Evaluation of the efficiency of wastewater advanced treatments and sludge treatments through chemical analysis of 168 selected compounds and non-target analysis
The general objective of the ECHIBIOTEB research program (“Innovating tools for sampling, chemical and biological analyses for the diagnosis of wastewater advanced tertiary treatments and sludge treatments”, 2011-2014, financed by the French National Research Agency, coordinated by Irstea) is to use innovative and complementary tools to characterize the efficiency of water advanced treatments and sludge treatments in wastewater treatment plant. To achieve this goal, various strategies were combined: chemical analysis of a large panel of selected priority and emerging contaminants, non-target chemical analysis, in vitro and in vivo biological analysis and innovating sampling tools such as integrative samplers (e.g. POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) and SPMD (Semi-Permeable Membrane Device)). Our presentation will focus on results on the chemical analyses of selected molecules and non-target analysis. Until today, 11 sampling campaigns, 8 for water and 3 for sludge, have been conducted. Among the potential treatments used for advanced (or tertiary) water treatments, ozone (O3), Granular Activated Carbon (GAC), O3 + GAC, ozone peroxide (H2O2) and UV/H2O2 were studied in full scale or large scale pilot design, located on the outlet of secondary biological treatments. For sludge treatments, solar dryer, compost and reed-bed filter were tested. A total of 138 contaminants belonging to pharmaceuticals, oestrogenic hormones, alkylphenols (AkP), Endocrine Disruptor Compounds (EDC), Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) and pesticides were measured in the dissolved phase of water samples; and 113 contaminants, belonging to pharmaceuticals, oestrogenic hormones, AkP, EDC, organochlorine pesticides, PAH, PCB (PolyChloroBiphenyl) and PBDE (PolyBrominated DiphenylEthers) were measured in sludge samples. After extraction by adapted methods such as Liquid-Liquid Extraction, Solid Phase Extraction or Solid Phase MicroExtraction for waters, and Accelerated Solvent Extraction or microwave extraction for sludge, molecules were analysed by gas (GC) or liquid phase chromatography coupled with single or tandem mass spectrometry. Non-target analysis were realised with two-dimensional GC coupled to Time Of Flight mass spectrometer. For most of the compounds, targeted analysis showed a significant reduction in contaminant concentration in the dissolved phase of water after all tested treatments. Indeed, pharmaceuticals and AkP were efficiently eliminated with concentrations in effluents respectively about 100 and 10 times lower than in influents. In contrast, aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) and glyphosate were not eliminated at all from secondary wastewaters. Many of the selected compounds are refractory to conventional secondary treatments; nonetheless, we demonstrated that they can be efficiently removed thanks to selected advanced tertiary treatments. In the presentation, we will discuss which treatment seems to be the most efficient to eliminate the selected compounds. Depending on the process and the contaminant class, concentrations in raw and treated sludge varied widely. Non-target analyses of 3 different sludge samples allowed to obtain a list of 190 molecules of interest, among which some nitrogen heterocyclic compounds as potential emerging contaminants. Further investigations are needed, especially combining chemical with biological analysis, to determine which compounds among these 190 would be the most relevant to be considered in environmental studies.
(pp. 19, 29/08/2026)
UR MALY, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Embryotoxic and genotoxic effects of heavy metals and pesticides on early life stages of Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas)
This study evaluated embryotoxicity and genotoxicity of two dissolved metals copper and cadmium (Cu and Cd) and two pesticides (metolachlor and irgarol) occurring in Arcachon Bay (SW France) in Pacific oyster (Crassostrea gigas) larvae and investigated the relationship between those two endpoints. Embryotoxicity was measured by calculating the percentage of abnormal D-shaped larvae and genotoxicity was evaluated with DNA strand breaks using the comet assay. After 24 h exposure, significant increases of the percentage of abnormal D-larvae and the DNA strand breaks were observed from 0.1µg/L for Cu, 10 µg/L for Cd and 0.01 µg/L for both irgarol and metolachlor in comparison with the controls. A strong positive relationship between embryotoxicity and genotoxicity was recorded for Cu, Cd and metolachlor. The current study suggests that copper, irgarol and metolachlor can induce larval abnormalities and DNA damage in a population of exposed oysters at environmentally relevant concentrations.
(Marine Pollution Bulletin. vol. 64, n° 0025-326X, pp. 2663-2670, 29/08/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UR MALY, IRSTEA
Responses and structural recovery of periphytic diatom communities after short-term disturbance in some rivers (Hanoi, Vietnam)
Field transfer experiments of periphytic diatom assemblages developed on artificial substrates were set up to assess the responses of those communities to environmental disturbances. The glass slides were positioned for colonization at the relatively unpolluted site (Red, in the Red River) and at the heavily polluted site (TL, in the To Lich River) in the beginning of the experiment. After a period of 2 weeks, the colonized glass slides were concomitantly transferred from the unpolluted Red site to the heavily polluted TL site and to the moderate polluted site (NT 2, in the Nhue River) and, conversely, from the TL site to the Red site, and then to the NT 2 site. The responses and the adapting capacity of periphytic diatom communities to environmental changes were assessed through the cell density, diversity index, species richness, taxonomic composition, and diatom indices after 2 and 4 weeks of transfer periods. For all transfers except for the transfer from the Red to the TL site in which the growth inhibition of diatom cells was found, the diatom density significantly increased until the end of the experiment. Thus, the diatom communities have expressed their pollution tolerance or sensitivities by changing their composition to adapt themselves to environmental changes. Characteristic species of the Red site (Gyrosigma scalproides, Navicula recens) were replaced by Nitzschia palea, Nitzschia umbonata, Aulacoseira granulate typical species of the NT 2 site, in the biofilm transferred from the Red site to the NT 2 site. The relative abundances of typical diatom species of the Red site proliferated in the biofilm transferred from the TL site to the Red site. The replacement of periphytic diatom communities appeared after the transfer from the second week at the different sites. The slow shift of the species towards the typical species at the TL site could result from the organized structure of diatoms within biofilm before the transfer from the Red site to the TL site. The shifts in values of the Index of Specific Polluosensitivity and Diatom Assemblage Index to organic pollution throughout the experiment indicated the clear sensitivity of these indices to water quality changes.
(Journal of Applied Phycology. vol. 24, n° 0921-8971, pp. 1053-1065, 29/08/2026)
IRSTEA, UR REBX, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IRSTEA
Comparison of kernel density estimators with assumption on number of modes
(29/08/2026)
LMBA, UBS, UBO EPE, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CQFD, IMB, UB, Bordeaux INP, CNRS, Inria, IMB, UB, Bordeaux INP, CNRS
Canyon morphology on a modern carbonate slope of the Bahamas: Evidence of regional tectonic tilting
New high-quality multibeam data presented here depict the northern slope of the Little Bahama Bank (Bahamas). The survey reveals the details of large- and small-scale morphologies that look like siliciclastic systems at a smaller scale, including large-scale slope failure scars and canyon morphologies, previously interpreted as gullies and creep lobes. The slope exhibits mature turbidite systems built by mass-fl ow events and turbidity currents. The sediment transport processes are probably more complex than expected. Slope failures show sinuous head scarps with various sizes, and most of the scars are fi lled with recent sediment. Canyons have amphitheater-shaped heads resulting from coalescing slump scars, and are fl oored by terraces that are interpreted as slump deposits. Canyons rapidly open on a short channel and a depositional fan-shaped lobe. The entire system extends for ~40 km. The development of these small turbidite systems, similar to siliciclastic systems, is due to the lack of cementation related to alongshore current energy forcing the transport of fi ne particles and fl ow differentiation. Detailed analyses of bathymetric data show that the canyon and failurescar morphology and geometry vary following a west-east trend along the bank slope. The changing parameters are canyon length and width, depth of incision, and canyon and channel sinuosity. Accordingly, failure scars are larger and deeper eastward. These observations are consistent with a westward tectonic tilt of the bank during the Cenozoic.
(Geology. vol. 40, n° 0091-7613, pp. 771-774, 29/08/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, FRE 2761, CNRS, GR, UR, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Spatial and long-term changes in the functional and structural phytoplankton communities along the French Atlantic coast
Spatial and interannual variations of phytoplankton diversity were characterized along the French Atlantic Coast in relation to physical factors and large-scale climatic indices using phytoplankton surveys conducted from 1993 to 2010 in four geographical areas. This study relates phytoplankton diversity to oyster recruitment success by comparing a 'specific' versus a 'functional' diversity approach. Functional diversity was represented by functional groups of different phytoplanktonic functional traits (size, shape, toxicity), relevant for oyster feeding during growth, reproduction and larval development. Phytoplankton diversity patterns along the French Atlantic coast corresponded to a geographical distribution mainly driven by a latitudinal gradient and hydrodynamic features as confirmed by the functional characteristics of the indicator species recorded for each geographical area (C-S-R strategies of Reynolds, specific habitat). This geographical typology was less clear for functional diversity. Only few functional groups were explained by physical factors: the non-toxic small and solitary cells were in particular related to temperature, with high densities observed in the southern areas. Even if temporal variation was less important in explaining the phytoplankton diversity patterns, the main drivers explaining the interannual pattern were the large-scale climatic indices, mainly the Atlantic Multidecennal Oscillation. Functional groups were readily explained by climatic indices than species even if the relationships cannot be applied generally because of the non-linearity of the correlations (local and temporal variations). However, the potentially toxic, small and linear phytoplankton were anticorrelated to NAO. The functional approach thus brings constructive elements concerning the relationships between the prey assemblage of oysters and their physical drivers. Redundancy and co-inertia analyses appeared as complementary analyses in investigating phytoplankton pattern of variation, being particularly useful in analyzing geographical and temporal diversity fluctuation, respectively. © 2012.
(Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. vol. 108, n° 0272-7714, pp. 37--51, 29/08/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IFREMER, LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, DYNECO, IFREMER, BOREA, UNICAEN, NU, MNHN, IRD, SU, CNRS, UA, CNRS, UNICAEN, NU, NU
Tracking atmospheric and riverine terrigenous supplies variability during the last glacial and the Holocene in central Mediterranean
The objectives were to retrace the eolian and fluvial terrigenous supplies in a sediment core from the Sicilian-Tunisian Strait by coupling mineralogical, grain-size and geochemical approaches, in order to get informations on the atmospheric versus riverine 5 contributions to sedimentation on the southern side of central Mediterranean since the last glacial. The eolian supply is dominant over the whole interval, excepted during the sapropel S1 when riverine contribution apparently became significant, and particles provenance has been modified since Last Glacial. Saharan contribution increased during the Bølling-Allerød, evidencing the persistence of aridity over North Africa although the northern Mediterranean already experienced moister and warmer conditions. The Younger Dryas is marked by proximal dust inputs highlighting intense regional eolian activity. A southward migration of dust provenance toward Sahel occurred at the onset of the Holocene, likely resulting from a southward position of the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, probably associated with a large-scale atmospheric reorganization. Finally, a peculiar high terrigenous flux associated with drastic modifications of the mineralogical and geochemical sediment signature occurred during the sapropel S1, suggesting the propagation of fine-particles derived from major floodings of the Nile River – resulting from enhanced rainfall on northeastern Africa – and their transportation across the Sicilian-Tunisian Strait by intermediate water-masses.
(pp. 2921–2968, 29/08/2026)
LOG, INSU - CNRS, ULCO, CNRS, IRD [Ile-de-France], LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, GEOPS, UP11, CNRS
A new insight for micropollutants in activated sludge: variability of influent concentrations and effects of operating parameters on removal performances
We investigated how variable were concentrations in raw wastewater for 6 beta-blockers and 10 metals. Measured concentrations suggested a different consumption of 4 beta-blockers according to the season. We observed the same variability for metals. During a day, influent concentrations were not constant. However, daily concentrations seemed to be similar for consecutive days. So a robust understanding of a treatment process implied the knowledge of influent concentrations. We studied also the influence of operating conditions on micropollutant removal. We observed that a higher temperature, a lower MLSS concentration and a higher ammonium oxidation promoted micropollutant removal.
(pp. 5, 29/08/2026)
UR MALY, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UMR Qualisud, Cirad, UM1, UM2, Montpellier SupAgro, AU, UR, UM, Montpellier SupAgro
Canyon Heads and River Plumes: How Might They Influence Neritic Planktonic Foraminifera Communities In The SE Bay of Biscay?
The present study discusses the distribution of living planktonic foraminifera (LPF) in a neritic environment from the SE Bay of Biscay. Four sites, located at the head of Capbreton Canyon and near the Adour River mouth, were sampled during four cruises between June 2006 and July 2008. Each site was sampled with a plankton net (>100 μm) to characterize the LPF communities. The four onshore stations are here compared to three offshore stations located along a bathymetric transect on the Plateau des Landes to document the influence of submarine canyon bathymetry and river input on LPF communities. Five major species were observed: Globigerina bulloides, Globigerinella calida-G. bulloides complex, Neogloboquadrina pachyderma dextral, Globorotalia inflata, and Turborotalita quinqueloba. Late spring (mid-June 2006) standing stocks showed a decreasing trend toward the coast, whereas fall (late November 2007) and summer (mid-July 2008) standing stocks showed higher values at the canyon head and onshore stations. High standing stocks dominated by specimens from the G. calida-G. bulloides complex were recovered in late November 2007 at neritic stations and could be related to upwelling and/or strong tidal currents in the submarine Capbreton Canyon. Their distribution and production in the SE Bay of Biscay is affected by the Adour River turbidity discharge and also by mesoscale upwelling events induced around the Capbreton Canyon head.
(Journal of Foraminiferal Research. vol. 42, n° 0096-1191, pp. 257 - 269, 29/08/2026)
BIAF, UA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LPG-ANGERS, LPG, UA, UN UFR ST, UN, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Biogeochemical dynamics related to seasonal changes and biomass-density patterns in rhyzosphere sediments of a Zostera noltii meadow
(29/08/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LPG-ANGERS, LPG, UA, UN UFR ST, UN, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CJB, UA, IRD, UB