Evolution of an exploited resource (Manila clam in the Arcachon Bay) in response to natural and anthropogenic sources of change.
(25/10/2026)
LERAR, COAST, IFREMER, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LMAP, UPPA, CNRS
Réponses adaptatives ou délétères des jeunes stades de l’esturgeon européen Acipenser sturio en conditions multi-stress
L’esturgeon européen Acipenser sturio est un poisson migrateur en danger critique d’extinction dont la dernière population sauvage fréquente l’estuaire de Gironde. Depuis 1994, aucune reproduction en milieu naturel n’a été observée. Un plan national d’action vise à soutenir cette population en déclin par le lâcher chaque année de plusieurs dizaines de milliers de larves et de juvéniles dans les eaux de Garonne et de Dordogne. Dans ce contexte, la survie de ces poissons produits en captivité dans les conditions environnementales actuelles et futures en Gironde. Ainsi que la capacité des frayères historiques à accueillir à nouveau une reproduction d’esturgeon européen, sont deux problématiques essentielles. Pour répondre à ces deux interrogations des expérimentations ont été conduites dans le cadre du projet Sturtop (financement ANR et région Aquitaine) afin d’évaluer les capacités adaptatives des embryons, larves et juvéniles de A. sturio à la température, l’hypoxie, les polluants et la qualité des sédiments de frayère. Les résultats obtenus démontrent que les embryons et larves sont beaucoup plus sensibles aux hautes et basses températures (23°C) et aux conditions hypoxiques (
(pp. 29, 25/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UR EABX, IRSTEA, CNRS, INRA
Differential protein expression in the estuarine copepod Eurytemora affinis after diuron and alkylphenol exposures
Proteomics was used in the calanoid copepod Eurytemora affinis for screening of protein expression modifications induced by organic contaminants. The copepods were exposed in a continuous flow-through system for 86 h to environmentally relevant concentrations of contaminants representative of the pollution in the Seine Estuary (Haute-Normandie, France; diuron, 500 ng L−1; alkylphenol mixture, 1000 ng L−1). Proteome analysis of whole-body copepod extracts by 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that the contaminants induced modifications in protein expression, with the highest quantitative variations occurring after diuron exposure. Specifically, 88 and 41 proteins were differentially expressed after diuron and alkylphenol treatments, respectively. After mass spectrometry analysis, 51 (diuron exposure) and 15 (alkylphenol exposure) proteins were identified. The identified proteins were potentially related to energy metabolism, cell growth, nervous signal conductivity, excitotoxicity, oxidative stress response, and antioxidant defense. The data suggest a massive general disturbance of physiological functions of E. affinis after diuron exposure, whereas alkylphenols induced an alteration of a few targeted physiological functions. The protein expression signatures identified after contaminant exposure deserve further investigation in terms of the development of novel potential biomarkers for water quality assessment
(Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry. vol. 35, n° 0730-7268, pp. 1860 - 1871, 25/10/2026)
LEMA, ULH, NU, SEBIO, INERIS, URCA, ULH, NU, URCA, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LOG, INSU - CNRS, ULCO, CNRS, IRD [Ile-de-France], PBS, UNIROUEN, NU, INSA Rouen Normandie, INSA, NU, INC3M, UNICAEN, NU, ENSICAEN, NU, ULH, NU, UNIROUEN, NU, INSA Rouen Normandie, INSA, NU, INC-CNRS, CNRS, INC-CNRS, CNRS
RAD sequencing reveals within-generation polygenic selection in response to anthropogenic organic and metal contamination in North Atlantic Eels
(Molecular Ecology. vol. 25, n° 0962-1083, pp. 219--237, 25/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INRS, IBIS, ULaval
Impact of organic matter source and quality on living benthic foraminiferal distribution on a river-dominated continental margin: A study of the Portuguese margin
Living (rose Bengal stained) benthic foraminifera were investigated on surface sediments from 23 stations from the river-dominated northwestern Portuguese margin. Samples were collected in March 2011, following the period of the maximum rainfall over the Iberian Peninsula, between 20 and 2000 m water depth along five cross-margin transects. Four of them are located off the Douro, Mondego, Tagus, and Sado Rivers and one off the Estremadura coast. The major objectives of this study are (1) to assess the impact of organic matter of various origin and quality on the benthic foraminifera and (2) to investigate the spatial differences of faunal distribution from coastal waters to the deep sea under river influences. To do this, sedimentological and biogeochemical characteristics of the sediments were identified by measuring grain size, oxygen penetration depth, total organic carbon (TOC) content, stable carbon isotopic composition of TOC (δ13CTOC) and concentration of pigments and amino acids. Based on the principal component and cluster analyses of the environmental data, three major geographical groups are identified: (1) deep stations, (2) coastal and middle slope stations, and (3) shelf stations under river influence. At the deepest stations, species are associated with high organic matter (OM) quantity but low OM quality, where Uvigerina mediterranea, Hoeglundina elegans, and agglutinated species such as Reophax scorpiurus or Bigenerina nodosaria are dominant. All stations off the Sado River, which is the most affected area by the anthropogenic influence, are also characterized by high quantity but low quality of OM with the minimum faunal density and diversity within the study area. Middle slope stations are associated with low OM content and coarse sediments (Q50) with the predominance of N. scaphum. Shallow shelf stations close to the Douro and Tagus River mouths show a dominance of taxa (e.g., Ammonia beccarii, Bulimina aculeata, Eggerelloides scaber, Nonion scaphum, Cancris auriculus, and Quinqueloculina seminula) adapted to environments characterized by high OM quality (high fresh chlorophyll (Chl a/Phaeo)) and available amino acids (enzymatically hydrolyzable amino acid (EHAA)/total enzymatically hydrolyzable amino acid (THAA)). The Biotic and Environmental linking analysis suggests that the benthic foraminiferal distribution is mostly controlled by three environmental parameters, i.e., TOC (quantity), EHAA/THAA (quality), and δ13CTOC (source). Hence, this study clearly highlights that the quantitative and qualitative inputs of OM and its source are the most important factors controlling the living benthic foraminiferal distribution with clear influences between the different rivers. This study also suggests a good tolerance of several species for river discharges where the OM quality is high.
(Journal of Geophysical Research: Biogeosciences. vol. 121, n° 2169-8953, pp. 1689-1714, 25/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Palaeohydrological changes over the last 50 ky in the central Gulf of Cadiz: complex forcing mechanisms mixing multi-scale processes
New dinoflagellate cyst (dinocyst) analyses were carried out at high resolution in core MD99-2339, retrieved from a contouritic field in the central part of the Gulf of Cadiz, for the Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 3 interval, allowing for discussion of palaeohydrological changes over the last 50 ky in the subtropical NE Atlantic Ocean. Some index dinocyst taxa, according to their (palaeo)ecological significance, shed light on significant sea-surface changes. Superimposed on the general decreasing pattern of dinocyst export to the seafloor over the last 50 ky, paralleling the general context of decreasing aeolian dust fertilization, a complex variability in dinocyst assemblages was detected at the millennial timescale. Enhanced fluvial discharges occurred during Greenland Interstadials (GIs), especially GI 1, 8 and 12, while enhanced upwelling cell dynamics were suggested during the Last Glacial Maximum and Heinrich Stadials. Finally, during the early Holocene, and more specifically during the Sapropel 1 interval (around 7-9 ka BP), we evidenced a strong decrease in dinocyst fluxes, which occurred synchronously to a strong reduction in Mediterranean Outflow Water strength and which we attributed to an advection of warm and nutrient-poor subtropical North Atlantic Central Waters. Over the last 50 ky, our study thus allows for capturing and documenting the fine tuning existing between terrestrial and marine realms in North Atlantic subtropical latitudes, in response to not only the regional climate pattern but also monsoonal forcing interfering during precession-driven Northern Hemisphere insolation maxima. This mechanism, well expressed during the Holocene, is superimposed on the pervasive role of the obliquity as a first major trigger for explaining migration of dinocyst productive centres in the NE Atlantic margin to the subtropical (temperate) latitudes during glacial (interglacial) periods.
(Biogeosciences. vol. 13, n° 1726-4170, pp. 5357-5377, 25/10/2026)
LDO, INSU - CNRS, UBO EPE, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Norwegian fjord sediments reveal NAO related winter temperature and precipitation changes of the past 2800 years
The North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is the leading mode of atmospheric circulation variability in the North Atlantic region. Associated shifts of storm tracks, precipitation and temperature patterns affect energy supply and demand, fisheries and agricultural, as well as marine and terrestrial ecological dynamics. Long-term NAO records are crucial to better understand its response to climate forcing factors, and assess predictability and shifts associated with ongoing climate change. A recent study of instrumental time series revealed NAO as main factor for a strong relation between winter temperature, precipitation and river discharge in central Norway over the past 50 years. Here we compare geochemical measurements with instrumental data and show that primary productivity recorded in central Norwegian fjord sediments is sensitive to NAO variability. This observation is used to calibrate paleoproductivity changes to a 500-year reconstruction of winter NAO (Luterbacher et al., 2001). Conditioned on a stationary relation between our climate proxy and the NAO we establish a first high resolution NAO proxy record (NAO TFJ) from marine sediments covering the past 2800 years. The NAO TFJ shows distinct co-variability with climate changes over Greenland, solar activity and Northern Hemisphere glacier dynamics as well as climatically associated paleo-demographic trends. The here presented climate record shows that fjord sediments provide crucial information for an improved understanding of the linkages between atmospheric circulation, solar and oceanic forcing factors.
(Earth and Planetary Science Letters. vol. 435, n° 0012-821X, pp. 84-93, 25/10/2026)
UiT, UiT, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by the living freshwater diatom Eolimna minima, a species developed in river biofilms.
Testing biotransformation capacities of living aquatic microalgae diatoms to naturally synthetize gold nanoparticles (AuNP) from gold salts and assessing aftereffects on their viability by microscope observations is a great challenge. In this work, a laboratory experiment was conducted, which aimed to observe (i) directly by transmission electronic and light microscopy and (ii) through indirect measurements (UV-visible spectroscopy) the periphytic freshwater diatom Eolimna minima exposed to gold salts. This work revealed the capacity of E. minima to intracellularly biosynthetize AuNP and to tolerate it. AuNP synthesis appears as a mechanism of detoxification to protect diatom from gold salt contamination. We also pointed out the risks associated with the spread of diatoms full of AuNP, through the trophic web of freshwater ecosystems. The preponderant part of the diatoms in natural biofilms associated with their position at the basis of the trophic webs in rivers could then make them responsible for the contamination of their consumers (grazer animals) and consequently for the potential release of AuNP through the entire food web.
(Environmental Science and Pollution Research. vol. 23, n° 0944-1344, pp. 4334-4339, 25/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ICMCB, UB, INC-CNRS, CNRS
Atmospheric particulate mercury in the megacity Beijing: Efficiency of mitigation measures and assessment of health effects
Atmospheric particulate mercury (HgP) was studied before, during, and after the Olympic Summer Games in Beijing, China, in August 2008 in order to investigate the efficiency of the emission control measures implemented by the Chinese Government. These source control measures comprised traffic reductions, increase in public transportation, planting of vegetation, establishment of parks, building freeze at construction sites, cleaner production techniques for industries and industry closures in Beijing and also in the surrounding areas. Strictest measures including the ;odd-even ban; to halve the vehicle volume were enforced from the 20th of July to the 20th of September 2008. The Olympic period provided the unique opportunity to investigate the efficiency of these comprehensive actions implemented in order to reduce air pollution on a large scale. Therefore, the sampling period covered summer (August, September) and winter (December and January) samples over several years from December 2005 to September 2013. Average HgP concentrations in total suspended particulates (TSP) sampled in August 2008 were 81 ± 39 pg/m3 while TSP mass concentrations were 93 ± 49 μg/m3. This equals a reduction by about 63% for TSP mass and 65% for HgP, respectively, compared to the previous two years demonstrating the short-term success of the measures. However, after the Olympic Games, HgP concentrations increased again to pre-Olympic levels in August 2009 while values in August 2010 decreased again by 30%. Moreover, winter samples, which were 2- to 11-fold higher than corresponding August values, showed decreasing concentrations over the years indicating a long-term improvement of HgP pollution in Beijing. However, regarding adverse health effects, comparisons with soil guideline values and studies from other cities highlighted that HgP concentrations in TSP remained high in Beijing despite respective control measures. Consequently, future mitigation measures need to be tailored more specifically to further reduce HgP concentrations in Beijing.
(Atmospheric Environment. vol. 124, n° 1352-2310, pp. 396-403, 25/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Climate change and ecosystems dynamics over the last 6000 years in the Middle Atlas, Morocco
The present study aims at reconstructing past climate changes and their environmental impacts on plant ecosystems during the last 6000 years in the Middle Atlas, Morocco. Mean January temperature (Tjan), annual precipitation (Pann), winter (Pw) and summer (Ps) precipitation, and a seasonal index (SI) have all been quantified from a fossil pollen record. Several bio- and geo-chemical elements have also been analysed to evaluate the links between past climate, landscape, and ecosystem changes. Over the last 6000 years, climate has changed within a low temperature and precipitation range with a trend of aridity and warming towards the present. Tjan has varied within a ca. 2 °C range, and Pann within less than 100 mm yr-1. The long-term changes reconstructed in our record between 6 ka cal BP and today are consistent with the aridity trend observed in the Mediterranean basin. Despite the overall limited range of climate fluctuation, we observe major changes in the ecosystem composition, the carbon isotopic contents of organic matter (δ13C), the total organic carbon and nitrogen amount, and the carbon to nitrogen ratio (C / N) after ca. 3750 cal BP. The main ecosystem changes correspond to a noticeable transition in the conifer forest between the Atlas cedar, which expanded after 3750 cal BP, and the pine forest. These vegetation changes impacted the sedimentation type and its composition in the lake. Between 5500 and 5000 cal BP, we observe an abrupt change in all proxies which is coherent with a decrease in Tjan without a significant change in the overall amount of precipitation.
(Climate of the Past. vol. 12, n° 1814-9324, pp. 1029-1042, 25/10/2026)
URAC 45, UCD, LGR, UCA, UMR ISEM, Cirad, IRD, EPHE, PSL, UM, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS