Contamination of soils by metals and organic micropollutants: case study of the Parisian conurbation
Soils are playing a central role in the transfer and accumulation of anthropogenic pollutants in urbanized regions. Hence, this study aimed at examining the contamination levels of selected soils collected within and around the Paris conurbation (France). This also evaluated factors controlling contamination. Twenty-three trace and major elements as well as 82 organic micropollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), phthalates (PAEs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), alkylphenols (APs), and perfluoroalkylated substances (PFASs) were analyzed. Results reinforced the concern raised by the occurrence and levels of metals such as Zn, Pb, Cu, and Hg, identified as metallic markers of anthropogenic activities, but also pointed out the ubiquitous contamination of soils by organic micropollutants in the 0.2–55,000-μg/kg dw range. For well-documented compounds like PAHs, PCBs, and to a lesser extent PBDEs, contents were in the range of background levels worldwide. The pollutant stock in tested soil was compared to the annual atmospheric input. For PAHs; Pb; and to a lesser extent Zn, Cu, Cd, Hg, Sb, PAEs, and APs, a significant stock was observed, far more important than the recent annual atmospheric fluxes. This resulted from both (i) the persistence of a fraction of pollutants in surface soils and (ii) the cumulative atmospheric inputs over several decades. Regarding PBDEs and PFASs, stronger atmospheric input contributions were observed, thereby highlighting their recent dispersal into the environment.
(Environmental Science and Pollution Research. vol. 25, n° 0944-1344, pp. 23559–23573, 20/10/2026)
LEESU, ENPC, UPEC UP12, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, GEDI, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, METIS, UPMC, EPHE, PSL, CNRS, EPHE, PSL, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Taxonomy and operational identification of Quaternary species of Spiniferites and related genera
In this article, we are proposing an Identification Key for recognition of Quaternary Spiniferites species and some morphologically close Quaternary taxa of some related genera. We summarize the morphological features of 43 taxa (including three subspecies and one variety) based on the original description of the holotypes and sometimes supplemented by our observations. In addition to the Identification Key, we refer to published illustrations that feature both typical and atypical specimens for each taxon. The compilation of this key gave us the opportunity to reconsider some taxonomic concepts, which resulted in two new combinations and an emendation: Hafniasphaera granulata (Mao 1989) comb. nov., emend. and Hafniasphaera multisphaera (Price and Pospelova 2014) comb. nov. In addition, we recommend that the names Spiniferites nodosus and Spiniferites pseudofurcatus subsp. obliquus be restricted to their holotype.
(Palynology. vol. 42, n° 0191-6122, pp. 45-71, 20/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CR2P, MNHN, SU, CNRS
Early back-calculated size-at-age of Atlantic yellow eels sampled along ecological gradients in the Gironde and St. Lawrence hydrographical systems
An international sampling program investigating the causes of the decline of American eels (Anguilla rostrata) and European eels (Anguilla anguilla) in the St. Lawrence (Canada) and Gironde (France) rivers systems provided the opportunity to compare early growth of eels of each species among habitats using back-calculated size
(Canadian Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences. vol. 75, n° 0706-652X, pp. 1270-1279, 20/10/2026)
INRS, DFO-MPO, UR EABX, IRSTEA, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Multi-decadal to centennial hydro-climate variability and linkage to solar forcing in the Western Mediterranean during the last 1000 years
Here we present a new composite record from two well-dated speleothem records from two caves in Northern Morocco. The high-resolution record covers the last millennium allowing to detect multi-decadal to centennial periodicities. Over the industrial period, δ18O values of our speleothems are shown to be dominated by the main mode of decadal variability in the North Atlantic region: the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Statistical analyses confirm the previously reported multi-decadal variability related to the influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) in the region. High power and persistent centennial-scale periodicities, similar to the Vries-Suess 200-year solar cycle, are observed as well. Indeed, comparison between solar activity reconstructions and our record confirms the in-phase relationship on centennial time-scales. Low δ18O values, and hence negative phases of NAO that bring precipitation towards the Western Mediterranean, are observed during well-known solar minima periods. The results are consistent with previous models which describe low irradiance as a trigger for southward shifts of precipitation-bearing westerlies during winter.
(Scientific Reports. vol. 8, pp. 17446, 20/10/2026)
Xjtu, MPIC, USP, LOCEAN-VALCO, LOCEAN, MNHN, IRD, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, IPSL (FR_636), ENS-PSL, UVSQ, CEA, INSU - CNRS, X, CNES, SU, CNRS, UPCité, JGU, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UMN, UMN
Influence of recent climatic events on the surface water storage of the Tonle Sap Lake
Lakes and reservoirs have been identified as sentinels of climate change. Tonle Sap is the largest lake in both the Mekong Basin and Southeast Asia and because of the importance of its ecosystem, it is has been described as the “heart of the lower Mekong”. Its seasonal cycle depends on the annual flood pulse governed by the flow of the Mekong River. This study provides an impact analysis of recent climatic events from El Niño 1997/1998 to El Niño 2015/2016 on surface storage variations in the Tonle Sap watershed determined by combining remotely sensed observations, multispectral images and radar altimetry from 1993 to 2017. The Lake's surface water volume variations are highly correlated with rainy season rainfall in the whole Mekong River Basin (R = 0.84) at interannual time-scale. Extreme droughts and floods can be observed when precipitation deficit and excess is recorded in both the Tonle Sap watershed and the Mekong River Basin during moderate to very strong El Niño/La Niña events (R = −0.70) enhanced by the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (R = −0.68). Indian and Western North Pacific Monsoons were identified as having almost equal influence. Below normal vegetation activity was observed during the first semester of 2016 due to the extreme drought in 2015.
(Science of the Total Environment. vol. 636, n° 0048-9697, pp. 1520-1533, 20/10/2026)
GET, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, LEGOS, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CESBIO, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, INRAE, LOG, INSU - CNRS, ULCO, CNRS, IRD [Ile-de-France], LMTG, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, CNRS
Distribution and (palaeo)ecological affinities of the mainSpiniferitestaxa in the mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere
In marine sediments of late Cenozoic age, Spiniferites is a very common genus of dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts). Despite some taxonomical ambiguities due to large range of morphological variations within given species and convergent morphologies between different species, the establishment of an operational taxonomy permitted to develop a standardized modern database of dinocysts for the mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. In the database that includes 1490 surface sediment samples, Spiniferites mirabilis-hyperacanthus, Spiniferites ramosus and Spiniferites elongatus were counted in addition to Spiniferites belerius, Spiniferites bentorii, Spiniferites bulloideus, Spiniferites delicatus, Spiniferites lazus and Spiniferites membranaceus. Among these taxa, Spiniferites mirabilis-hyperacanthus, Spiniferites ramosus, and Spiniferites elongatus are easy to identify and are particularly common. Spiniferites bentorii and Spiniferites delicatus also are morphologically distinct and occur in relatively high percentages in many samples. Spiniferites lazus and Spiniferites membranaceus also bear distinctive features, but occur only in a few samples. The identification of other taxa (Spiniferites belerius, Spiniferites bulloideus, notably) may be equivocal and their reported distribution has to be used with caution. The spatial distribution of Spiniferites species, with emphasis on the five most common taxa, is documented here with reference to hydrography (salinity and temperature in winter and summer, sea ice cover), primary productivity and geographical setting (bathymetry, distance to the coastline). The results demonstrate distinct ecological affinities for Spiniferites elongatus, which has an Arctic-subarctic distribution and appears abundant in low productivity environments characterized by winter sea ice and large temperature contrast between winter and summer. Spiniferites mirabilis-hyperacanthus, which occurs in warm temperate water sites, is more abundant in high salinity environments. It shares its environmental domain with Spiniferites bentorii, which appears to have a narrower distribution towards the warm and high salinity end of the Spiniferites mirabilis-hyperacanthus distribution. In contrast, Spiniferites delicatus, which occurs in warm-temperate to tropical environments, shows preference for relatively low salinity and low seasonal contrasts of temperature. Spiniferites ramosus exhibits a particularly wide distribution that overlaps both cold and warm Spiniferites taxa. Its cosmopolitan occurrence and its long-ranging biostratigraphical distribution suggest a high plasticity of the species and/or co-occurrence of several cryptic species. Hence, whereas Spiniferites elongatus and Spiniferites mirabilis-hyperacanthus are useful palaeoecological indicators despite their large morphological variability, Spiniferites ramosus is a taxon with an unconstrained ecological significance.
(Palynology. vol. 42, n° 0191-6122, pp. 182-202, 20/10/2026)
UQAM, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, GEUS, AWI, UVIC, ISMER, UQAR
The dinoflagellate cyst genera Achomosphaera Evitt 1963 and Spiniferites Mantell 1850 in Pliocene to modern sediments: a summary of round table discussions
We present a summary of two round-table discussions held during two subsequent workshops in Montreal (Canada) on 16 April 2014 and Ostend (Belgium) on 8 July 2015. Five species of the genus Achomosphaera Evitt 1963 and 33 of the genus Spiniferites Mantell 1850 emend. Sarjeant 1970 occuring in Pliocene to modern sediments are listed and briefly described along with remarks made by workshop participants. In addition, several holotypes and topotypes are reillustrated. Three species previously assigned to Spiniferites are here considered/accepted as belonging to other genera: Impagidinium inaequalis (Wall and Dale in Wall et al. 1973) Londeix et al. 2009, Spiniferites? rubinus (Rossignol 1962 ex Rossignol 1964) Sarjeant 1970, and Thalassiphora balcanica Balteş 1971. This summary forms the basis for a set of papers that follows, where points raised during the workshops are explored in greater detail.
(Palynology. vol. 42, n° 0191-6122, pp. 10-44, 20/10/2026)
DGD.REVE, MNHN, GEOTOP, EPM, UdeM, UQAT, UQAR, UQAM, UCPH, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CR2P, MNHN, SU, CNRS, LGO, UBS, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS, ISMER, UQAR, LSU
Migrations néandertaliennes et variations climatiques pendant le Saalien supérieur. Apport des modélisations analogiques en enceintes thermo-regulées
(pp. 23-24, 20/10/2026)
CReAAH, UM, UR, UR2, CNRS, UFR HHAA, UN, MC, NSU, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Deglacial to postglacial history of Nares Strait, Northwest Greenland: a marine perspective from Kane Basin
A radiocarbon-dated marine sediment core retrieved in Kane Basin, central Nares Strait, was analysed to constrain the timing of the postglacial opening of this Arctic gateway and its Holocene evolution. This study is based on a set of sedimentological and geochemical proxies of changing sedimentary processes and sources that provide new insight into the evolution of ice sheet configuration in Nares Strait. Proglacial marine sedimentation at the core site initiated ca. 9.0 cal ka BP following the retreat of grounded ice. Varying contributions of sand and clasts suggest unstable sea ice conditions and glacial activity, which subsisted until ca. 7.5 cal ka BP under the combined influence of warm atmospheric temperatures and proglacial cooling induced by the nearby Innuitian (IIS) and Greenland (GIS) ice sheets. An interval rich in ice-rafted debris (IRD) is interpreted as the collapse of the ice saddle in Kennedy Channel ca. 8.3 cal ka BP that marks the complete opening of Nares Strait and the initial connection between the Lincoln Sea and northernmost Baffin Bay. Delivery of sediment by icebergs was strengthened between ca. 8.3 and ca. 7.5 cal ka BP following the collapse of the buttress of glacial ice in Kennedy Channel that triggered the acceleration of GIS and IIS fluxes toward Nares Strait. The destabilisation in glacial ice eventually led to the rapid retreat of the GIS in eastern Kane Basin at about 8.1 cal ka BP as evidenced by a noticeable change in sediment geochemistry in our core. The gradual decrease in carbonate inputs to Kane Basin between ∼ 8.1 and ∼ 4.1 cal ka BP reflects the late deglaciation of Wash-ington Land. The shoaling of Kane Basin can be observed in our record by the increased winnowing of lighter particles as the glacio-isostatic rebound brought the seabed closer to subsurface currents. Reduced iceberg delivery from 7.5 to 1.9 cal ka BP inferred by our dataset may be linked to the retreat of the bordering ice sheets on land that decreased their number of marine termini.
(Climate of the Past. vol. 14, n° 1814-9324, pp. 1991-2010, 20/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ULaval, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CEN, ULaval, ISMER, UQAR
Relative Contribution of Wave Setup to the Storm Surge: Observations and Modeling Based Analysis in Open and Protected Environments (Truc Vert beach and Tubuai island)
(20/10/2026)
BRGM, IFREMER, DYNECO, IFREMER, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS