Modeling water quality in an urban river using hydrological factors – Data driven approaches
Contrasting seasonal variations occur in river flow and water quality as a result of short duration, severe intensity storms and typhoons in Taiwan. Sudden changes in river flow caused by impending extreme events may impose serious degradation on river water quality and fateful impacts on ecosystems. Water quality is measured in a monthly/quarterly scale, and therefore an estimation of water quality in a daily scale would be of good help for timely river pollution management. This study proposes a systematic analysis scheme (SAS) to assess the spatio-temporal interrelation of water quality in an urban river and construct water quality estimation models using two static and one dynamic artificial neural networks (ANNs) coupled with the Gamma test (GT) based on water quality, hydrological and economic data. The Dahan River basin in Taiwan is the study area. Ammonia nitrogen (NH3–N) is considered as the representative parameter, a correlative indicator in judging the contamination level over the study. Key factors the most closely related to the representative parameter (NH3–N) are extracted by the Gamma test for modeling NH3–N concentration, and as a result, four hydrological factors (discharge, days w/o discharge, water temperature and rainfall) are identified as model inputs. The modeling results demonstrate that the nonlinear autoregressive with exogenous input (NARX) network furnished with recurrent connections can accurately estimate NH3–N concentration with a very high coefficient of efficiency value (0.926) and a low RMSE value (0.386 mg/l). Besides, the NARX network can suitably catch peak values that mainly occur in dry periods (September–April in the study area), which is particularly important to water pollution treatment. The proposed SAS suggests a promising approach to reliably modeling the spatio-temporal NH3–N concentration based solely on hydrological data, without using water quality sampling data. It is worth noticing that such estimation can be made in a much shorter time interval of interest (span from a monthly scale to a daily scale) because hydrological data are long-term collected in a daily scale. The proposed SAS favorably makes NH3–N concentration estimation much easier (with only hydrological field sampling) and more efficient (in shorter time intervals), which can substantially help river managers interpret and estimate water quality responses to natural and/or manmade pollution in a more effective and timely way for river pollution management.
(Journal of Environmental Management. vol. 151, n° 0301-4797, pp. 87-96, 01/03/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Influences of major flood sediment inputs on sedimentary and geochemical signals archived in a reservoir core (Upper Loire Basin, France)
(CATENA. vol. 126, n° 0341-8162, pp. 75 - 85, 01/03/2015)
GéHCO, UT, NEOLAiA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, GEDI, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA
Differential effects of contrasting phenotypes of a foundation legume shrub drive plant-plant interactions in a Mediterranean mountain
QuestionsAre variable effects of different phenotypes of foundation plant species on subordinates across contrasting habitat conditions (with varying stress and disturbance levels) due to either varying environmental conditions or heritable differences in traits between phenotypes? To evaluate the contribution of environmental effects we quantified the effects of contrasting phenotypes of a foundation legume shrub on their subordinate species across exposure (drought stress) and grazing conditions. LocationA sub-alpine xerophytic community of western Mount Lebanon, Lebanon. MethodsFor two phenotypes of the spiny cushion shrub Onobrychis cornuta, a facilitative phenotype that occurs in concave topographies (mesic soil) and a competitive phenotype that occurs in convex topographies (xeric soil), we quantified cushion traits, environmental conditions and subordinate plant species abundances (within and outside the cushions) for the two phenotypes in northern (low stress) and southern (high stress) exposures, and with and without grazing. Relative interaction index (RII) for subordinate species richness and abundance was calculated in the eight treatment combinations and a correspondence analysis (CA) was conducted on species composition. ResultsDrought stress exacerbated phenotypic effects in southern exposure, with loose phenotypes being more facilitative and tight phenotypes more competitive than in northern exposure. This was related to both changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to an increase in the pool of subordinate species sensitive to cushion effects. In contrast, grazing increased cushion positive effects of both phenotypes through the occurrence of indirect facilitation, with loose phenotypes becoming more facilitative and tight phenotypes less competitive. This was due both to changes in cushion traits of the two phenotypes and to their shared spiny phenotype limiting grazing effects. ConclusionsBecause increasing stress from northern to southern exposure did not increase competitive effects of either phenotype, and because the cessation of grazing did not cancel out differences in facilitative effects between phenotypes, neither drought stress nor grazing disturbance appeared to be the main drivers of the observed phenotypic effects on subordinate species across habitats. We conclude that differences in phenotypic effects of this legume shrub are very likely due to heritable differences in traits between phenotypes.
(Journal of Vegetation Science. vol. 26, n° 1100-9233, pp. 373--384, 01/03/2015)
BioGeCo, INRA, UB, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IMBE, AU, AMU, CNRS, AMU, IRD, AU
Forecasted coral reef decline in marine biodiversity hotspots under climate change
Coral bleaching events threaten coral reef habitats globally and cause severe declines of local biodiversity and productivity. Related to high sea surface temperatures (SST), bleaching events are expected to increase as a consequence of future global warming. However, response to climate change is still uncertain as future low-latitude climatic conditions have no present-day analogue. Sea surface temperatures during the Eocene epoch were warmer than forecasted changes for the coming century, and distributions of corals during the Eocene may help to inform models forecasting the future of coral reefs. We coupled contemporary and Eocene coral occurrences with information on their respective climatic conditions to model the thermal niche of coral reefs and its potential response to projected climate change. We found that under the RCP8.5 climate change scenario, the global suitability for coral reefs may increase up to 16% by 2100, mostly due to improved suitability of higher latitudes. In contrast, in its current range, coral reef suitability may decrease up to 46% by 2100. Reduction in thermal suitability will be most severe in biodiversity hotspots, especially in the Indo-Australian Archipelago. Our results suggest that many contemporary hotspots for coral reefs, including those that have been refugia in the past, spatially mismatch with future suitable areas for coral reefs posing challenges to conservation actions under climate change.
(Global Change Biology, n° 1354-1013, pp. Epub ahead of print, 01/03/2015)
Ecosym, UM1, UM2, IFREMER, CNRS, CESAB, FRB, CRIOBE, UPVD, EPHE, PSL, CNRS, DMI, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LabEX CORAIL, IRD, EHESS, EPHE, PSL, IFREMER, UR, UPF, UNC, UA, ARC
Study of the present state and of recent temporal changes in the benthic macrofauna composition of Gulf of Lions soft-bottoms macrobenthic communities, NW Mediterranean
My main aims consisted in: (1) assessing the present state and recent (1998-2010)changes in benthic macrofauna composition of the Gulf of Lions soft-bottom communities through the long term comparison of 91 stations; (2) testing the current paradigm regarding the control of those communities by climatic parameters through a 10-year monitoring of 4 stations located in the Bay of Banyuls-sur-Mer; (3) assessing the influence of Rhône River inputs on the composition of benthic macrofauna through the sampling, of 5 stations , under 4 hydrological regimes; and (4) updating the ecological quality status of Gulf of Lions benthic habitats. My results have shown the persistence ofthe same 3 communities between 1998 and 2010, the strong influence of both the NAO and the Rhône River on benthic macrofauna composition in the whole Gulf. They also showed a control of benthic macrofauna by climatic oscillations with the WeMO contributing most especially during wintert ime. Moreover, the stations most impacted by Rhône River inputs were located close to its mouth. They are negatively affected during floods and positively affected during dry periods. Lastly, Ihave updated the sensitivity/tolerance levels of Mediterranean species and confirmed the existence of major discrepancies in the results derived from different biotic indices used, although all tested indices indicated an overall stability in the ecological quality status of benthic habitats between 1998 and 2010.
(26/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Développement d'échantillonneurs passifs de type POCIS pour l'évaluation de la contamination en pesticides des eaux de bassins versants languedociens
Malgré une sensible baisse des ventes depuis quelques années, la France reste le premier utilisateur européen de phytosanitaires. Ceci n’est pas sans conséquences sur l’environnement et les organismes non visés par ces produits. De nombreuses études ont permis d’une part de mieux comprendre les phénomènes de transfert des pesticides dans les compartiments eau-air sols et d’autre part de mettre en évidence leur contamination. Les données concernant l’eau sont plus nombreuses du fait de son statut de réceptacle ultime des pollutions.et des normes établies par les textes réglementaires. La Directive Cadre européenne sur l’Eau (DCE) adoptée en 2000 vise à atteindre le bon état chimique et écologique des eaux d’ici 2015 avec une obligation de résultats. Le bon état chimique dépend du respect des normes de qualité environnementales (NQE) établies notamment pour 24 pesticides. En 2012, 5% des points de mesure en cours d’eau et 19% des points de mesure en eaux souterraines ne respectent pas ces NQE.Le Languedoc Roussillon est depuis de nombreuses années la première région viticole de France et souffre d’une pression phytosanitaire importante. En 2014, un rapport de l’Agence Régionale de Santé (ARS) fait même état de l’utilisation encore récente de pesticides interdits (simazine, terbuthylazine…) depuis le début des années 2000. L’ARS a de plus affirmé que la plupart des cas de non-conformité avérés pouvaient être rattachés à la présence d’activité agricole dans le bassin versant du captage.Remédier à ces contaminations passe par le suivi de la qualité des eaux et la caractérisation de la pollution. Les outils actuels s’avèrent ne pas être toujours représentatifs de cette pollution ;de nouveaux outils sont donc mis au point. L’étude présentée ici porte sur l’utilisation de l’échantillonnage passif de type POCIS (Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler) pour le suivi de la contamination en pesticides de trois bassins versants languedociens : Paulhan,Puissalicon, Roujan.Dans un premier temps, l’étude des limites possibles du dispositif POCIS a été faite pour évaluer son applicabilité dans les conditions d’exposition imposées par le terrain. Le comportement des molécules au sein de l’outil a été étudié pour une meilleure compréhension des phénomènes de diffusion qui s’y produisent. Ces études ont mené à la mise en place de calibrations en laboratoire en conditions contrôlées. [...] La mise en place des dispositifs POCIS sur les trois sites d’études a mis en évidence la prédominance de pesticides utilisés en viticulture et a montré tout l’intérêt de l’outil d’un point de vue qualitatif. La comparaison de l’outil avec l’échantillonnage automatisé montre des disparités entre concentration réelle et concentration estimée via le POCIS. Ce dernier reste à améliorer d’un point de vue quantitatif pour obtenir un échantillonneur fiable et robuste pour ce type de milieu d’exposition.
(23/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Zebrafish genome instability after exposure to model genotoxicants
Sublethal exposure to environmental genotoxicants may impact genome integrity in affected organisms. It is therefore necessary to develop tools to measure the extent and longevity of genotoxicant-induced DNA damage, and choose appropriate model organisms for biomonitoring. To this end, markers of DNA damage were measured in zebrafish larvae and adults following exposure to model genotoxicants (benzo[a]pyrene and ethyl methanesulfonate). Specifically, we assessed primary DNA damage and the existence of potentially persistent genomic alterations through application of the comet assay, quantitative random amplified polymorphic DNA (qRAPD) and amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) assays. Furthermore, expression of genes involved in DNA repair, oxidative stress response and xenobiotic metabolism was evaluated as well. Additionally, the AFLP method was applied to adult specimens 1 year after larval exposure to the genotoxicants to evaluate the longevity of the observed DNA alterations. Large numbers of DNA alterations were detected in larval DNA using the comet assay, qRAPD and AFLP, demonstrating that zebrafish larvae are a sensitive model for revealing genotoxic effects. Furthermore, some of these genomic alterations persisted into adulthood, indicating the formation of stable genomic modifications. qRAPD and AFLP methods proved to be highly sensitive to genotoxic effects, even in cases when the comet assay indicated a lack of significant damage. These results thus support the use of zebrafish larvae as a sensitive model for monitoring the impact of genotoxic insult and give evidence of the longevity of genomic modifications induced by genotoxic agents.
