Influence of the mode of macrofauna-mediated bioturbation on the vertical distribution of living benthic foraminifera : first insight from axial tomodensitometry
We investigated the influence of bioturbation by macrofauna on the vertical distribution of living (stained) benthic foraminifera in marine intertidal sediments. We investigated the links between macrofaunal bioturbation and foraminiferal distribution, by sampling from stations situated on a gradient of perturbation by oyster-farming, which has a major effect on benthic faunal assemblages. Sediment cores were collected on the French Atlantic coast, from three intertidal stations: an oyster farm, an area without oysters but affected by oyster biodeposits, and a control station. Axial tomodensitometry (CT-scan) was used for threedimensional visualization and two-dimensional analysis of the cores. Biogenic structure volumes were quantified and compared between cores. We collected the macrofauna, living foraminifera, shells and gravel from the cores after scanning, to validate image analysis. We did not investigate differences in the biogenic structure volume between cores. However, biogenic structure volume is not necessarily proportional to the extent of bioturbation in a core, given that many biodiffusive activities cannot be detected on CT-scans. Biodiffusors and larger gallery-diffusors were abundant in macrofaunal assemblage at the control station. By contrast, macrofaunal assemblages consisted principally of downward-conveyors at the two stations affected by oyster farming. At the control station, the vertical distribution of biogenic structures mainly built by the biodiffusor Scorbicularia plana and the large gallery-diffusor Hediste diversicolor was significantly correlated with the vertical profiles of living foraminifera in the sediment, whereas vertical distributions of foraminifera and downward-conveyors were not correlated at the station affected by oyster farming. This relationship was probably responsible for the collection of foraminifera in deep sediment layers (N6 cm below the sediment surface) at the control station. As previously suggested for other species, oxygen diffusion may occur via the burrows built by S. plana and H. diversicolor, potentially increasing oxygen penetration and providing a favorable microhabitat for foraminifera in terms of oxygen levels. By contrast, the absence of living foraminifera below 6 cm at the stations affected by oyster farming was probably associated with a lack of biodiffusor and large gallery-diffusor bioturbation. Our findings suggest that the effect of macrofaunal bioturbation on the vertical distribution of foraminiferal assemblages in sediments depends on the effects of the macrofauna on bioirrigation and sediment oxidation, as deduced by Eh values, rather than on the biogenic structure volume produced by macrofauna. The loss of bioturbator functional diversity due to oyster farming may thus indirectly affect infaunal communities by suppressing favorable microhabitats produced by bioturbation.
(Journal of Experimental Marine Biology and Ecology. vol. 371, n° 0022-0981, pp. 20-33, 27/10/2026)
CRELA, IFREMER, ULR, CNRS, BIAF, UA, LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, IRD [Nouvelle-Calédonie], EHF, UCBL, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UN
High frequency sea level fluctuations recorded in the Black Sea since the LGM
This paper presents a 3D geometric interpretation of very high resolution seismic Chirp profiles acquired on the Romanian shelf during ASSEMBLAGE European Project. The results provide a solid record of the Black Sea Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) water level fluctuations. This pseudo-3D seismic interpretation shows that the Black Sea lacustrine shelf deposits form a significant basinward-prograding wedge system. On top of these prograding sequences is a set of sand dunes that delineates a wave cut-terrace like feature around the isobath − 100 m. Landward of this dune field are small depressions containing barkhan-like bodies. The upper part of the last prograding sequence is incised by anastomosed channels which end in the Danube (Viteaz) canyon which are also built on the lacustrine prograding wedge. Ten stratigraphic units were distinguished and correlated with analyses of cores retrieved from this area. The results demonstrate that the first eight sequences represent lacustrine prograding wedges, the ninth sequence is the dune system itself and the tenth is a marine mud drape which covers the entire continental shelf. The lacustrine prograding wedges represent a lowstand deposit characterised by forced regression-like reflectors mapped from the pseudo-3D seismic data. Their hinge point corresponds to the wave erosion surface mapped around − 100 m isobath on the multibeam mosaic. Dated cores give age control on this lowstand period, which lasted from 11 to 8.5 kyr 14C BP as implied by: (1) the continuously dry climatic conditions in the region inferred by high percentages of herbs and steppe elements determined from ASSEMBLAGE cores and, (2) the formation of dunes between 10 and 8.5 kyr 14C BP on the desiccated north-western Black Sea shelf at − 100 m and (3) all of these covered by a marine mud drape confirming that the dune system is no longer active. The buried, anastomosed fluvial channels that suddenly disappear below 90 m depth, and a unique wave-cut terrace between 95 and 100 mbsl on the outer shelf are also consistent with a major lowstand base-level at around − 100 m water depth. Preservation of sand dunes and the occurrence of small, buried incised valleys mark a rapid transgression within less than a century during which ravinement processes related to the water level rise had no time to significantly erode the seafloor.
