Concurrent Asian monsoon strengthening and early modern human dispersal to East Asia during the last interglacial
The relationship between initial Homo sapiens dispersal from Africa to East Asia and the orbitally paced evolution of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM)—currently the largest monsoon system—remains underexplored due to lack of coordinated synthesis of both Asian paleoanthropological and paleoclimatic data. Here, we investigate orbital-scale ASM dynamics during the last 280 thousand years (kyr) and their likely influences on early H. sapiens dispersal to East Asia, through a unique integration of i) new centennial-resolution ASM records from the Chinese Loess Plateau, ii) model-based East Asian hydroclimatic reconstructions, iii) paleoanthropological data compilations, and iv) global H. sapiens habitat suitability simulations. Our combined proxy- and model-based reconstructions suggest that ASM precipitation responded to a combination of Northern Hemisphere ice volume, greenhouse gas, and regional summer insolation forcing, with cooccurring primary orbital cycles of ~100-kyr, 41-kyr, and ~20-kyr. Between ~125 and 70 kyr ago, summer monsoon rains and temperatures increased in vast areas across Asia. This episode coincides with the earliest H. sapiens fossil occurrence at multiple localities in East Asia. Following the transcontinental increase in simulated habitat suitability, we suggest that ASM strengthening together with Southeast African climate deterioration may have promoted the initial H. sapiens dispersal from their African homeland to remote East Asia during the last interglacial.
(Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. vol. 121, n° 0027-8424, pp. e2308994121, 10/04/2026)
IEE, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, CUG
Pseudopolydora kempi japonica Imajima & Hartman, 1964 (Polychaeta: Spionidae): a controversial subspecies long overlooked in European waters
Recently, using morphological and molecular analyses, several Pseudopolydora specimens (Polychaeta: Spionidae) from French coastal waters were identified as Pseudopolydora kempi ssp. japonica Imajima and Hartman, 1964. According to the samples examined, P. kempi ssp. japonica has been present in European waters since 2004. Previous misidentifications in France are likely due to its resemblance to the indigenous species Pseudopolydora pulchra (Carazzi, 1893), and to the status of P. kempi ssp. japonica which is still controversial. Material was collected from Arcachon Bay, Morbihan Bay, Aiguillon Bay, and in the Gironde estuary (Bay of Biscay, France). All these areas have extensive shellfish industries, especially the farming of the Japanese oyster Magallana gigas (Thunberg, 1793). The importation of these live oysters from Japan has often included other species including polychaete worms, indicating a major vector of exotic species.
(BioInvasions Records. vol. 32, n° 2242-1300, pp. 403-418, 10/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UMS POREA, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INRAE, LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS
Wave input reduction approach to compute the alongshore distribution of breaking wave conditions along the North Médoc coast
This study introduce an input reduction (IR) methodology that we developed specifically to enhance computational efficiency in nearshore wave modeling for the complex area of the Nord Médoc coast, adjacent to one of the margest estuary in Europe (Gironde). This methodology combines simulated annealing optimization with wave modeling. We apply it to an extensive 15-year offshore wave time series obtained from MARC's WavevatchIII-based simulaton and prediction system (LOPS). The IR effectiveness is assessed by comparinf the original and simplified offshore wave time series, simulated with the spectral wave model SWAN, at three nearshore locations in our study zone. Results indicate a strong agreement nearshore between the original and simplified offshore wave time series, with mean absolute errors ranging from 8 to 20 cm for the significant wave height, 0.7 to 1 s for peak wave period and 1.2 to 3.8° for wave direction. Using an optimal number of 30 clusters, the simulated annealing optimization affectively clusters wave data. Further validation of this IR-method involves analyzing its impact on long-term sediment transport using a reduced complexity shoreline model (LX-shore). This study lays the groundwork for the set-up of the reduced-complexity shoreline model to be applied in this intricate hydro-morphodynamic zone.
(pp. 121-130, 10/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, BRGM
Observations of Tide- and Wave-Driven Groundwater Dynamics in Meso-Tidal Sandy Beach
This study focuses on the non-hydrostatic groundwater dynamics of a meso-tidal sandy beach under the influence of tides and waves. A field campaign was conducted at Lacanau Beach, France, during four consecutive tide cycles in March 2022. Groundwater dynamics was monitored based on a network of buried pressure sensors. The data analysis revealed the combined influences of waves and tides on the groundwater circulation. Tidal-scale groundwater flows are predominantly seaward, primarily controlled by the head gradient resulting from a high coastal aquifer. A circulation cell develops under the swash zone and moves across the beachface following the tidal oscillations. On a daily scale per alongshore and vertical units, the observed flow is 2.5 m$^3$ .m$^{-2}$ .day$^{-1}$, i.e., 912.5 m$^3$.m$^{-2}$.year$^{-1}$. Extrapolating the present dataset, it may be expected that combined events, such as drought-induced aquifer depletion with high tides, could lead to beach-scale gradient reversal, potentially causing salinisation of the continental aquifer.
