A new species of Diopatra (Annelida, Onuphidae) from Akanda National Park in Gabon (West Africa)
Several ecological surveys were recently conducted in the Akanda National Park in Gabon. The main objectives of this study were to assess the urban impact on the estuarine ecosystem of Libreville and to document the benthic biodiversity of this ecosystem. Among all the species collected, a new species of Diopatra was discovered in different habitats, including mangroves. This species is described and illustrated in detail, and information on 16S gene is provided. Diopatra ariasi sp. nov. is a medium-sized species and belongs to the D. neapolitana complex, having antennae with long ceratophores and ventral lobes. This species is also characterized by the presence of ceratophores with 9–12 rings on antennae, by sensory buds which are semicircular, by spiraled branchiae from chaetiger 4–5; by bidentate pseudocompound falcigers with moderately long hoods in first four chaetigers; by pectinate chaetae with 11–15 teeth from chaetiger 6–8 and by bidentate subacicular hooks from chaetiger 15–18.
(Marine Biodiversity. vol. 55, n° 1867-1616, pp. 94, 03/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UMR MARBEC, IRD, IFREMER, CNRS, UM
Role of aquatic macrophytes on diel evolution of lowland streams nutrient concentrations, pCO2 and d-13DIC
(03/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Influence of cockle bioturbation on microphytobenthic primary producers: habitat and density-dependent effects
While the global impact of the edible cockle Cerastoderma edule on microphytobenthos (MPB) dynamics has been extensively studied, some underlying processes remain unknown, such as their non-trophic interactions. For this purpose, a laboratory mesocosm experimental approach was used to quantify the bioturbation generated by C. edule adults and their influence on oxygen and nutrient fluxes, MPB biomass and photosynthetic performance at the sediment-water interface. The effects of sediment properties and cockle densities (0, 288, 720 and 1,297 ind. m−2) were also investigated. Our results showed that cockles exert a net negative density-dependent effect on MPB biomass, with intensity varying according to sediment type. This is mainly due to sediment reworking by cockles and their emergence at the sediment surface, mechanically disrupting MPB biofilms. Nonetheless, the physiological status and photosynthetic performances of the remaining MPB cells were not impacted. This could be explained by cockle bioirrigation which stimulates nutrient fluxes at the sediment surface and cell turnover. In the finest sediment, the stimulation of MPB growth by nutrient fluxes did not compensate algal biomass loss due to burial, leading to a net decrease in MPB biomass. In coarser sediment, no significant impact of cockles on the net total MPB biomass was observed. This indicates a balance between suboptimal sediment condition for MPB, biofilm destruction by cockles, and enhanced bioirrigation rates that increase nutrient availability for MPB biofilms at the sediment-water interface.
(Marine Biology. vol. 172, n° 0025-3162, pp. 70, 03/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, MERSEA, UNICAEN, NU, BOREA, UNICAEN, NU, MNHN, IRD, SU, CNRS, UA, UNICAEN, NU, CESAM
Relating estuarine turbidity maxima to tide and river conditions
Tidal rivers and estuaries may experience high levels of suspended particulate matter (SPM), which impacts water quality and ecosystem functioning. The processes controlling the development of estuarine turbidity maxima (ETM) are fairly well understood. However, predicting the maximum SPM concentration in an estuary based on aggregated parameters (estuarine dimensions, river discharge, tidal range) remains, up to now, impossible without extensive in-situ measurements and/or numerical models. This study introduces an approach that links the strength of the ETM to the tidal, river, and morphological characteristics of a system. Using in-situ data from contrasting meso- to macro-tidal estuaries, we found a consistent pattern of maximum SPM concentrations within a two-dimensional parameter space. The resulting turbidity diagram reveals a high SPM hotspot in estuaries with specific forcing conditions, corresponding to intermediate relative tidal amplitudes and freshwater Froude numbers. This multi-site research advances our predictions of ETM intensity in tide-dominated estuaries, offering a straightforward method to explore potential turbidity trajectories under various human pressures.
(Scientific Reports. vol. 16, n° 2045-2322, pp. 3096, 03/09/2026)
DYNECO, IFREMER, IOW, RHITME, Cerema, M2C, UNICAEN, NU, INSU - CNRS, UNIROUEN, NU, CNRS, BAW, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, TU Delft
En-échelon Rifting and Origin of the Volcanism in the Comoros
Two volcanic provinces have been recently discovered during the SISMAORE oceanographic cruise in the Comoros archipelago in the North Mozambique Channel between Madagascar and East Africa: N'Droundé, along the North-eastern insular slopes of Grande Comores Island and Mwezi, in the abyssal plain, north-east of Mayotte and Anjouan islands. By combining bathymetry and backscatter data, high-resolution seismic reflection and sub-bottom profiles, we have identified and mapped various tectonic (faults, forced folds) and volcanic structures (lava flows, edifices, sills, dykes) at several spatial scales on the seabed and in crosssection within the sedimentary cover. We have characterized the volcano-tectonic structures (geometry, segmentation, and kinematics) to better understand the link (geometry, chronology) between tectonic and volcanic processes. We show that volcanic and tectonic features are controlled by tectonic processes and viceversa. Ridges, volcanic cones and lava flows are set up along fissures and dikes during main rifting events to accommodate a N40°E regional extension within an E-W right lateral shear transfer zone. The volcano tectonic features are Plio-Pleistocene. This transfer zone lies between the offshore branch of the East African rift system and Malagasy grabens and may have formed when the East African rifts propagated offshore. We evidence a major rifting episode in the last Ma. The estimated volume and flux of extruded lavas show that the volcanism of the Comoros could be related to shallow tectonic processes.
(Geochemistry, Geophysics, Geosystems. vol. 26, pp. e2024GC011576, 03/09/2026)
IPGP - UMR_7154, INSU - CNRS, IGN, UR, IPG Paris, CNRS, UPCité, BRGM, LMV, IRD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UCA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, iSTeP, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, CY
Le mystère de la maladie des pêcheurs (2020-2021) sénégalais levé [Note politique AWA]
Il aura fallu quatre années d'investigations, la mobilisation d'une quarantaine de scientifiques à travers une vingtaine d'équipes de recherche situées dans une quinzaine de laboratoires à travers le monde, pour venir àbout de l'énigme de la maladie mystérieuse qui a sévit au Sénégal en 2020 et 2021 chez les pêcheurs artisans. Cette maladie mystérieuse a touché plus d'un millier de pêcheurs sénégalais, suscitant l'inquiétude et l'attentioninternationale, est une dermatite aiguë. Les mêmes symptômes sont apparus sur des pêcheurs artisans en Guinée en 2023. Une étude menée par un consortium scientifique international (article publié en février 2025)dévoile l'origine de cette maladie : une toxine, la Portimine A, produite par la microalgue marine Vulcanodinium rugosum, jusqu'ici inconnu au Sénégal et dans sa sous-région CSRP. Cette toxine, qui perturbe les cellules de la peau humaine, déclenche une inflammation sévère. Cette étude met en lumière une problématique plus large : l'impact croissant des toxines environnementales sur la santé humaine, dans un contexte du changementglobal, notamment le changement climatique et l'accroissement des flux de transport maritime qui favorisent la prolifération et la redistribution de certains micro-organismes marins, comme les dinoflagellés toxiques.Le trafic maritime favorise la dissémination d'espèces marines d'un écosystème à un autre, notamment par les eaux de ballast. L'épidémie de dermatite associée à la Portimine A illustre les risques imprévisibles queles transformations subies par les écosystèmes marins peuvent entraîner. Elle souligne également l'urgence de surveiller, de manière coordonnée interdisciplinaire à une échelle sous-régionale, les espèces marinesproductrices de toxines, de comprendre leurs mécanismes d'action et d'adaptation, et de développer des solutions pour prévenir et traiter les menaces qui pèsent sur la santé humaine et les écosystèmes marins.
(pp. 16 p. multigr., 03/09/2026)
LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS, IRD, UCAD, LERBO, COAST, IFREMER, PSMS, URCA, PHYTOX, IFREMER, LBCM, UBS, UBO EPE, IUEM, IRD, INSU - CNRS, UBO EPE, CNRS, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IPBS, CNRS, EPE UT, Comue de Toulouse
Differentiating estuarine dissolved organic matter composition by unsupervised and supervised machine learning
Differentiating the composition of Dissolved Organic Matter (DOM) in estuaries is a major environmental concern, as the DOM characteristics are closely linked to biogeochemical and ecological considerations (e.g. water properties and trophic cycling). However, tracing the spatiotemporal variations of estuarine DOM is challenging due to multiple sources and complex transformation processes. Here, we investigate the dynamics of estuarine DOM by analyzing the optical properties of DOM through UV-Visible absorbance and fluorescence spectroscopy, while also capturing the variability of DOM using machine learning algorithms and explainable artificial intelligence. To this aim, we collected sub-surface water samples (n = 249) from a human-impacted estuary with intense industrialization and urbanization in France (Seine Estuary) across distinct land use characteristics in contrasting hydrological conditions. We then applied unsupervised and supervised machine learning techniques to analyze the optical properties of DOM, which were determined by UV-Visible absorbance and Excitation-Emission Matrix (EEM) fluorescence spectroscopy combined with parallel factor analysis (PAR-AFAC). Our results show that unsupervised machine learning (K-means clustering) captures the spatial variabilities of DOM, identifying three distinct estuarine zones based on pronounced spatial variations of several DOM optical parameters. Supervised machine learning (Light Gradient Boosted Machine, LightGBM) further validates the rationality of the defined zonation. Subsequently, explainable artificial intelligence based on SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis shows that DOM in each zone has specific characteristics. Our model indicates that DOM in the Seine Estuary is primarily influenced by high molecular weight materials and autochthonous contributions in the upper estuary (Zone I). The dominant contribution to DOM in the mid-estuary (Zone II) comes from autochthonous and aromatic material as well as transformation and (photo)degradation products. Lower estuary (Zone III) is mainly characterized by aromatic DOM (subject to photodegradation), low molecular weight compounds, autochthonous DOM, as well as transformation and (photo)degradation products. Overall, this study presents a workflow for differentiating the composition of DOM, tracing the variability and dynamics of DOM along the land-to-sea continuum, and elucidating the involved processes. The approach developed in the Seine Estuary has significant implications for environmental management and can be adapted to other land-sea continuums.