(Global and Planetary Change. vol. 66, n° 0921-8181, pp. 65-75, 27/10/2026)
IFREMER, UCD, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, PALEOCEAN, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA
IOP from reflectance measurements to obtain the Kd coefficient: application to the Gabon and Congo coastal waters
(. vol. 7459, pp. Vol. 7459, 74590A, doi:10.1117/12.828851, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, SHOM, CRC, UB, CNRS
Praeorbulina-like specimens" in sediments of the Northern Arabian Sea during the last glacial period
(27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LPGN, UN, CNRS, IFP
The BEHEMOTH cruise: a multidisciplinary ecological investigation of live foraminiferal communities in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean)
(27/10/2026)
LPGN, UN, CNRS, BIAF, UA, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, OCEANIS, LSCE, UVSQ, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, DRF (CEA), CEA, CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, HCL
Ovarian gene transcription and effect of cadmium pre-exposure during artificial sexual maturation of the European eel (Anguilla anguilla)
European eels are dangerously threatened with extinction. Recent advances tend to show that pollution could, in addition to other already identified factors, contribute to this drama. In a previous report, cadmium (Cd) pre-exposure was found to strongly stimulate the pituitary-liver-gonad axis of maturing female silver eels, leading, lastly, to oocytes atresia and eels mortality. The present work was performed to get more insights into the effects of Cd preexposure on eels' ovaries. The transcription levels of various genes involved in mitochondrial metabolism, in the cellular response to metal (metallothioneins, MTs) and oxidative stress (catalase, CAT) were investigated. Our results show that ovarian growth is associated with an up-regulation of mitochondrial genes. However, Cd pre-exposure was found to significantly impair this up-regulation. Such findings could explain, at least in part, why oocytes of Cd precontaminated eels could not reach final maturation. Concerning MTs, despite the end of the experiment was marked by a strong increase in their gene transcription levels in both eel groups, MTs protein content was found to increase only in the case of Cd pre-contaminated eels. Since this increase in MTs protein content was associated with a massive entry of Cd in gonads, our findings suggest that MTs mRNA, that are normally accumulated in oocytes to cope with the future needs, can be activated and translated in response to Cd exposure.
(BioMetals. vol. 22, n° 0966-0844, pp. 985-994, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, BOME, MNHN, UPMC, CNRS, UR EPBX, CEMAGREF
Dynamics of the turbidity maximum zone in a macrotidal estuary (the Gironde, France): Observations from field and MODIS satellite data
Over a 1-year period, field and satellite measurements of surface water turbidity were combined in order to study the dynamics of the turbidity maximum zone (TM) in a macrotidal estuary (the Gironde, France). Four fixed platforms equipped with turbidity sensors calibrated to give the suspended particulate matter (SPM) concentration provided continuous information in the upper estuary. Full resolution data recorded by the moderate resolution imaging spectroradiometer (MODIS) sensors onboard the Terra and Aqua satellite platforms provided information in the central and lower estuary twice a day (depending on cloud cover). Field data were used to validate a recently developed SPM quantification algorithm applied to the MODIS `surface reflectance' product. The algorithm is based on a relationship between the SPM concentration and a reflectance ratio of MODIS bands 2 (near-infrared) and 1 (red). Based on 62 and 75 match-ups identified in 2005 with MODIS Terra and Aqua data, the relative uncertainty of the algorithm applied to these sensors was found to be 22 and 18%, respectively. Field measurements showed the tidal variations of turbidity in the upper estuary, while monthly-averaged MODIS satellite data complemented by field data allowed observing the monthly movements of the TM in the whole estuary. The trapping of fine sediments occurred in the upper estuary during the period of low river flow. This resulted in the formation of a highly concentrated TM during a 4-month period. With increasing river flow, the TM moved rapidly to the central estuary. A part of the TM detached, moved progressively in the lower estuary and was finally either massively exported to the ocean during peak floods or temporary trapped (settled) on intertidal mudflats. The massive export to the ocean was apparently the result of combined