(Water. vol. 16, n° 2073-4441, 10/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, MIO, IRD, AMU, INSU - CNRS, UTLN, CNRS, SIAME, UPPA
A new species of Loimia (Annelida, Terebellidae) from Papua New Guinea, with comments on other species recorded in the region
We describe a new species of Loimia, from shallow waters off Northern Papua New Guinea and compare morphologically to other species recorded from the region and a key is provided. We provide a Maximum likelihood tree for species of Loimia for which we have data and it forms a distinct clade from other species. Finally, we discuss characters that we consider as useful specific characters in this large genus, which includes many poorly described species.
(Ocean and Coastal Research. vol. 72, n° 2675-2824, pp. e24003, 10/04/2026)
UMS POREA, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INRAE, SIO - UC San Diego, UC San Diego, UC, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Bivalve tissues as a recorder of multidecadal global anthropogenic and climate‐mediated change in coastal areas
Recent rapid changes in climate and environmental conditions have significantly impacted coastal ecosystem functioning. However, the complex interplay between global and local effects makes it challenging to pinpoint the primary drivers. In a multi‐ecosystem study, we analyzed pluri‐decadal trends of bivalve‐δ 13 C as recorder of global environmental changes. These trends were correlated with large‐scale natural and anthropogenic climate proxies to identify whether coastal biota responded to global effects. Our findings revealed decreasing bivalve‐δ 13 C trends in all sea regions, mainly linked with increased temperature and atmospheric‐CO 2 concentrations, the later generating a decrease in atmospheric‐CO 2 δ 13 C values (Suess effect) because of fossil‐fuel burning. After removing the Suess effect from bivalve‐δ 13 C trends, ongoing global climate variability continues to affect most ecosystems, possibly intensified by combined, interacting regional or local effects. These results highlight the need to consider large‐scale effects to fully understand ecosystem and food web responses to the multiple effects of global change.
(Limnology and Oceanography Letters, 10/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, FTMC, BOREA, UNICAEN, NU, MNHN, IRD, SU, CNRS, UA, CCEM, IFREMER, DYNECO, IFREMER
Toxicity evaluation of water-accommodated fraction of heavy and light oils on the rainbow trout fish cell line RTL-W1.
Fish are currently used models for the toxicity assessment of chemicals, including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Alternative methods including fish cell lines are currently used to provide fast and reliable results on the toxic properties of chemicals while respecting ethical concerns about animal testing. The Rainbow trout liver cell line RTLW1 was used to analyze the effects of two water-accommodated fractions from two crude oils: Arabian Light crude oil (LO) and refined oil from Erika (HO). Several toxicity endpoints were assessed in this study, including cytotoxicity, EROD activity, DNA damage (comet and micronucleus assays), and ROS production. RTL-W1 cells were exposed for 24 h at two or three dilutions of WAF at 1000 µg/L (0.1% (1 μg/L), 1% (10 μg/L), and 10% (100 μg/L)) for cytotoxicity and EROD activity and 1% and 10% for ROS production and genotoxicity). Exposure of RTL-W1 cells to LO WAF induced a significant increase of EROD activity and ROS production and altered DNA integrity as revealed by both the comet assay and the micronucleus test for 10 µg/L of LO. On the other hand, HO WAF exhibited limited toxic effects except for an EROD induction for 1% WAF dilution. These results confirmed the usefulness of RTL-W1 cells for in vitro toxicological assessment of chemical mixtures.
(Environmental Science and Pollution Research. vol. 31, n° 0944-1344, pp. 49715-49726, 10/04/2026)
VIMEP, ANSES, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, Cedre
Late Miocene onset of the modern Antarctic Circumpolar Current
The Antarctic Circumpolar Current plays a pivotal role in global climate through its strong influence on the global overturning circulation, ocean heat and CO 2 uptake. However, when and how the Antarctic Circumpolar Current reached its modern-like characteristics remains disputed. Here we present neodymium isotope and sortable silt records from sediment cores in the Southwest Pacific and South Indian oceans spanning the past 31 million years. Our data indicate that a circumpolar current like that of today did not exist before the late Miocene cooling. These findings suggest that the emergence of a homogeneous and deep-reaching strong Antarctic Circumpolar Current was not linked solely to the opening and deepening of Southern Ocean Gateways triggering continental-scale Antarctic Ice Sheet expansion during the Eocene-Oligocene Transition (∼34 Ma). Instead, we find that besides tectonic pre-conditioning, the expansion of the Antarctic Ice Sheet and sea ice since the middle Miocene Climate Transition (∼14 Ma) played a crucial role. This led to stronger density contrast and intensified Southern Westerly Winds across the Southern Ocean, establishing a vigorous deep-reaching circumpolar flow and an enhanced global overturning circulation, which amplified the late Cenozoic global cooling. The Antarctic Circumpolar Current (ACC), driven by the interplay among Southern Westerly Winds (SWW), buoyancy forcing and bathymetry 1 , is the largest ocean current on Earth. It actively regulates the transport of heat, moisture, carbon and nutrients between the Southern Ocean and the low-latitude regions, thus substantially influencing atmospheric CO 2 and global climate 1. To assess the future response of the ACC to ongoing climate warming and its impacts on Antarctic Ice Sheet dynamics, global circulation and climate 2 , it is critical to unravel
(Nature Geoscience. vol. 17, n° 1752-0894, pp. 165 - 170, 10/04/2026)
UB, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LEGOS, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, UTAS, NORCE, BCCR, BIO / UiB, UiB, GET, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS
Characterization of Multi-Decadal Beach Changes in Cartagena Bay (Valparaíso, Chile) from Satellite Imagery
Sandy coastlines are very dynamic spaces affected by a variety of natural and human factors. In Central Chile, changes in oceanographic and wave conditions, modes of inter-annual climate variability such as El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), and extreme events such as earthquakes and tsunamis condition the beach morphology. At the same time, direct human actions alter the arrival of sediments to the coast and their alongshore distribution. Despite the relevance of the beaches for this coastal region and the interesting relationship their morphology has with the aforementioned factors, there is a lack of robust morphological datasets to provide a deep characterization and understanding of the dynamism of the Chilean coast. Based on the information provided by satellite-derived shorelines (SDSs) defined by using the SHOREX algorithm, this paper characterizes the morphological changes of Playa Grande in Cartagena Bay (Central Chile) during the period 1985–2019. The shoreline position data are analyzed in the context of changing beach transforming elements, allowing for a better understanding of the changes according to multiple drivers. While some of these factors, such as earthquakes or coastal storms, have a punctual character, changes in wave patterns vary at different time scales, from seasonal to multi-annual, linked to climate phases such as ENSO. Its effects are translated into shoreline erosion and accretion conditioned by the morphology and orientation of the coast while influenced by the availability of sediment in the coastal system. According to that, a conceptual model of the dynamism and redistribution of sediment in the Bay of Cartagena is proposed. The work proves the high utility that the systematic analysis of multi-decadal SDS datasets obtained from the images acquired in the optical by the Landsat and Sentinel-2 offer for beach monitoring and understanding the coastal dynamism.
(Remote Sensing. vol. 16, n° 2072-4292, pp. 2360, 10/04/2026)
UPV, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, PUC
Quantifying particulate organic matter: source composition and fluxes at the river-estuary interface
Particulate organic matter (POM) characteristics and variability have been widely studied along the land-ocean aquatic continuum, yet, gaps remain in quantifying its source composition, fluxes, and dynamics at the river-estuary interface. POM in rivers consists of a complex mixture of sources, derived both from locally produced (i.e. phytoplankton) and from adjacent ecosystems (e.g. terrestrial POM). Each source differ in its trophic and biogeochemical characteristics, hence impacting its integration into local food webs, its transfer to estuaries and sea, and its contribution to biogeochemical processes. In this study, we use a robust approach based on in situ POM to characterize river POM end-members, to quantify POM composition and dynamics, and to identify the related key drivers. This study was performed at the River-Estuary interface of one of the main rivers in Western Europe (the Loire River, France). For 3 years, we conducted bimonthly measurements of carbon and nitrogen isotopic (δ 13 C, δ 15 N) and elemental (C/N) ratios to quantify the contribution of two sources (phytoplankton and terrestrial POM) to the POM mixture and calculated annual fluxes of particulate organic carbon (POC) and nitrogen (PN) sources. Throughout the year, POM consisted of ~65% phytoplankton and 35% terrestrial POM. The mean annual export fluxes were 40.6 tPOC/year and 2.45 tPN/year over the studied period, with half of it originating from phytoplankton (53 and 55% for POC and PN, respectively). We observed a clear seasonal pattern in POM composition: phytoplankton predominated from March to October, in relation to high primary production, while terrestrial contributions were the highest from November to February, driven by greater autumn-winter hydrodynamics. Our study illustrate the interest of such an approach to quantify POM composition in aquatic system and estimate source fluxes, and provide fundamental results for estimating seasonal baselines in food webs, establishing biogeochemical budgets, and quantifying POM exports to estuarine and marine environments. Applying this methodology across a broad spectrum of aquatic systems should enhance our understanding of biogeochemical processes and organic matter transformation along the land-ocean continuum and illustrates the contribution of these ecosystems to global biogeochemical cycles.
(Frontiers in Freshwater Science. vol. 2, n° 2813-7124, 10/04/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS