected to the Nile and needs to be supplied with pumped water that evaporates in its basin. Consequently, the lake showed a strong increase in salinity, especially during the twentieth century. It evolved from a brackish to a hypersaline state, with incisive repercussions on all biota. In Wadi el-Rayan area, two successive lakes, separated by a waterfall, were created as a reservoir for drainage wastewater. These lakes currently exceed the capacity of Lake Qarun. The physical and chemical variables, phytoplankton, zooplankton, macrobenthos and fish of the two lake complexes are discussed. Among other things, it is argued that the rapid change in salinity of Lake Qarun excludes the presence of endemic species in its fauna.

This is a preview of subscription content, 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   259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD   329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD   329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover 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

Learn about institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

On Birket Qarun

  • Abd Ellah, G. R., 1999. Physical limnology of Fayum depression and their budget. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences, South Valley University, Aswan, 140 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Malek, S. A., 1980. Food and feeding relationship between fishes in Lake Qarun. Journal of Ichthyology 20: 72–276.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Malek, S. A., 1982. Biological productivity of Lake Qarun. Journal of Ichthyology 21: 990–1000.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Malek, S. A. & M. M. Ishak, 1980. Some ecological aspects of Lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. Part II: production of plankton and benthic organisms. Hydrobiologia 75: 201–208.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Moniem, A. M., 1991. Changes in phytoplankton composition of Lake Qarun in relation to variation in Salinity. M. Sci. Thesis, College of Girls, Ain Shams University, 121 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Moniem, A. M., 2001a. Radiophotosynthesis and assimilation rate of 14C uptake by phyto-plankton in closed, turbid, saline lake (Lake Qarun, Egypt). Arab Journal for Nuclear Sciences and Applications 34: 243–250.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abdel-Moniem, A. M., 2001b. Biodiversity of phytoplankton structure in Lake Qarun (El-Fayum) and its use as indicators for environmental pollution. Egyptian Journal of Phycology 2: 17–31.

    Google Scholar 

  • Abu-Samra, M., 1934. Egyptian fisheries report. Government Press, Cairo (in Arabic).

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, N. K., 1994. Ecological studies on zooplankton in Lake Qarun, Fayum Egypt. M. Sci. Thesis. Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, 178 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aleem, A. A., 1958. A taxonomic and paleoecological investigation of the diatom flora of the extinct El-Fayum Lake (Upper Egypt). I — Systematic part. Bulletin of Faculty of Sciences Alexandria University 2: 99–138.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali, M. H., 2002. Impact of agricultural and sewage effluents on the ecosystem of Lake Qarun, Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences. Al-Azher University, 307 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous, 1997. Investigation of Lake Qarun ecosystem. Final Report submitted to USAID and NIOF, Cairo, Egypt, 287 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ball, J., 1939. A Contribution to the Geography of Egypt. Survey and Mines Department, Cairo, 339 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bishai, H. M. & S. Y. Kirollus, 1989. Net selectivity of Solea vulgaris Quesel in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Bulletin of the Faculty of Sciences Cairo University 56: 209–219.

    Google Scholar 

  • Boraey, F. A., 1974. Biological study of the family Mugilidae (grey mullets) in Lake Qarun. Ph. D. Thesis, Ain Shams University, 296 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolous, R., 1960. Okologische untersuchungen im Lake Qarun (Agypten). Ph. D. Thesis, Christian Albrecht University Kiel, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bolous, R. & M. B. M. Ashour, 1973. Studies on the female reproduction cycle of some fishes at Lake Qarun (Fayum, Egypt). Bulletin of the Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University 46: 253–273.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brown, R. H., 1892. The Fayum and Lake Moeris. Edward Stanford, London, 110 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Elewa, A. A., M. B. Shehata, A. M. Abdel Satar, M. H. Ali & M. E. Gohar, 2001. Effect of the drainage water on Lake Qarun ecosystem, Egypt. Presented at 9th International Conference on the Conservation and Management of Lakes 11–16 November, 2001. Shigha Prefectural Government — Japan.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Gaid, H. A., 1980. On the biology of Amphipods in Lake Qarun, M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, 211 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Maghraby, A. M. & N. M. Dowidar, 1969. The occurrence of marine plankton organisms in Lake Qarun (Egypt). Commission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Meditéranéenne, Monaco 19: 849–851