(Water Research. vol. 284, n° 0043-1354, pp. 123900, 03/09/2026)
METIS, EPHE, PSL, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Tidal Pumping, Alkalinity Production and Export: An Overlooked Carbon Sequestration Process in Salt Marshes
(03/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Semi-empirical forecast modelling of rip-current and shore-break wave hazards
Sandy beaches are highly attractive but also potentially dangerous environments for those entering the water as they can be exposed to physical hazards in the surf zone. The most severe and widespread natural bathing hazards on beaches are rip currents and shore-break waves, which form under different wave, tide, and morphological conditions. This paper introduces two new, simple semiempirical rip-current and shore-break wave hazard forecast models. These physics-informed models, which depend on a limited number of free parameters, can be used to compute the time evolution of the rip-current flow speed V and shore-break wave energy E sb . These models are applied to a high-energy mesotidal-macrotidal beach, La Lette Blanche, in southwest France, where intense rip-currents and shore-break wave hazards co-exist. Hourly lifeguardperceived hazards collected during patrolling hours (from 11:00 a.m. to 07:00 p.m. LT (UTC+2)) during July and August of 2022 are used to calibrate the two models. These data are also used to transform V and E sb into a five-level scale from 0 (no hazard) to 4 (hazard maximised). The model accurately predicts rip-current and shore-break wave hazard levels, including their modulation by tide elevation and incident wave conditions, opening new perspectives for forecasting multiple surf-zone hazards on sandy beaches. In addition, daily-mean hazard forecasts demonstrate even greater predictive skill, which is important for conveying straightforward messages to the general public and lifeguard managers. The approach presented here only requires a limited number of beach morphology metrics and allows for the prediction of surf-zone hazards on beaches where wave and tide forecasts are available.
(Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences. vol. 25, n° 1561-8633, pp. 2379–2397, 03/09/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UR ETTIS, INRAE, SMGBL, UR EABX, INRAE
Use of solute concentration gradients in the benthic boundary layer to highlight sediment source-sink dynamics: a non-invasive in situ study
Oxygen, nutrients, and pollutants fluxes at the sediment-water interface are involved in the water quality and ecological status of shallow coastal environments. The short-term variabilities of these fluxes, in response to hydrodynamic and benthic biogeochemical processes in the field, make it difficult to assess the net balance of these fluxes. Here we evaluate the ability of using concentration gradients in the benthic boundary layer to better understand temporal variations in these fluxes. Three shallow Mediterranean coastal lagoons (Berre, Thau and Prévost lagoons), affected by deoxygenation events and depicting contrasting water quality status, were investigated. A Benthic Oxygen Gradient Observatory System (BOGOS) was set-up and deployed for two weeks in each lagoon to obtain continuous oxygen gradient time-series. In addition, concentration gradients of nutrients (Si, NH4+, PO43−) and trace elements (Fe, Mn, Co, As, Cu, Mo, MeHg) were obtained using a specifically dedicated benthic water sampler (SUSANE) deployed under contrasting oxygenation conditions (oxic, hypoxic, anoxic, euxinic) and diurnal cycles (day and night). The results enabled us firstly to better define the limits of applying the gradient method in shallow coastal areas, considering environmental conditions (water stratification, intense water mixing, low flux intensity) as well as technical limitations (concentration uncertainty). This approach then allowed to accurately capture contrasted benthic oxygen dynamics: diurnal cycles in sediments colonized by macrophytes in Prévost and Thau lagoons, and a dominant high oxygen demand in bare sediments in Berre lagoon. Benthic solute gradients in Berre lagoon indicated release of nutrients from the sediment under normoxic conditions after a long-term anoxic event, as well as release of dissolved Mn, Fe, As and Co under anoxic conditions. Under euxinic conditions, gradients reversed for most trace elements that were trapped in sediment due to (co)precipitation with sulfide minerals, while nutrient gradients indicated continuing sizeable releases to the water column. The benthic concentration gradient approach can thus be seen as a promising approach in assessing the dynamics of benthic fluxes at an appropriate time scale in highly dynamic shallow coastal lagoons. This effort should be completed by vertical turbulent diffusivity measurements, to obtain time series of turbulent fluxes of various solutes.
(Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. vol. 323, n° 0272-7714, pp. 109432, 03/09/2026)
CHROME, UNIMES, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UAG, INSU - CNRS, UM, CNRS, CEREGE, IRD, AMU, CdF (institution), INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INRAE, UMR Marbec - Station Sète, UMR MARBEC, IRD, IFREMER, CNRS, UM, MIO, IRD, AMU, INSU - CNRS, UTLN, CNRS, LCE, AMU, INC-CNRS, CNRS, HSM, IRD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UM, CCEM, IFREMER