favorable environmental conditions: presence of fluid mud near the mouth, high river flow, high tides and limited wind speeds. The mean SPM concentration within surface waters of the whole estuary showed strong seasonal variations but remained almost unchanged on a 1-year-basis. These observations suggest that the masses of suspended sediments exported toward the ocean and supplied by the rivers were almost equivalent during the year investigated (2005). Results show the usefulness of information extracted from combined field and current ocean color satellite data in order to monitor the transport of suspended particles in coastal and estuarine waters. (c) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
(Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science. vol. 81, n° 0272-7714, pp. 321-332, 27/10/2026)
LOV, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, IMEV, INSU - CNRS, SU, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LOV, OOVM, UPMC, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UPMC, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Spatial heterogeneity in the food web of a heavily modified Mediterranean coastal lagoon: stable isotope evidence
We investigated the food web structure of the Salses-Leucate Lagoon (northwestern Mediterranean) through delta C-13 and delta N-15 analysis of its benthic macrofauna and potential food sources. This lagoon was heavily human-modified during the 1970s, allowing permanent exchange with the open sea and an increase in salinity from that time. As a result, it exhibits a much less marked salinity gradient than the neighbouring lagoon ecosystems, which Suggests a priori that its food web structure is more homogeneous. In this environmental context, we assessed spatial variability in the isotopic composition of non-vagrant macrofauna in Salses-Leucate in relation to degree of connection with the open sea, anthropogenic inputs and the presence of oyster aquaculture. Overall, the main trophic pathway is based on suspended particulate organic matter and sedimented organic matter. However, there were marked spatial differences (at different scales) in both delta C-13 and delta N-15 values of macrofauna, which suggests an important feeding plasticity within each category of primary consumers at a small spatial scale. delta C-13 data showed that the contributions of the different food sources to the diet of primary consumers changed depending on distance from continental inputs, connection with the open sea and local primary producer coverage. Small-scale delta N-15 variability revealed a very localised influence of anthropogenic nitrogen output. Regarding the possible effect of aquaculture, the isotopic ratios of sediment and macrobenthos were not modified underneath the oyster lines with respect to the neighbouring area. Conversely, the isotopic signature of consumers living on the oyster lines contrasted with those living underneath. Therefore, our results suggest that a decoupling exists between the trophic pathways that occur in the water column and on the soft bottom of this shallow water ecosystem.
(Aquatic Biology. vol. 5, n° 1864-7782, pp. 167-179, 27/10/2026)
LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS, LOBB, OOB, UPMC, CNRS, UPMC, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, EFEB, AD2M, SBR, UPMC, CNRS, UPMC, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Evidence for obliquity forcing of glacial Termination II
Variations in the intensity of high-latitude Northern Hemisphere summer insolation, driven largely by precession of the equinoxes, are widely thought to control the timing of Late Pleistocene glacial terminations. However, recently it has been suggested that changes in Earth's obliquity may be a more important mechanism. We present a new speleothem-based North Atlantic marine chronology that shows that the penultimate glacial termination (Termination II) commenced 141,000 T 2500 years before the present, too early to be explained by Northern Hemisphere summer insolation but consistent with changes in Earth's obliquity. Our record reveals that Terminations I and II are separated by three obliquity cycles and that they started at near-identical obliquity phases.
(Science, n° 0036-8075, pp. 1527-1531, 27/10/2026)
SUERC, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, PACEA, UB, CNRS, AWI
Des biofilms témoins et acteurs du fonctionnement de la rivière
Des biofilms phototrophes complexes (multi espèces) se développent dans certains tronçons de rivière. Ils participent au fonctionnement de la rivière et peuvent être utilisés comme bioindicateurs pour la gestion des cours d'eau.
(pp. 3, 27/10/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CNRS, UR REBX, CEMAGREF