(Ecotoxicology. vol. 24, n° 0963-9292, pp. 887-902, 22/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Tidal bore dynamics in funnel-shaped estuaries
The formation and dynamics of tidal bores in funnel-shaped estuaries is investigated from both a global tidal wave scaling analysis and new quantitative field observations. We show that tidal bore occurrence in convergent estuaries can be estimated from a dimensionless scaling parameter characterizing the relative intensity of nonlinear friction versus local inertia in the momentum equation. A detailed analysis of tidal bore formation and secondary wave structure is presented from a unique long-term database (observations of more than 200 tides) acquired during four campaigns in the two main French tidal-bore estuaries: the Seine and Gironde/Garonne estuaries. We describe the effect of freshwater discharge on the global tidal wave transformation at the estuarine scale and on local tidal bore occurrence in the upper estuary. Our field data suggest that the tidal bore intensity is mainly governed by the dimensionless tidal range, which characterizes the local tidal wave nonlinearity. We also show that the secondary wavefield associated with tidal bore propagating in natural estuaries differs significantly from those associated to undular bores in rectangular channels. In particular, we observe an abrupt decrease of the whelp steepness when the Froude number goes below 1.1. This secondary field transition can explain why tidal bore occurrence in worldwide estuaries is certainly underestimated.
(Journal of Geophysical Research. Oceans. vol. 120, n° 2169-9275, pp. 923-941, 17/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Present-day sedimentation rates on the southern and southeastern Australian continental margins
The Australian continental margin presents highly contrasted settings depending on (1) the presence or absence of a fluvial sediment supply, (2) the distance from the Australian mainland, and (3) the local hydrological setting. Despite the importance in surface area of the continental margin around the Australian mainland, so far only a few studies have dealt with sedimentation, most of them focusing on the northeastern Australian Shelf. This work presents the first large-scale investigation of modern sedimentation along the southern margin of Australia in the SE Indian Ocean, and the western margin of the Tasman Sea. Sedimentation intensity was assessed on a century timescale using a multi-tracer approach (234Th, 210Pb, 232Th) on interface cores around the 1000 m water depth contour. 234Th (half-life: 24.1 days) in excess was detected in all surface samples, testifying to the occurrence of freshly deposited particles. Sedimentation and mass accumulation rates based on sedimentary 210Pb excess profiles (CF:CS model) range between 0.027 and 0.280 cm y–1 and between 14 and 222 mg cm–2 y–1, respectively. Whereas sedimentation rates are low and associated with carbonates on the western margin, sediments are more influenced by the detrital fraction and organic carbon on the eastern side of the continent. In comparison with northern continental margins (e.g. Timor Sea, Gulf of Papua), the southern Australian margin receives little sediment today, as it is rarely linked to a river system that would otherwise deliver large amounts of sediment, and also because of the presence of the extended shelf south of Australia.
(Australian Journal of Earth Sciences. vol. 62, n° 0812-0099, pp. 143-150, 17/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Review: Bucephalus minimus, a deleterious trematode parasite of cockles Cerastoderma spp
Trematodes are the most prevalent and abundant macroparasites in coastal waters. They display a complex life cycle with alternation of free-living and parasitic stages generally involving three host species. The most deleterious stage is in the first intermediate host (a mollusc) where the parasite penetrates as miracidium larvae and asexually multiplicates in sporocysts/rediae to provide cercariae larvae. However, due to basic low prevalence in ecosystems, this system remains difficult to study. Taking the example of the cockle (Cerastoderma edule), an exploited bivalve along North-Eastern Atlantic coasts, and Bucephalus minimus, its most prevalent parasite as first intermediate host, we summarised the 51 most relevant papers (1887-2015). Besides, a 16-year monthly monitoring was performed at Banc d'Arguin (Atlantic coast of France), and allowed to obtain a sufficient number of infected cockles (276 out of 5,420 individuals) in order to provide new information concerning this parasite/host system. Sporocysts (diameter 80-500 μm) and developing cercariae (length 300-500 μm) are not visible before cockle reaches 16-mm shell length and then prevalence increases with host size. Seasonality of infection was not observed but variation of prevalence was significant among years and negatively correlated to the temperature of the former year, which could correspond to the period of infection by miracidium. Seven other species of trematode were identified in cockles as second intermediate host. For six of them, metacercariae abundance per individual was 2 to 12 folds higher in B. minimus-infected cockles, exacerbating the potential negative impact on host. From the parasite point of view, metacercariae can be considered as hitchhikers, taking advantage of the abnormal migration of B. minimus-infected cockles to the sediment surface where they become more vulnerable to predators that are also the final hosts of many of these parasites.
(Parasitology Research. vol. 114, n° 0932-0113, pp. 1263-1278, 15/02/2015)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS