STABLE OXYGEN AND CARBON ISOTOPES OF LIVE (STAINED) BENTHIC FORAMINIFERA FROM CAP-FERRET CANYON (BAY OF BISCAY)
A 2800-m-deep station (Station I) from the lower part of Cap-Ferret Canyon (Bay of Biscay) was sampled with a multitube corer in January 1999, June 1999 and April 2000. Four cores (with two replicate cores in April 2000) were investigated to study the stable carbon and oxygen isotopes of live (rose-Bengal-stained) foraminiferal taxa. Eight taxa were analyzed: Hoeglundina elegans, Cibicides wuellerstorfi, Uvigerina peregrina, Bulimina inflata, Melonis barleeanus, Pullenia quinqueloba, Chilostomella oolina and Globobulimina affinis. By using the apparent oxygen utilization of the lower Northeastern Atlantic Deep Water (NEADW) in our study area, we calculated the bottom-water d 13 C DIC , which we compared with foraminiferal carbon isotope values. Next, we investigated the relationship between the foraminiferal d 13 C and the microhabitat of investigated species. By using the value of d 18 O (SMOW) for the lower NEADW, we calculated the equilibrium calcite d 18 O of the bottom water, which we compared with the foraminiferal d 18 O. The occurrence of a living holothurian in its deep infaunal burrow from one of two replicate cores collected in April 2000 (core B) allowed us to investigate the impact of macrofaunal activity on foraminiferal isotopes. Our results are finally compared with data from shallower open-slope stations close to our study area. The d 13 C signatures of most foraminiferal taxa are not correlated to the bottom-water d 13 C DIC but seem to be controlled by a microhabitat effect. Only the d 13 C of Cibicides wuellerstorfi is close to the bottom water d 13 C DIC. When investigating oxygen isotopes, there is no obvious relationship between the foraminiferal microhabitat and the offset between the foraminiferal d 18 O and the equilibrium calcite d 18 O. The presence of a living holothurian had no obvious effect on the d 18 O and d 13 C of foraminifera occurring in the bioturbated interval. However, several individuals of Melonis barleeanus collected in the direct vicinity of the holothurian exhibited lower d 13 C values, suggesting a potential influence of macrofaunal activity on the carbon isotopes of some intermediate and deep infaunal taxa calcifying in the deep sediment. The comparison of Dd 13 C between Uvigerina peregrina, M. barleeanus and Globobulimina spp. with values recorded at shallower stations suggests that the focusing of organic matter in an intermediate state of decay, at our canyon station, has a weak impact on the biogeochemical processes deeper in the sediment. The d 13 C of U. peregrina and the Dd 13 C between U. peregrina and Globobulimina affinis appears definitively more sensitive to labile organic matter supplies than to the advection of low-quality, organic matter.
(Journal of Foraminiferal Research. vol. 38, n° 0096-1191, pp. 39-51, 01/01/2008)
BIAF, UA, LPGN, UN, CNRS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, PALEOCEAN, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Courants induits et dissipation de l'énergie des vagues sur les plages macrotidales de la mer d'Iroise
Several field experiments of both morphological and hydrodynamical measurements occured during springs 2004 and 2005 on four beaches of the Iroise Sea (Finistère). Within these four datasets (sea surface elevation, cross-shore and longshore flow velocities), dissipation of wave energy is investigated through time (accounting with tidal cycle) and space (across the intertidal zone). These results are compared to empirical parametrizations of relative wave height Γs (Raubenheimer et al., 1996 ; Sénéchal et al., 2001), parameter greatly used in hydrodynamic models. Then, the local breaking criteria Γs,b is used to characterize wave-related processes (wave asymetry, breaking-induced undertow) involved in sediment transport in the intertidal zone
(European Journal of Environmental and Civil Engineering. vol. 12, n° 1964-8189, pp. 105-116, 01/01/2008)
LETG - Brest, LETG, UNICAEN, NU, UA, EPHE, PSL, UBO EPE, UR2, CNRS, IGARUN, UN, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Brown muscle disease (BMD), an emergent pathology affecting Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Arcachon Bay (SW France)
We describe an emerging pathology, brown muscle disease (BMD), which specifically affects the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum in Arcachon Bay (France). BMD induces a transformation of the posterior adductor muscle, which becomes infused by conchiolin and calcified, reducing the ability of clams to bury. The disease affects both types of muscular tissue, with striated muscle becoming affected to a higher degree than smooth muscle. Two indices were created to quantify the symptoms: the Muscle Print Index, used for empty and live shells, and the Final Disease Index, utilized for live clams only. Histological sections were made and observed under light microscopy to examine the muscular damage and to investigate a causal agent. Sections revealed an important inflammatory response with a large invasion of hemocytes into tissues and a heavy necrosis of muscular fibers. Additionally, molecular biology analyses were carried out to search for bacteria and protozoan agents using generic primers. In both histological and molecular assays, bacteria and protozoans were discounted. We monitored 4 sites scattered around the bay over 2 yr. The mean prevalence was <12% without seasonal variation in 3 sites against 30% and a winter peak in 1 site. The latter site was accurately surveyed and revealed that clams at the sediment surface (abnormal position) were affected 3 times more frequently than buried clams (normal position)
(Diseases of Aquatic Organisms. vol. 80, n° 0177-5103, pp. 219-228, 23/02/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LRHA, HGS, IFREMER
Seasonal export of plankton foraminifera in the Bay of Biscay
(23/02/2026)
LPGN, UN, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Particle fluxes and recent sediment accumulation on the Aquitanian margin of Bay of Biscay
(23/02/2026)
LPGN, UN, CNRS, LOV, OOVM, UPMC, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UPMC, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, PALEOCEAN, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA
Live (stained) benthic foraminifera from the Rhone prodelta: environmental controls and temporal variability
(23/02/2026)
BIAF, UA, LPGN, UN, CNRS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, OCEANIS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Application de la théorie SLOSS (Single Large or Several Small) aux communautés périphytiques de deux cours d'eau : à superficie égale, est-il préférable d'échantillonner une grande réserve ou plusieurs petites?
La théorie de la biogéographie insulaire repose sur le fait que la richesse spécifique des peuplements fragmentés dépend de l'équilibre entre taux d'immigration et taux d'extinction, la taille des « réserves naturelles » de l'habitat étant susceptible de conditionner l'efficacité de la conservation de la biodiversité (Diamond, 1975). La distribution spatiale des communautés pose dans la pratique le problème de bien déterminer la taille des réserves à étudier afin d'éviter le sous-échantillonnage. Dans cette étude des communautés périphytiques (diatomées et bactéries) de la Vézère et de la Garonne, nous avons cherché à identifier les apports du choix, à superficie identique échantillonnée, d'un prélèvement sur substrat de grande taille (Single Large) vs. plusieurs petits (Several Small). Des analyses quantitatives globales révèlent que les tendances sont variables selon le cours d'eau et selon les paramètres étudiés (matière sèche, chlorophylle, densité de diatomées). En règle générale, la quantité de biomasse par unité de surface est plus importante pour les grands substrats échantillonnés, soutenant la théorie selon laquelle une grande réserve est plus efficace que deux plus petites de superficie égale. L'étude qualitative souligne également l'influence de la taille de la réserve échantillonnée, en termes de diversité mais également en termes de structure spécifique, la composition des prélèvements réalisés sur substrats de plus grande taille indiquant une complexification plus rapide de la communauté.
(pp. 1, 23/02/2026)
UR REBX, CEMAGREF, LEFE, INEE-CNRS, CNRS, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, CNRS, Toulouse INP, Comue de Toulouse, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Silver behaviour along the salinity gradient of the Gironde estuary: reactivity and bioaccumulation in eel (anguilla anguilla)
The objective of the present work is to document for the first time Ag concentration levels and behaviour in the salinity gradient of the highly turbid, macrotidal Gironde Estuary. Furthermore, a potential impact of estuarine Ag dissolution on bioaccumulation in European eels is discussed.
(pp. 2, 23/02/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UR EPBX, CEMAGREF
Organic matter dynamics and budgets in the turbidity maximum zone of the Seine Estuary (France)
Organic matter was studied in the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ) of the Seine Estuary during 8 tidal cycles from April to October in 2001, 2002 and 2003, covering a salinity range from 0 to 27. The hydrological conditions were quite varied (extremely wet in 2001, unusually dry in 2003). A particularly striking feature is the high organic matter content in the suspended solids (SS) of the Seine estuary (4-5%). By determining micro-organism activity and organic carbon partitioning, either linked to particles or in dissolved forms, and estimating the TMZ water volumes, together with SS, we extrapolated these activities and stocks to the whole TMZ. Carbon metabolism in the TMZ and fluxes upstream of the TMZ were compared on the dates of field surveys, and the routes and fate of carbon in the TMZ were quantified in order to learn about the trophic status of this estuarine zone in terms of autotrophy vs. heterotrophy. The upstream total organic carbon (TOC) fluxes (48% of particulate organic carbon (POC), 52% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) on average) varied fourfold between the surveys, reaching the highest value of 280 TC d-1 during the wet summer of 2001; and the lowest value of about 70 TC d-1 in August 2003. Whereas nearly all of the DOC flux entering the TMZ reaches the coastal marine zone, mostly (at least 85%) in a refractory form, the POC accumulates in the TMZ of the estuarine channel, particle exportation being negligible. In the TMZ, biodegradation of DOC was, on average, much less (only a 2% decrease in the BDOC/DOC ratio between the TMZ upstream and downstream fluxes) than biodegradation of POC (11%). A simplified model of the TMZ (LIFT- Lumped Idealisation of the ecological Functioning in estuarine Turbidity maximum) was constructed for investigating the dynamics of organic matter on a seasonal scale. The agreement between observation and calculation allowed us to run sensitivity tests using new constraints; reductions of the upstream fluxes of phytoplankton and organic carbon showed that the high content of organic matter, originating mostly from the domestic effluents of the Paris conurbation, can explain the high organic content of the Seine estuary TMZ.
(Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. vol. 77, n° 0272-7714, pp. 150-162, 23/02/2026)
LPMA, UPMC, UPD7, CNRS, UPMC, SISYPHE, UPMC, EPHE, PSL, PSL, CNRS, GEOSCIENCES, PSL, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ULB
How cadmium could compromise the completion of the european eel's reproductive migration
The European eel (Anguilla anguilla L.) is severely threatened with extinction. Surprisingly, even though their unusual life cyclemakesthem particularly vulnerable to pollution, the possible contribution of contamination remains especially poorly known. Here we have investigated the possible effect of cadmium (Cd), a widespread nonessential metal, on eel reproductive capacities. Both control and Cd precontaminated female silver eels were experimentally matured and forced to swim in metal-free conditions to mimic their reproductive migration. Cd pre-exposure was found to strongly stimulate the pituitary-gonad-liver axis of maturing female silver eels leading to early and enhanced vitellogenesis. This was followed by a strong phenomenon of oocyte atresia and eel mortality. These phenomena occurred before oocytes could reach full maturation and were associated with a large entry of both vitellogenin and Cd into the ovaries. Indeed, a redistribution of previously stored cadmium, even from the low Cd levels of control eels, was observed during sexual maturation. Atresia and mortality phenomena were also associated with an overexpression of the pituitary gene encoding the growth hormone, a marker of physiological stress and energy reserves exhaustion. Significantly, these devastating effects of Cd were observed in organisms that presented liver and kidney Cd concentrations still below those observed in eels from Cd contaminated hydrosystems. Our research shows how common levels of cadmium contamination could disrupt endocrine pathways implicated in gonad maturation and subsequently impair reproductive capacity of eel future genitors.
(Environmental Science and Technology. vol. 42, n° 0013-936X, pp. 4607-4612, 23/02/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CNRS, BOME, MNHN, UPMC, CNRS, UR EPBX, CEMAGREF