Multi-criteria assessment of advanced tertiary treatments for micropollutants removal
This paper presents the removal of 64 micropollutants from wastewater by 5 tertiary treatment processes: adsorption on activated carbon, ozone, ozone/H2O2, ozone/UV and UV/H2O2. Several validated analytical methods were used and reached very low limits of quantification (ng/L) and limited uncertainties. The tertiary treatments studied in the conditions applied were found efficient for the removal of most of the compounds analyzed in this study, except metals. Activated carbon and ozone allowed the removal over 70% of 2/3 of the organic micropollutants quantified. The addition of hydrogen peroxide to ozone increased the number of substances well removed (Rw>70%), but it did not improve the removal of substances that readily react with ozone. The other AOP (ozone/H2O2 and UV/H2O2) did not improve the number of substances well removed in comparison with ozone alone. The 5 technologies studied were sized at full scale in order to evaluate their investment and operation costs for two sizes of WWTP. According to this study, the implementation of a tertiary treatment on a 60 000 or a 200 000 PE WWTP would increase the water treatment cost by 2 to 20 euros cents per cubic meter treated according to the technology, the list of analyzed compounds and the removal objective.
(pp. 4, 22/04/2026)
IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UR MALY, IRSTEA
Impact du métolachlore sur la physiologie et le comportement de la diatomée dulçaquicole Gomphonema gracile
Les micro-algues jouent un rôle fondamental dans les écosystèmes aquatiques : elles sont à la base des réseaux trophiques et ce en raison de leur statut de producteurs primaires. Au sein des milieux aquatiques, elles peuvent ainsi être directement impactées par des molécules de type herbicide provenant des écosystèmes terrestres et retrouvées dans le milieu par des phénomènes de ruissellement, drainage, infiltration et lessivage des sols. Cependant, les descripteurs actuels (croissance, fluorescence chlorophyllienne) s’avèrent parfois peu sensibles pour détecter les impacts toxiques de molécules dont la cible n’est pas le photosystème. Dans ce contexte, cette étude a pour but de quantifier l’impact de l’herbicide métolachlore (inhibiteur des élongases) sur une espèce de diatomée dulçaquicole Gomphonema gracile Ehrenberg, mise en culture et isolée du milieu d’étude, la Leyre (principal tributaire du bassin d’Arcachon). Cet herbicide est le contaminant majoritaire du bassin versant (en termes de fréquence de quantification et de concentration). Sa toxicité est évaluée sur des paramètres physiologiques (croissance, photosynthèse, concentration en ATP) et comportementaux (mobilité). Alors que les descripteurs classiques (par exemple l’activité photosynthétique) ne permettent pas de mettre en évidence d’impact toxique du métolachlore, et ce quelle que soit la concentration testée, les descripteurs de mobilité (pourcentage de cellules mobiles, vitesse de déplacement) démontrent des impacts toxiques, pour des concentrations environnementales. Nos résultats soulignent l’importance de l’utilisation de descripteurs d’effet diversifiés, et démontrent le potentiel prometteur d’indicateurs comportementaux pour la mise en évidence de contaminations toxiques.
(22/04/2026)
UR EABX, IRSTEA, IFREMER, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Optimization of the polar organic chemical integrative sampler for the sampling of acidic and polar herbicides
This paper presents an optimization of the pharmaceutical Polar Organic Chemical Integrative Sampler (POCIS- 200) under controlled laboratory conditions for the sampling of acidic (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), acetochlor ethanesulfonic acid (ESA), acetochlor oxanilic acid, bentazon, dicamba, mesotrione, and metsulfuron) and polar (atrazine, diuron, and desisopropylatrazine) herbicides in water. Indeed, the conventional configuration of the POCIS-200 (46 cm2 exposure window, 200 mg of Oasis® hydrophilic lipophilic balance (HLB) receiving phase) is not appropriate for the sampling of very polar and acidic compounds because they rapidly reach a thermodynamic equilibrium with the Oasis HLB receiving phase.
(Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry. vol. 406, n° 1618-2642, pp. 3191-3199, 22/04/2026)
UR EABX, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, NIVA
Hypoxia tolerance of European sturgeon (Acipenser sturio L., 1758) young stages at two temperatures
European sturgeon sensitivity to oxygen depletion at two different temperatures was evaluated with embryos from fertilization to hatching time that were exposed to 90% O2 saturation (% O2 sat), 50% O2 sat and 30% O2 sat at 20 and 26°C; and three-month-old juveniles (12 cm length, 7.3 g width) exposed to oxygen challenge from 70% O2 sat to 10% O2 sat at 20 and 25°C. Parameters measured included embryonic survival rate (ESR) and hatch rate (HR); in juvéniles the opercular beat frequency (OBF), altered swimming behavior, loss of equilibrium (LOE), and death were recorded. ESR did not differ between oxygen saturation levels for a single temperature but decreased between 20 and 26°C from 60.7 to 21.4% mean survival, respectively. No hatching was observed in embryos exposed to oxygen depletion at 50 and 30% O2 sat, regardless of temperature. The HR was lower at 26°C (15.4% mean) than at 20°C (75.8%) at 90% O2 sat. In embryos, all three oxygen concentrations allowed embryonic survival at the tested temperatures but were insufficient for increased activity such as hatching except at 20°C and 90% O2 sat. In juveniles, OBF peaked at 40% O2 sat at 212 beats per minute at 25°C and at 40–30% O2 sat at 182–183 beats per minute at 20°C. For LOE and death no significant differences were observed with regard to oxygen saturation at 20 and 25°C. Altered swimming behavior appeared at a significantly higher oxygen saturation at 25°C (43.5%) compared to 20°C (34.5%). Anaerobic metabolism was initiated after the OBF peak, which would represent a PO2crit for European sturgeon juveniles under 30 and 40% at 20°C and 25°C, respectively. Temperature increase also adversely affected the threshold of altered swimming behavior, which could be considered as a behavioral indicator of metabolic stress. The probability that the sturgeon embryos are being exposed to harmful temperatures and hypoxic conditions remains a true threat in the Gironde catchment basin.
(Journal of Applied Ichthyology. vol. 30, n° 0175-8659, pp. 1195-1202, 22/04/2026)
UR EABX, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Calage et validation d’un modèle dynamique pour décrire l’élimination des micropolluants par le procédé boues activées (ARMISTIQ – Action C)
Les procédés biologiques d’épuration comme les boues activées en aération prolongée sont conçus pour éliminer les macropolluants (pollution carbonée et azotée, dissoute et particulaire). Ils éliminent aussi une grande part des micropolluants présents dans les eaux usées, mais pour certains l'élimination est très variable. L’action C du projet ARMISTIQ a élaboré un modèle dynamique décrivant l’élimination des micropolluants au sein du procédé boues activées et montre une optimisation possible de l’élimination pour certains micropolluants dans les installations d’épuration existantes. Les mécanismes de sorption et de biodégradation ont été spécifiquement étudiés. La démarche expérimentale reposait sur le suivi des performances d’une station de traitement des eaux usées (STEU) domestiques (2900 EH, réseau séparatif) et sur des expérimentations à l’échelle pilote. Cinq familles de substances aux propriétés physico-chimiques différentes ont été étudiées : 11 métaux, 14 médicaments, 19 hydrocarbures aromatiques polycycliques (HAP), 5 alkylphénols (AKP) et 4 pesticides. Le suivi sur une année des eaux usées brutes de la STEU montre que les concentrations en métaux, relativement stables, peuvent atteindre plusieurs centaines de µg/L, alors que les concentrations des micropolluants organiques, ont une variabilité plus importante et restent inférieures à 10 µg/L (sauf pour l’ibuprofène et le paracétamol). Trente-deux des 53 micropolluants recherchés sont éliminés de la file eau de la STEU à plus de 70 % ; l’élimination s’effectue uniquement par biodégradation pour 8 d’entre eux. Les rendements d’élimination sont relativement peu influencés par les conditions de fonctionnement de la STEU que nous avons étudié (température, concentration en matières en suspension, et durée de présence d’oxygène dans le bassin d’aération). Cependant, pour 7 micropolluants les rendements d’élimination augmentent avec les concentrations dans les eaux usées brutes (métoprolol, bisoprolol, propranolol, amitriptyline, diclofénac, acénaphtylène, nonylphénol di-éthoxylate). Les essais à l’échelle pilote ont été menés en conditions contrôlées utilisant des réacteurs fermés avec dopage de boues en micropolluants. Ces essais visaient à déterminer les coefficients de partition (notés Kd) et les constantes cinétiques de biodégradation (notées kbiol). Nous avons ainsi calculé des valeurs de Kd pour 22 micropolluants et des valeurs de kbiol pour 13 micropolluants. La biodégradation est réalisée en condition aérobie et par cométabolisme lors de la biodégradation de la pollution carboné et azotée simultanément. Un modèle dynamique, calé à partir des données obtenues aux deux échelles d’étude, est proposé. Ce modèle simule les concentrations en micropolluants dans les eaux usées traitées et les boues, et ce en fonction des concentrations de l’eau usée brute et des conditions de fonctionnement de la STEU (température, concentration en matières en suspension, durée de présence d’oxygène). Cet outil permet de prédire qu’une réduction supplémentaire des concentrations dans les eaux usées traitées est envisageable pour une douzaine de substances pharmaceutiques (acébutolol, amitriptyline, aténolol, bêtaxolol, bisoprolol, bromazépam, diclofénac, ibuprofène, métoprolol, paracétamol, propranolol, sulfaméthoxazole) principalement via l’augmentation de la concentration en boues, de la durée de présence d’oxygène ou de la température du bassin d’aération.
(pp. 69, 22/04/2026)
UR MALY, IRSTEA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
The Grand Popo experiment, Benin
The first large nearshore field experiment in the G ulf of Guinea was conducted at Grand Popo Beach, Be nin, in February 2013, on an open wave-dominated micro- to meso-tidal coast, located mid-way between Cotonou and Lome harbours. The overall project aims at understanding at multi-scale (from event to interannual) the causes of the dramatic erosion observed throughout the Bight of Benin, and caused by the interaction of a large littoral drift with human engineering works. Grand Popo 2013 experiment was designed to measure the processes over the short term and to test the ability of an installed video system to monitor the evolution of this stretch of coast over the longer term. The beach, characterized by a low-tide terrace and a high tide reflective part, experiences a long swell (Hs=1.6m, Tp=16 s, oblique incidence ~15-20°). Topographic surveys showed a double beach cusp system interaction and repeated surf-zone drifter runs revealed high flash and swash rip activity driven by wave dissipation over the terrace and energetic swash dynamics at the upper reflective beach. Swash was measured over a cusp system at two locations using video poles. Wave reanalyses (ERAInterim) were used to determine the wave climate and its variability, and to quantify sediment transport. This robust methodology is thought to be replicated elsewhere in different coastal environments in West Africa, in particular with the objective to monitor various sites within the framework of the new West African Coastal Observatory.
(Journal of Coastal Research. vol. SI 70, n° 0749-0208, pp. pp. 651-656, 22/04/2026)
ECOLA, LEGOS, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, UAC, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CEREGE, IRD, INRA, AMU, CdF (institution), INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IRD [France-Ouest], OLVAC, LEGOS, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS
Turbulence and sediment transport over sand dunes and ripples.
(22/04/2026)
M2C, UNICAEN, NU, INSU - CNRS, UNIROUEN, NU, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IFREMER
Tectonics of the Dalrymple Trough and uplift of the Murray Ridge (NW Indian Ocean)
The Dalrymple Trough is a 150-km-long, 30-km-wide basin located at the northern termination of the Owen Fracture Zone (OFZ), which is the present-day active India-Arabia plate boundary. The Dalrymple Trough is closely associated with the Murray Ridge, a complex of prominent bathymetric highs located on its eastern flank. Recent multibeam mapping of the connection between the Dalrymple Trough and the OFZ revealed a horsetail structure, which suggests a close relationship between geological histories of both structures. However, the 3-6 Ma age of initiation of the OFZ contrasts with the commonly accepted Early Miocene emplacement of the Dalrymple Trough. Recent seismic lines document a new tectonic history of the Dalrymple Trough, involving two major episodes of deformation along the India-Arabia plate boundary at ~ 8-10 Ma and ~ 1.9 ± 0.9 Ma. The 8-10 Ma episode is marked by a system of folds linked to the main uplift of the southern Murray Ridge and the first uplift of the northern Murray Ridge. This episode is related to a global plate reorganization event in the Late Miocene, well expressed by intraplate deformation in the Central Indian Ocean. The Dalrymple Trough opened at ~ 1.9 ± 0.9 Ma subsequently to the formation of a stepover at the India-Arabia plate boundary, coeval with the regional M-unconformity in the Oman abyssal plain, which marks a structural reorganization of the Makran accretionary wedge, and the last uplift of the northern Murray Ridge.
(Tectonophysics, n° 0040-1951, pp. 1-49, 22/04/2026)
LGENS, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ENS-PSL, PSL, iSTeP, UPMC, CNRS, GEC, I-MAT, UCP, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Impacts of Mayan land use on Laguna Tusp an watershed (Pet en, Guatemala) as seen through clay and ostracode analysis
Most of the cities built by the Mayas in the Pet en area, in the Central Yucat an Peninsula, were abandoned 1200 to 1000 years ago. The phenomenon is sometimes un-appropriately called " the collapse of the Maya civilization ". Its main causes are still debated, ranging from climatic according to the occurrence of severe or modest droughts, to societal in the form of environmental mismanagement of the environment. In both processes, it is inferred that stress triggered the formation in many Pet en lake sediments of erosional clay deposits, known as 'Maya clays'. This work presents a high resolution, multi-proxy study of 'Maya clays' in lacustrine sediments from Laguna Tusp an, near the archaeological site of La Joyanca. Micropaleontological (ostracodes), mineral-ogical (clay minerals) and geochemical (bulk elemental composition and stable isotopes in organic carbon) records reveal three different phases of soil erosion throughout the last 5300 years. The oldest phase from 5281 to 2998 cal yr BP (i.e. 3331 e 1048 BC) is characterized by successive natural and moderate soil erosion deposits which follow climatic variations recorded in the American tropical belt. The time interval between 2998 and 1281 cal yr BP (i.e. 1048 BC and AD 661) contains four distinct erosional layers which, according to clay mineralogy, are indicative of both increased erosion of the regolith and strong soil loss. The most recent, also the most massive, deposit of Maya clay ends around 1281 cal yr BP (AD 661), that is some 200 years before the so-called 'Maya collapse' in the Pet en area. Recent archeological fieldwork studies indicate that a population mobility took place into the city of La Joyanca from its hinterland by the early Late Classic Period (ca. AD 600), that is, at the end or just after this erosion episode, and well before the occurrence of the Terminal Classic-Postclassic (AD 800e1250) drastic climatic changes. Shifts in environmental management by the local society and timing of urbanization may explain environmental changes better than droughts per se.
(Journal of Archaelogical Science. vol. 49, pp. 372-382, 22/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, GEODE, UT2J, Comue de Toulouse, CNRS, LOG, INSU - CNRS, ULCO, CNRS, IRD [Ile-de-France]
Preface "The changing Arctic and Subarctic environment: proxy- and model-based reconstructions of Holocene climate variability in the northern North Atlantic
This special issue originates from the EU FP7-Marie Curie initiative "CASE" (The Changing Arctic and Subarctic Environment), an Initial Training Network (ITN) on marine biotic indicators of recent climate changes in the high latitudes of the North Atlantic (http://caseitn.epoc.u-bordeaux1.fr/). This four-year project (April 2010-March 2014) implemented multidisciplinary research initiatives aiming at assembling palaeoclimate data from the Holocene through recent field programmes in the Nordic Seas, and at integrating palaeoclimate information with modern biological and climate modelling data. Associated objectives were to recruit and train a new generation of European polar scientists with expertise on the Nordic Seas, and to develop a network of European experts in polar research to build structures focused on long-term collaboration in Arctic science. Together with the Arctic Ocean, the Nordic Seas and the Barents Sea have shown unprecedented changes in physical and chemical conditions in recent decades, which directly influence the ecosystem structure and processes. The extreme sensitivity of the northern North Atlantic to climate changes is related to the intricate connection, within this oceanic realm, of cryospheric (ice sheets and sea ice), atmospheric (winds related to strong gradients in sea-level pressures), and oceanic processes (through the opposing poleward flow of Atlantic water and southward flow of polar waters). The recent decline in seasonal sea ice extent is of particular concern as it modulates the reflection of incoming solar radiation, and influences the exchanges of heat and moisture between the surface ocean and the atmosphere. Moreover, sea ice also plays a central role in the efficiency of shelf (brines) and deep ocean convection processes, thus influencing the climate on a global scale. Decadal to millennial scale reconstructions of Holocene climate and environments from archives, such as marine sediment cores, and from palaeoclimate modelling hold keys to a better evaluation of the magnitude and implications of the ongoing warming with regard to the full range natural variability of the climate system. This special issue addresses some of the key questions raised by the CASE project and related to the present polar amplification of climate change: -Is the present global warming and its amplification in the Arctic and Subarctic domains a unique event on the scale of the Earth recent history (last 10 000 years)? -How do past decadal-to centennial-scale natural climate changes, as recorded in marine sediments and ice cores, stand in the context of the present human-induced modulation of climate? -How did Holocene variability in key physical elements affect the structure and diversity of the planktonic ecosystem in the Arctic and Subarctic domains?
(Climate of the Past. vol. 10, n° 1814-9324, pp. 589-590, 22/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UvA, LMD, INSU - CNRS, X, IP Paris, ENPC, SU, CNRS, ENS-PSL, PSL