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Sayed E. & K.A. Guindy, 1999. Hydrochemical investigations of El Fayum locality with special reference to the sulphate enrichment phenomenon in Lake Qarun. Bulletin of the Faculty of Sciences El-Mansoura University 26: 1–21.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 2001a. Ecological studies on Rotifera in Lake Qarun. Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 2: 1–18.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 2001b. Ecological studies on macrobenthos in Lake Qarun. Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 2: 29–49.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M. & G. Belmonte, 2004. Abundance and affirmation of Paracartia latisetosa (Copepoda, Calanoida) in the Inland Lake Qarun, Egypt. Thalassia Salentina 27: 151–160.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M. & R. M. Fishar, 1999. Zooplankton consumption and feeding habits of mullet fry in Lake Qarun, Egypt. The role of science in the development of Egypt. Society and Environment 23–24 October: 175–186.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M. & O. E. Taha, 1999. Effect of grazing pressure on phytoplankton assemblage in Lake Qarun, El Fayum, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 3: 81–92.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M. & N. Kalifa, 2007. Seasonal and long-term changes of macrobenthos in Lake Qarun, Egypt Journal of Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 3: 1–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 2007. Community structure and abundance of macrobenthos in Wadi El-Rayan lakes (El-Fayum, Egypt) African Journal of Biological Sciences 3: 113–126.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Wakeel, S. K., 1963. A study of the bottom deposits of Lake Qarun (Egypt) Part I: Chemical analysis. Bulletin of the Faculty of Sciences Alexandria University 5: 51–80.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S., 1961. Tilapia fisheries investigation in Egyptian lakes. II — a biological study of the fisheries of Tilapia zillii (Gerv.) in Lake Qarun, U.A.R. Notes of the Hydrobiology Department, Ministry of Agriculture, Egypt, 44 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S., 1963a. Acclimatization of Solea vulgaris (Linn.) in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Journal du Conseil pour l'Exploration de la Mer 28: 126–136.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S., 1963b. Acclimatization of M. saliens Risso in Lake Qarun, U.A.R. Proceedings of the Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean 7: 337–346.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S., 1968. Rehabilitation of the Fisheries of an inland saline lake in the United Arab Republic. Proceedings of the General Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean 35: 21–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S. & H. El-Sedafy, 1967. The biology and fishery of M. saliens Risso. In Lake Qarun, U.A.R. Bulletin of National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries 1: 3–26.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Zarka, S. & F. Kamel, 1965. Mullet fry transplantation and its contribution to the fisheries of inland brackish lake in the United Arab Republic. Proceedings of the General Fisheries Council of the Mediterranean 8: 209–226.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faouzi, H., 1936. Successful stocking of Lake Qarun with mullets. Internationale Revue der gesa-mten Hydrobiologie und Hydrographie 33: 343–439.

    Google Scholar 

  • Faouzi, H., 1938. Quelques aspects de la biologie des muges en Egypte. Rapports et Procès-Verbaux des Réunions de la Commission Internationale pour l'Exploration Scientifique de la Mer Méditerranéene 11: 63–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fathi A. A. & R. J. Flower, 2005. Water quality and phytoplankton communities in Lake Qarun (Egypt). Aquatic Science 67: 350–362.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fishar, M. R. A., 1993. Studies on bottom invertebrates in Lake Qarun, Egypt. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Zagazig University, 177 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fishar, M. R. A., 2000. Long-term changes of benthic macroinvertebrates in Lake Qarun (Fayum, Egypt), 1974–1996. Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 4: 61–73.

    Google Scholar 

  • Flower, R. J., C. Stickley, N. L. Rose, S. Peglar, A. A. Fathi & P. G. Appleby, 2006. Environmental changes at the desert margin: an assessment of recent paleolimnological records in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Journal of Paleolimnology 35: 1–24.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gabr, M. H., 1998. Biological studies on Liza saliens in Lake Qarun, El-Fayum, Egypt. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Banha University, 290 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gad, M. Y. A., 1992. Ecological studies on the algal flora of some aquatic ecosystems in El-Fayum district. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Egypt, 222 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Girgis, R. B., 1959. Girgis, R.B. 1959. Ökologische Untersuchungen in Lake Qarun (Aegypten). M. Sci. Dissertation, Universität Kiel, Kiel, Germany.

    Google Scholar 

  • Gorgy, S., 1959. The use of Energy Equation in the calculation of the rate of evaporation from Lake Qarun. Alexandria Institute of Hydrobiology, Notes and Memoirs 42: 25 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hewison R. N., 2001. The Fayum History and Guide. The American University, Cairo, 103 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Holdish, D. H. & M. R. Tolba, 1983. On the occurrence of Sphaeroma serratum (Isopoda, sphaer-omatidae) in an Egyptian Inland salt lakes. Crustaceana 49: 211–214.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hussien, M. A. & A. H. Salem, 1981. A study of Palaemon elegans (Crustacea, Decapoda), collected from Lake Qarun 1 — external morphology. Bulletin of the Faculty of Sciences of Assiut University 10: 99–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ishak, M. M. & S. A. Abdel-Malek, 1980. Some ecological aspects of Lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. Part I: physico-chemical environment. Hydrobiologia 74: 173–178.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ishak. M. M., S. A. Abdel-Malek & M. M. Shafik, 1982. Development of mullet fisheries (Mugilidae) in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Aquaculture 27: 251–260.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, M. T., 1978. Ecological and biological studies on zooplankton of Lake Qarun in El Fayum, with special references to Crustacea. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Ain Shams University, 210 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kirollus, S. Y., 1977. Biological studies of Solea vulgaris in Lake Qarun, Egypt. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, 259 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lucas, A., 1906. The salinity of Birket Qarun. Survey Notes 1: 10–15.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mageed, A. A., 2005. Effect of some environmental factors on the biodiversity of Holozooplankton community in lake Qarun, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research 31: 230–250.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour, S. A. & M. S. Sidky, 2003. Ecotoxicological studies 6. The first comparative study between Lake Qarun and Wadi El Rayan wetland (Egypt), with respect to contamination of their major components. Food Chemistry 82: 181–189.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mansour, S. A., M. R. Mahran & M. S. Sidky, 2001. Ecotoxicological studies 4. Monitoring of pesticides in the major components of Lake Qarun, Egypt. Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 2: 83–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mehringer, P. J., K. L. Patersen & F. A. Hassan, 1979. A pollen record from Birket Qarun and the recent history of the Fayum, Egypt. Quaternary Research 11: 238–256.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Meshal, A. N., 1973. Water and salt budget of Lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Alexandria University, 109 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Meshal, A. N., & S. Morcos, 1981. Evaporation from Lake Qarun and its water budget. Bulletin of National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries 7: 474–483.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mosaad, H., 1990. Biological studies on five fish species from Lake Qarun, Egypt. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of Egypt 21: 331–344.

    Google Scholar 

  • Müeller-Wilmes, B., 1988. Diatomeen aus Holozänen Sedimenten des Fayum-Sees, Aegypten. Geologisches Institut der Universitat zu Koeln, Sonderveröffentlichungen 4: 114 pp. F. Hansen, Koeln.

    Google Scholar 

  • Naguib, M., 1958. Studies on the ecology of Lake Qarun (Fayum, Egypt). Part I. Kieler Meeresforschungen 14: 187–222.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naguib, M., 1961. Studies on the ecology of Lake Qarun (Fayum, Egypt). Part II. Kieler Meeresforschungen 17: 94–131.

    Google Scholar 

  • Przybylowska-Lange W., 1976. Diatoms from the site E71K14, area A, Trench 1, Upper diatoma-ceous silt. In F. Wendorf & R. Schild (eds), Prehistory of the Nile Valley. Academic Press, New York, pp. 321–323.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rivlin H. A. B., 1961. The Agricultural Policy of Mohammad Ali in Egypt. Harvard University Press, Cambridge, Massachusetts, 320 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabae, S. Z., 1993. Studies on aquatic bacteria of Lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. M. Sci. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 168 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabae, S. Z., 1996. Bacteriological and chemical studies on benthic layers of Lake Qarun Fayum, Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, 192 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabae, S. Z. & M. H. Ali, 2004. Distribution of nitrogen cycle bacteria in relation to physico-chemical conditions of a closed saline lake (Lake Qarun, Egypt). Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society Environmental Development 5: 145–167.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sabae, S. Z., & S. A. Rabeh, 2000. Bacterial indices of sewage pollution in lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 4: 103–116.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shaaban, A. S., A. A. Badawi & A. A. El-Awamry, 1985. Studies on the diatoms of Bahr Youssef Irrigated canal and its branches in El-Fayum depression (ARE). Moshtohor Annuals of Agriculture Science 24: 7–33.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafei, A., 1940. Fayum irrigation as described by Nabulsi in 1245 A.D. with a description of the present system of irrigation and a note on Lake Moeris. Bulletin de l'Institut d'Egypte 20: 283–287.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shafik, M. M., 1991. Biological studies on Mugil cephalus (Linn.) and Liza ramada (Risso) of Lake Qarun with special emphasis on the fisheries of the lake and principles of inducing breeding of Mugil cephalus (Linn). M. Sci. Thesis, Cairo University, 381 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shahin M., 1985. Hydrology of the Nile Basin. Elsevier, Amsterdam, 575 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman, G. F., 1989. The hydrology of lake Qarun, Fayum, Egypt. Part II; The successive increase of salinity. Bulletin of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries 15: 93–105.

    Google Scholar 

  • Swielum, M. A., 1989. Some biological aspects on Mugil capito Cuv. in Lake Qarun. M. Sci. Thesis, Zagazig University, 138 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tolba, M. R. & A. Hijji, 1994. Effect of water quality: temperature and salinity on eggs development and survival of Gammarus aequicauda. Journal of the Egyptian German Society of Zoology 14: 263–274.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wimpenny, R. & E. T. Titterington, 1936. The tow net-plankton of Lake Qarun, Egypt. December 1930 to December 1931. Notes and Memoirs, Fisheries Research Directorate, 14: 57 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wimpenny, R. S., 1936. The Ova and Larvae of M. capito Cuv., from lake Qarun, Egypt. Annals and Magazine of Natural History Series 10, 17: 405–413.

    Google Scholar 

  • Wimpenny, R. S. & H. Faouzi, 1935. The breeding of the grey mullet, M. capito Cuv., in Lake Qarun, Egypt. Nature, London 135: 1041 pp.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yacoub, A. M., 1994. Effect of pollution in Lake Qarun on Solea vulgaris. M. Sci. Thesis, College for women. Ain- Shams University, 186 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Zalat A. A., 1991. Paleontological studies on the Quaternary diatomite of the Fayum Depression, Western Desert, Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Tanta University, Egypt. 329 pp.

    Google Scholar 

On Wadi El Rayan Lakes

  • Abd Ellah, G. R., 1999. Physical limnology of Fayum depression and their budget. Ph. D. thesis, Faculty of Sciences, South Valley University, Aswan, 140 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aboul-ela, I. A. & M. T. Khalil, 1988. Ecological studies on Wadi El Rayan, a new lake in Egypt: Physico-chemical environment. Egyptian Journal of Wildlife and Natural Resources 7: 35–45.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed, U. K., 2000. Management and population dynamics of some exploited fish species in Wadi El Rayan lakes. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, 312 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous, 1998. Fish Resources Development of Wadi El Rayan Lakes. Final Report presented to Academy of Scientific Research and Technology, Egypt (ASRT), 201 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Anonymous, 2003. Food production in freshwater ecosystems. I: Wadi El Rayan lakes (Egypt). Final report MERC/AID, 22 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Carlin, B., 1943. Die Plankton-Rotatorien des Motala-ströms. Zur Taxonomie und Okologie der Plankton-Rotatorien. Contributions of the Lund University Limnological Institute 17: 1–163.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chainho, L., J. L. Costa1, M. L. Chaves, M. F. Lane, D. M. Dauer & M. J. Costa1, 2006. Seasonal and Spatial Patterns of Distribution of Subtidal Benthic Invertebrate Communities in the Mondego River, Portugal — a Poikilohaline Estuary. Hydrobiologia 555: 59–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dauer, D. M., A. J. Rodi & J. A. Ranasinghe, 1992. Effects of low dissolved oxygen events on the macrobenthos of the lower Chesapeake Bay. Estuaries 15: 384–391.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 1993. A study on zooplankton and bottom fauna in Lake Wadi El Rayan. M. Sci. Thesis, Zagazig University, 175 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 1996. Limnological studies on zooplankton and benthos in the second Lake Wadi El Rayan “El-Fayum, Egypt”. Ph. D. Thesis, El-Mansoura University, 172 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • El-Shabrawy, G. M., 1999. Monthly variation and succession of Rotifera in Wadi El Rayan area in relation to some physical and chemical condition. Egypt. Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries 3: 217–243.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fouda, M. M. & M. A. Saleh, 1988. On the benthic biota of Wadi El Rayan lakes western desert of Egypt. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of Egypt 16: 111–122.

    Google Scholar 

  • IUCN, 2001. Wadi El Rayan: Gateway to the Western Desert. G.H. Mattravers (ed.), Produced by the Wadi El Rayan protectorate area project with support from Italy's General directorate for Development Cooperation, 98 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jensen, J. W., T. Nost & Q. Stokland, 1985. The invertebrate fauna of a small pond subject to wide ranges of salinity and oxygen content. Sarsia 70: 33–43.

    Google Scholar 

  • Khalil, M. T., 1984. Studies on the population dynamics of animal organisms and effects of pollutants upon some of them in lake Wadi El Rayan, El-Fayum, Egypt. Ph. D. thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Ain-Shams University, 179 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konsowa, A. H., 1991. Studies on phytoplankton and productivity in Wadi El Rayan Lakes. M. Sci. Thesis, Suez Canal University, 173 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konsowa, A. H., 1996. Ecological studies on phytoplankton and productivity in the third lake of Wadi El Rayan (Fayum). Ph. D. Thesis, Ain Shams University, 153 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konsowa, A. H. & R. G Abd Ellah, 2002a. Physico-chemical characteristic and their effects on phytoplankton community in Wadi El Rayan lakes, Egypt: 1 — upper lake. Journal of Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 3: 1–27.

    Google Scholar 

  • Konsowa, A. H. & R. G Abd Ellah, 2002b. Physico-chemical characteristic and their effects on phytoplankton community in Wadi El Rayan lakes, Egypt: 11 – lower lake. Journal of the Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 3: 29–51.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lui, T. H., S. Y. Lee & Y. Sadovy, 2002. Macrobenthos of a tidal impoundment at the Mai Po Marshes Nature Reserve, Hong Kong. Hydrobiologia 468: 193–212.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mageed, A. A., 2004. Species composition, abundance and biomass of zooplankton with their importance to fishes in Wadi El Rayan lakes, western desert, Egypt. Journal of Egyptian Academic Society for Environmental Development 5: 43–68.

    Google Scholar 

  • Maiyza, I. A, M. M. Abd El-Rhaman & R. G. Abd Ellah, 1999. Evaporation from Wadi El Rayan lakes, Egypt. Bulletin of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries 25: 79–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pejler, B., 1983. Zooplankton indicators of trophy and their food. Hydrobiologia 101: 111–114.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ramadan, S. E. & G. M. El-Shabrawy, 1993. Ecology of rotifera in Wadi El Rayan, Egypt. Bulletin of the National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries of Egypt 19: 277–304.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, M. A., 1984. Ecological investigation of inorganic pollutants in El-Fayum and El Rayan aquatic environment. Supreme Council of Universities, FRCU Report: 1–54.

    Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, M. A., M. M. Fouda, M. S. Abdal Lattif & B. L. Wilson, 1988. Inorganic pollution of the man-made lakes of Wadi El Rayan and its impact on aquaculture and wildlife of the surrounding Egyptian desert. Archive of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 17: 391–403.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Saleh, M. A., E. Eware, J. Jones & B. Wilson, 2000. Monitoring Wadi El Rayan lakes of the Egyptian desert for inorganic pollutants by ion-selective electrodes, ion chromatography, and inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 45: 310–316.

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Schaefer, M. B., 1954. Some aspects of the dynamics of population important to the management of commercial marine fisheries. Bulletin of the Inter-American Tropical Tuna Commission 1: 26–56.

    Google Scholar 

  • Serag, M. S., M. Abdel Galil & W. A. Abdou, 2003. Habitat-types and diversity of plants in Wadi El Rayan protectorate. Journal of Environmental Science 25: 185–205.

    Google Scholar 

  • Smith, G., 1984. Climate. In J. Cloudsley Thompson (ed.), Sahara Desert. Oxford, Pergamon Press, 348 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman, F. M., 1981. Studies on some indigenous and acclimatized economic fishes in a newly man-made Wadi El Rayan Lake, Fayum, Western Desert of Egypt. Ph. D. Thesis, Faculty of Sciences, Cairo University, 162 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Soliman, G. G., 2006. Some environmental and chemical studies on the water of first Depression of Wadi El-Rayan Lakes. M. Sci. Thesis, Al-Azher University, 220 pp.

    Google Scholar 

  • Taha, O. E. & A. A. El-Moniem, 1999. Phytoplankton composition, biomass and productivity in Wadi-El Rayan Lake, Fayum, Egypt. The role of science in the development of Egypt. Society and Environment 23–24 October: 48–56.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Fish Research Station, El-Khanater, National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, El-Kharia, Cairo, Egypt

    Gamal M. El-Shabrawy

Authors
  1. Gamal M. El-Shabrawy
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Henri J. Dumont
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Editor information

Henri J. Dumont

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2009 Springer Science + Business Media B.V

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

El-Shabrawy, G.M., Dumont, H.J. (2009). The Fayum Depression and Its Lakes. In: Dumont, H.J. (eds) The Nile. Monographiae Biologicae, vol 89. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4020-9726-3_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation