Abrupt climate changes of the last deglaciation detected in a Western Mediterranean forest record
Abrupt changes in Western Mediterranean climate during the last deglaciation (20 to 6 cal ka BP) are detected in marine core MD95-2043 (Alboran Sea) through the investigation of high-resolution pollen data and pollen-based climate reconstructions by the modern analogue technique (MAT) for annual precipitation (Pann) and mean temperatures of the coldest and warmest months (MTCO and MTWA). Changes in temperate Mediterranean forest development and composition and MAT reconstructions indicate major climatic shifts with parallel temperature and precipitation changes at the onsets of Heinrich stadial 1 (equivalent to the Oldest Dryas), the Bölling-Allerød (BA), and the Younger Dryas (YD). Multi-centennial-scale oscillations in forest development occurred throughout the BA, YD, and early Holocene. Shifts in vegetation composition and (Pann reconstructions indicate that forest declines occurred during dry, and generally cool, episodes centred at 14.0, 13.3, 12.9, 11.8, 10.7, 10.1, 9.2, 8.3 and 7.4 cal ka BP. The forest record also suggests multiple, low-amplitude Preboreal (PB) climate oscillations, and a marked increase in moisture availability for forest development at the end of the PB at 10.6 cal ka BP. Dry atmospheric conditions in the Western Mediterranean occurred in phase with Lateglacial events of high-latitude cooling including GI-1d (Older Dryas), GI-1b (Intra-Allerød Cold Period) and GS-1 (YD), and during Holocene events associated with high-latitude cooling, meltwater pulses and N. Atlantic ice-rafting. A possible climatic mechanism for the recurrence of dry intervals and an opposed regional precipitation pattern with respect to Western-central Europe relates to the dynamics of the westerlies and the prevalence of atmospheric blocking highs. Comparison of radiocarbon and ice-core ages for well-defined climatic transitions in the forest record suggests possible enhancement of marine reservoir ages in the Alboran Sea by 200 years (surface water age 600 years) during the Lateglacial.
(Climate of the Past. vol. 6, n° 1814-9324, pp. 245-264, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EPHE, PSL, LCE, CNRS, UMLP
How life history contributes to stress response in the Manila clam Ruditapes philippinarum
Introduction Within the last decade, numerous studies have investigated the role of environmental history on tolerance to stress of many organisms. This study aims to assess if Manila clams Ruditapes philippinarum may react differently to cadmium exposure and trematode parasite infection (Himasthla elongata) depending on their origin and environmental history in Arcachon Bay (France). Materials and methods Clams were exposed to Cd (15 µg L−1) and parasites (25 cercariae per clam), alone or in combination, at 15°C under controlled laboratory conditions for 7 days. Metal accumulation and success of parasite infestation were examined, also physiological parameters such as metallothionein response and hemocyte counts and activities (phagocytosis, oxidative burst, viability, and adhesion). Results and Discussion Sensitivity of Manila clams to both stressors differed from one site to another, suggesting local adaptation of populations. Clams from the more parasitized site presented better resistance to trematodes than the others in terms of first line defense, i.e., avoidance of infection. On the other hand, clams that adapted to chronic Cd contamination showed better detoxification mechanisms, both in a faster transfer of metal from gills to visceral mass and in a higher metallothionein baseline, than clams which had never experienced Cd contamination. Finally, hemocyte concentration and viability differed between clam origin site, highlighting the fact that populations living in different environments may adapt their physiological and biochemical responses to environmental stressors. Conclusion It is therefore important to be cautious when extrapolating results from field studies of one species and one site, if the life history of the organisms is not taken into account.
(Environmental Science and Pollution Research. vol. 17, n° 0944-1344, pp. 987-998, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS
Holocene Antarctic climate variability from ice and marine sediment cores: Insights on ocean–atmosphere interaction
Holocene climate variability in the southeast Atlantic sector of the Southern Ocean and Antarctic is assessed and quantified through integration of available marine sediment core and Antarctic ice core data. We use summer sea surface temperature (SSST) and sea ice presence (SIP) reconstructions from two marine sediment cores recovered north (50 S) and south (53.2 S) of the present day Antarctic Polar Front (APF), as well as an atmospheric temperature and sea ice proxy from the EPICA ice core from Dronning Maud Land (EDML). We find reasonably good agreement in the timing of climate evolution in the analyzed series. Almost all records show a gradual glacial-to-Holocene climate transition, interrupted by the Antarctic cold reversal around 13 000 cal yr BP, and early Holocene climatic optimum (HCO) at about 11 000 cal yr BP. During the early HCO, the seasonal ice cover retreats to south of 53 S; it then readvances in the course of the mid-to late Holocene. The maximum winter sea ice edge position during the recent 10 000 years varied mainly within 51-53 S, with sporadic growth to north of 50 S, a position similar to that during the last glacial. The onset of the Neoglacial period after ca 4000 yr BP is associated with a steepening of the SSST gradient between the marine core sites, strengthening of the westerlies and cooling in the inland ice sheet. The agreement in timing between elevated SSST during the early HCO and decreased deuterium excess in EDML and other ice cores from different locations in the East Antarctic suggests that the retreat of sea ice during the early HCO and weakening of the APF was a general feature of the East Antarctic climate during that time.
(Quaternary Science Reviews. vol. 29, n° 0277-3791, pp. 303-312, 27/10/2026)
UiT, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
THE EXTENSION OF ID11 FOR NANOSCALE AND HIERARCHICAL CHARACTERIZATION
Beamline ID11 at the ESRF has been recently upgraded by the complete redesign of the optics and by the extension of the beamline to 100 m in length. This has been coupled with the construction of a dedicated endstation for micro- and nano-focusing applications for diffraction and microscopy experiments in solid state chemistry, physics and materials science. Parallel detector schemes allow simultaneous characterization of samples over many length scales and throughout a multi-dimensional parameter space. We report the current ID11 scientific and technical status and the ongoing evolution.
(pp. 457-476, 27/10/2026)
ESRF, CEMHTI, UO, INC-CNRS, CNRS, LCND, LMA, AMU, ECM, CNRS, MATEIS, UCBL, INSA Lyon, INSA, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DTU
Impact of solid waste disposal on nutrient dynamics in a sandy catchment
Groundwaters impacted by mature landfill leachate are generally enriched in ammonium. In order to assess the dynamics of ammonium exchanges between leachates and the water system inside a sandy permeable catchment we measured ammonium, nitrate and chloride concentrations in the stream and in sediment pore waters of the streambed of a landfill impacted aquifer. Geophysical investigation methods complemented the biogeochemical survey. The studied zone is a 23 km² catchment located in a coastal lagoon area sensitive to eutrophication risk. Ammonium concentrations in the river were up to 800 µmol l−1 during low water period in summer. Three surveys of the river chemistry showed a regular increase in ammonium, nitrate and chloride concentrations along a 1 km section of the watercourse, downstream the landfill, implying that the leachate plume exfiltrates along this section. Sediment cores collected within this section showed all an increase in ammonium concentrations with depth in pore waters as a consequence of the landfill leachate dispersion, as attested by a simultaneous increase in chloride concentrations. Nitrate enrichment in the river water was due to nitrification of ammonium at the interface between groundwater and streamwater. The apparent nitrification rate obtained was within values reported for turbid estuaries, although the river contained very little suspended particulate matter. Actually, pore water chemistry suggests that nitrification occurred for the most part in subsurface permeable sediments, rather than in stream water. The overall topographic, hydrological, geochemical, and geoelectrical data set permit to estimate the extension of the chloride and ammonium plume. The estimation of the apparent ammonium plume velocity is 23 m year−1 whereas the chloride plume velocity should be 50 m year−1. The river is the outlet of the impacted groundwaters. Considering that the input of ammonium from the landfill is balanced by the present day output via the river, the residence time of ammonium in the aquifer is between 7 and 18 years.
(Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. vol. 116, n° 0169-7722, pp. 1-15, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, Ghymac, UB, EGID
Behavioral responses of Crassostrea gigas exposed to the harmful algae Alexandrium minutum
We describe the valve-activity behavior of oysters, Crassostrea gigas, exposed experimentally to the harmful alga Alexandrium minutum (≈ 3500 cell ml− 1) for 7-day periods under laboratory conditions. Our aim was to assess behavioral responses of oyster species during a mimicked bloom exposure. We determined different characteristic parameters of valve activity, such as daily valve opening duration, daily number of micro-closures, and valve-opening amplitude using a High Frequency-Non Invasive valvometer. In comparison with oysters exposed to non-toxic algae, T-Isochrysis or Heterocapsa triquetra, the valve activity of C. gigas is measurably different when exposed to toxic algae A. minutum. Surprisingly, daily valve-opening duration increased, as well as micro-closure activity, while valve-opening amplitude decreased. The response to A. minutum is fast, within 1 h after algae exposure. Following A. minutum exposure, recovery to control patterns was observed within 4-5 days. The behavioral alterations upon exposure to A. minutum can be thus used as a complementary physiological variable to other well-established physiological and biochemical measurements.
(Aquaculture. vol. 298, n° 0044-8486, pp. 338-345, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS
Flux dynamics of planktic foraminifers at a hemipelagic site of the inner Bay of Biscay (Northeast Atlantic margin)
(27/10/2026)
LPGN, UN, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LPO, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS
Temporal variability of carbon recycling in coastal sediments influenced by rivers: assessing the impact of flood inputs in the Rhône River prodelta
River deltas are particularly important in the marine carbon cycle as they represent the transition between terrestrial and marine carbon: linked to major burial zones, they are reprocessing zones where large carbon fluxes can be min-eralized. In order to estimate this mineralization, sediment oxygen uptake rates were measured in continental shelf sediments and river prodelta over different seasons near the outlet of the Rhône River in the Mediterranean Sea. On a selected set of 10 stations in the river prodelta and nearby continental shelf, in situ diffusive oxygen uptake (DOU) and laboratory total oxygen uptake (TOU) measurements were performed in early spring and summer 2007 and late spring and winter 2008. In and ex situ DOU did not show any significant differences except for shallowest organic rich stations. Sediment DOU rates show highest values concentrated close to the river mouth (approx. 20 mmol O 2 m −2 d −1) and decrease offshore to values around 4.5 mmol O 2 m −2 d −1 with lowest gradients in a south west direction linked to the preferential transport of the finest riverine material. Core incubation TOU showed the same spatial pattern with an averaged TOU/DOU ratio of 1.2±0.4. Temporal variations of sediment DOU over different sampling periods, spring summer and late fall, were limited and benthic mineralization rates presented a stable spatial pattern. A flood of the Rhône River occurred in June 2008 and delivered up to 30 cm of new soft muddy deposit. Immediately after this flood, sediment DOU rates close to the river mouth dropped from around 15-20 mmol O 2 m −2 d −1 to values close to 10 mmol O 2 m −2 d −1 , in response to the deposi-tion near the river outlet of low reactivity organic matter associated to fine material. Six months later, the oxygen distribution had relaxed back to its initial stage: the initial spatial distribution was found again underlining the active microbial degradation rates involved and the role of further deposits. These results highlight the immediate response of the sediment oxygen system to flood deposit and the rapid relaxation of this system towards its initial state (6 months or less) potentially linked to further deposits of reactive material.
(Biogeosciences. vol. 7, n° 1726-4170, pp. 1187-1205, 27/10/2026)
LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, OCEANIS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, LEP, EEP, IFREMER, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, IPGP - UMR_7154, INSU - CNRS, IGN, UR, IPG Paris, CNRS, UPCité, CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LECOB, SU, CNRS, OOB, SU, CNRS
Fish under influence: a macroecological analysis of relations between fish species richness and environmental gradients among European tidal estuaries
Estuarine fish assemblages are subject to a great environmental variability that largely depends on both upstream fluvial and downstream marine influences. From this ecohydrological view, our study introduces a macroecological approach aiming to identify the main environmental factors that structure fish assemblages among European tidal estuaries. The present paper focuses on the influence of large scale environmental gradients on estuarine fish species richness. The environment of 135 North-eastern Atlantic estuaries from Portugal to Scotland was characterized by various descriptors especially related to hydromorphology. Major environmental trends among estuaries were underlined using multivariate techniques and cluster analyses applied to abiotic data. In particular, an integrative system size covariate was derived from a principal component analysis. Factors explaining patterns of species richness at different scales from local habitat to regional features were highlighted. Based on generalised linear models, the estuarine system size, and more particularly the entrance width, and also the continental shelf width were identified as the best explanatory variables of estuarine fish species richness at a large scale. Our approach provides a standardized method to estimate the relationship between fish assemblages and environmental factors. This constitutes a first step in assessing estuarine ecological status and studying the effects of additional factors such as anthropogenic disturbances.
(Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. vol. 86, n° 0272-7714, pp. p. 137 - p. 147, 27/10/2026)
UR EPBX, CEMAGREF, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ESE, INRA, ULISBOA
The European carbon balance. Part 3: forests
(Global Change Biology. vol. 16, n° 1354-1013, pp. 1429-1450, 27/10/2026)
LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, ICOS-ATC, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, MPIB, UNITUS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EPHYSE, INRA, CNR, UNIBO, EFI, TKK, VU, ICOS-RAMCES, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, MOSAIC, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA