Nils Bang
Encyclopedia
Nils Daniel Bang was a South African oceanographic
scientist who was considered a pioneer in the study of coastal upwelling
systems. He was the first to use the term retroflect
ion, meaning "to turn back on itself", in an oceanographic sense, to describe the way the Agulhas Current
, which runs down the east coast of Africa
, turns abruptly back on itself in a hairpin bend. In March 1969, Bang initiated, planned and executed "South Africa's first truly multi-ship [oceanographical research] operation", the Agulhas Current Project, along the length of the current, with three ships including the University of Cape Town's
research vessels, the Thomas B. Davie, and a Department of Sea Fisheries ship, the R.V. Africana II. Analysing the data that was collected, Bang sought a way to describe the nature of the current's flow and chose the word "retroflection", more commonly used to describe the way the mammalian intestine
or uterus
can curve back on itself. The term has since become common parlance among oceanographers. In the field of physical oceanography, in the fine structure of the coastal upwelling
systems, Bang, along with Bill Andrews and Larry Hutchings, his counterparts in biological oceanography, produced work that was "universally acclaimed". Following studies of the Southern Benguela system off South Africa's west coast, he described the shelf edge frontal jet off the Cape Peninsula, which he named Good Hope Jet. At the time of his death, he was acting head of the Physical Oceanography Division of the National Research Institute for Oceanology at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (South Africa).
and later Harward, both in Pietermaritzburg. During his school years, he was a sea cadet and attended a Commonwealth sea cadet course in Britain. He studied first at the University of Natal
(Durban), moving to the university's Pietermaritzburg
campus after his first year, emerging with a B Sc (Hons) in Physical Geography in 1964. He then went on to the University of Cape Town where he was awarded a PhD in 1974. (Thesis:The Southern Benguela System: Finer Oceanic Structure and Atmospheric Determinants).
south coast.
, Norway
, he joined the newly-formed National Research Institute of Oceanography of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban, where he remained until his death.
Oceanography
Oceanography , also called oceanology or marine science, is the branch of Earth science that studies the ocean...
scientist who was considered a pioneer in the study of coastal upwelling
Upwelling
Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. The increased availability in upwelling regions results in high levels of primary...
systems. He was the first to use the term retroflect
Retroflect
Retroflect, meaning "to turn back on itself", is an oceanographic term used to describe the movement of an ocean current which doubles back on itself.-Usage history:...
ion, meaning "to turn back on itself", in an oceanographic sense, to describe the way the Agulhas Current
Agulhas Current
The Agulhas Current is the Western Boundary Current of the southwest Indian Ocean. It flows down the east coast of Africa from 27°S to 40°S. It is narrow, swift and strong...
, which runs down the east coast of Africa
Africa
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
, turns abruptly back on itself in a hairpin bend. In March 1969, Bang initiated, planned and executed "South Africa's first truly multi-ship [oceanographical research] operation", the Agulhas Current Project, along the length of the current, with three ships including the University of Cape Town's
University of Cape Town
The University of Cape Town is a public research university located in Cape Town in the Western Cape province of South Africa. UCT was founded in 1829 as the South African College, and is the oldest university in South Africa and the second oldest extant university in Africa.-History:The roots of...
research vessels, the Thomas B. Davie, and a Department of Sea Fisheries ship, the R.V. Africana II. Analysing the data that was collected, Bang sought a way to describe the nature of the current's flow and chose the word "retroflection", more commonly used to describe the way the mammalian intestine
Intestine
In human anatomy, the intestine is the segment of the alimentary canal extending from the pyloric sphincter of the stomach to the anus and, in humans and other mammals, consists of two segments, the small intestine and the large intestine...
or uterus
Uterus
The uterus or womb is a major female hormone-responsive reproductive sex organ of most mammals including humans. One end, the cervix, opens into the vagina, while the other is connected to one or both fallopian tubes, depending on the species...
can curve back on itself. The term has since become common parlance among oceanographers. In the field of physical oceanography, in the fine structure of the coastal upwelling
Upwelling
Upwelling is an oceanographic phenomenon that involves wind-driven motion of dense, cooler, and usually nutrient-rich water towards the ocean surface, replacing the warmer, usually nutrient-depleted surface water. The increased availability in upwelling regions results in high levels of primary...
systems, Bang, along with Bill Andrews and Larry Hutchings, his counterparts in biological oceanography, produced work that was "universally acclaimed". Following studies of the Southern Benguela system off South Africa's west coast, he described the shelf edge frontal jet off the Cape Peninsula, which he named Good Hope Jet. At the time of his death, he was acting head of the Physical Oceanography Division of the National Research Institute for Oceanology at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (South Africa).
Early life and education
Nils Bang was born in Durban, South Africa, on 13 September 1941. His father was Daniel Nielson Bang, a Zulu linguist and son of Norwegian missionaries, and his mother was Anna Maria Bang (nee Linde), the daughter of Swedish Missionaries. He had a younger sister and brother, Anaida and Knut Olav. He attended Merchiston Preparatory SchoolMerchiston Preparatory School
Merchiston Preparatory School was founded in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa in 1892. It was founded by Miss Agnes Rowe and Miss Elizabeth Allan who were inspired by Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh, Scotland.-Pupils:...
and later Harward, both in Pietermaritzburg. During his school years, he was a sea cadet and attended a Commonwealth sea cadet course in Britain. He studied first at the University of Natal
University of Natal
The University of Natal was a university in Natal, and later KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa, that is now part of the University of KwaZulu-Natal. It was founded in 1910 as the Natal University College in Pietermaritzburg, and expanded to include a campus in Durban in 1931. In 1947, the university...
(Durban), moving to the university's Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg
Pietermaritzburg is the capital and second largest city in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It was founded in 1838, and is currently governed by the Msunduzi Local Municipality. Its "purist" Zulu name is umGungundlovu, and this is the name used for the district municipality...
campus after his first year, emerging with a B Sc (Hons) in Physical Geography in 1964. He then went on to the University of Cape Town where he was awarded a PhD in 1974. (Thesis:The Southern Benguela System: Finer Oceanic Structure and Atmospheric Determinants).
Marriage and children
He married Mary Alison Coombe, a midwife, on 21 August 1965, in Pietermaritzburg. He credited his inspiration for the "retroflection" metaphor to his wife who had taught him the term during her midwifery studies. In November 1967, their first daughter, Kirsten Linde, was born in Cape Town, followed by two more daughters, Solveig Marina in June 1970 and Janice Lise in July 1973.Death
Nils Bang died, aged 36, of colon cancer, in Durban's Entabeni Hospital on 2 December 1977. At dawn on 27 January 1978, members of the CSIR staff along with his friend, retired Port Captain Jimmy Deacon, aboard the research ship, the Meiring Naude, committed his ashes to the sea between Umkomaas and Scottburgh on the NatalKwaZulu-Natal
KwaZulu-Natal is a province of South Africa. Prior to 1994, the territory now known as KwaZulu-Natal was made up of the province of Natal and the homeland of KwaZulu....
south coast.
Scientific career
Nils Bang's oceanographic research began in 1965 when he joined the Naval Oceanographic Research unit in Youngsfield, near Cape Town, then moved to the Oceanographic Institute at the University of Cape Town, where his key research work was accomplished. After a year of post-doctoral studies at the University of BergenUniversity of Bergen
The University of Bergen is located in Bergen, Norway. Although founded as late as 1946, academic activity had taken place at Bergen Museum as far back as 1825. The university today serves more than 14,500 students...
, Norway
Norway
Norway , officially the Kingdom of Norway, is a Nordic unitary constitutional monarchy whose territory comprises the western portion of the Scandinavian Peninsula, Jan Mayen, and the Arctic archipelago of Svalbard and Bouvet Island. Norway has a total area of and a population of about 4.9 million...
, he joined the newly-formed National Research Institute of Oceanography of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, Durban, where he remained until his death.