Clogging detection and productive layers identification along boreholes using Active Distributed Temperature Sensing
Fiber-Optic Active Distributed Temperature Sensing (FO-ADTS) experiments were performed on an Aquifer Thermal Energy Storage system (ATES) site located on the university campus of Bordeaux, France. The experiments consisted in heating the steel core of the FO cable while monitoring the rate of temperature increase during the heating periods. The changes in temperature, that were monitored through time at every depth under various hydraulic conditions and in different boreholes, were used to evaluate both aquifer properties and wells conditions. A first ADTS experiment was conducted under cross borehole configuration using a pumping well and a monitoring well separated by a distance of 8.5 meters. Then, to check the reciprocity of the results, a second experiment was conducted by switching the monitoring and the pumping well. The results obtained through the use of analytical solutions for reproducing and interpreting the data lead to the following conclusions: (i) ADTS can be used to estimate both thermal conductivity and Darcy velocity distribution along boreholes, crucial properties for ATES performance. (ii) The proposed method is a promising tool to detect clogging locations in the boreholes when it occurs. This can be of great practical interest to maintain systems performance, since, once FO cables deployed, experiments could be easily repeated without opening boreholes and stop the system operation.
(Journal of Hydrology. vol. 617, n° 0022-1694, pp. 129113, 19/06/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, GR, UR, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Natural remobilization and historical evolution of a modern coastal transgressive dunefield
The vast majority of coastal dunes in Europe have been stabilized by increasing vegetation cover since the mid‐20th century. However, some systems may experience a remobilization phase, generally occurring locally and further propagating alongshore, the drivers of which remain poorly documented. This study investigates the evolutionary paths (stabilization/destabilization/remobilization) from 1945 to 2020 of a 2 km‐long modern coastal transgressive dunefield located in southwest France with a holistic approach (GPR profiles, aerial photographs and LiDAR topographic data). Results show a landward migration of the transgressive dune by approximately 233 ± 7.5 m, through two distinct stages of rapid landward migration from 10 to 23 m/yr (Stage I: 1949–1959 and Stage III: 2000–2021) separated by an approximately 40‐year stage of slow to no migration, but with substantial windward slope deflation (Stage II). The onset of Stage II is due to the fixation of vegetation by human action between 1950 and 1959. The onset of Stage III is hypothesized to be driven by long and sustained upper backshore/dune toe erosion beginning in 1968 due to a massive shoal welding that locally disturbed the longshore drift. It induced a destabilization of the dune and erosion of the vegetation cover over some decades. A non‐synchronization is therefore observed between the start of the perturbation (1968), then the migration (2000), in line with the hysteresis concept of Tsoar (2005). This study shows that almost all of the sedimentary volume of the 1945 dune has been remobilized by translation to shape the dune system in its current form. The 2.2 km dunefield has grown by approximately 673 000 ± 190 000 m 3 during the 2005–2020 period. Among this volume, there is a new foredune that was built from 2005 between the upper beach and the transgressive dune (volume in 2020 of about 394 000 ± 68 000 m 3 ).
(Earth Surface Processes and Landforms. vol. 48, n° 0197-9337, pp. 1064 - 1083, 19/06/2026)
CEFREM, UPVD, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, BRGM, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, ONF
Blue mussels’ valve behavior exhibits daily and lunar rhythms during the high Arctic polar day
Marine species exhibit a multitude of biological rhythms, in accordance with their complex ecosystem governed by sun, earth and moon trajectories. Because of the inclination of the earth’s axis, the high Arctic ecosystem is characterized by several months of permanent illumination during the polar day. The persistence of biological rhythms in this photic context remains unclear. Yet, this information is crucial for the understanding of polar ecosystems functioning, as well as to predict the impact of future climate changes. Particularly, the impact of extreme photoperiods on recent invasive species remains largely unknown. Here, we investigate how environmental cycles shape the behavior of a re-emerging polar resident, the mussel Mytilus sp. during polar day (17 April to 26 August 2020; Svalbard, Ny-Ålesund, 78°56ʹ N, 11°56ʹ E). Our results show that in the high Arctic polar day, mussels’ behavior is shaped by both the photoperiod and the diel sun trajectories above the horizon. In addition, mussels also exhibit tidal, semi-lunar, and lunar rhythms of valve opening amplitude. We argue that these rhythms may have ecosystems functioning implications, and that the mussels’ ability to deal with drastic light regimes may explain their northward expansion and new resettlement in high Arctic.
(Marine Biology. vol. 170, n° 0025-3162, pp. 113, 19/06/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, NIVA
Physiological effects of PFAS exposure in seabird chicks: A multi-species study of thyroid hormone triiodothyronine, body condition and telomere length in South Western France
There is growing evidence that poly and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure leads to the disruption of thyroid hormones including thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3), and may affect telomeres, repetitive nucleotide sequences which protects chromosome ends. Many seabird species are long-lived top predators thus exhibit high contaminant levels, and PFAS-disrupting effects on physiology have been documented especially in relation to the endocrine system in adults. On the contrary, studies on the developmental period (i.e., chicks), during which exposure to environmental contaminants may have a greater impact on physiological traits, remain scarce to this date. We carried out a multi-species study with the aim to assess whether and to which extent chicks of four gull species (herring gull, great and lesser black-backed gull, yellow-legged gull) in South Western France are contaminated by PFAS, and to bring further evidence about their potential physiological consequences. Linear PFOS showed concentrations of concern as it was generally >10 times higher than the other PFAS, and exceeded a threshold toxicity level (calculated from previous studies in birds) in almost all sampled chicks. Nonetheless, in herring gull male chicks, total T3 levels were significantly and negatively associated with perfluorodecanoate (PFDA) and perfluorododecanoate (PFDoDA) and positively associated with perfluorotetradecanoate (PFTeDA) in female chicks. Total T3 levels were also positively associated with PFDoDA in great black backed gull male chicks and with perfluorotridecanoate (PFTrDA) in lesser black backed gull chicks. In lesser and great black-backed gulls, both females and males showed significant negative associations between several PFAS and their body condition, and a positive association between telomere length and L-PFOS in the yellow-legged gull. These results corroborate previous findings and need to be further explored as they suggest that PFAS may interfere with the physiological status of chicks during the developmental period, potentially inducing long-lasting consequences.
(Science of the Total Environment. vol. 901, n° 0048-9697, pp. 165920, 19/06/2026)
PhyMA, MNHN, CNRS, CEBC, ULR, CNRS, INRAE, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Sur quelques curiosités d'histoire naturelle dans les pertuis charentais : faune des invertébrés marins
Huit espèces redécouvertes, en expansion démographique ou nouvelles sont signalées dans les Pertuis Charentais. Elles sont issues d’habitats rocheux intertidaux (Alpheus macrocheles, Aslia lefevrei, Epitonium clathrulatum et Haliotis tuberculata), meubles intertidaux (Africorchestia spinifera et Arcuatula senhousia) et subtidaux (Aslia lefevrei et Rapana venosa) voire pélagiques (Lepas anatifera). Ces espèces sont, sauf exceptions, dans leur aire de répartition géographique naturelle. Natif de l’Asie du Nord-Est, le gastéropode R. venosa a été introduit depuis les années 2010 dans les pertuis et y connait actuellement une notable expansion démographique. L’île de Ré est définie comme la nouvelle limite nord de la distribution atlantique de l’amphipode Africorchestia spinifera. La phorésie de Crepidula fornicata sur Carcinus maenas est notée mais était déjà connue en Europe alors que pour R. venosa elle est nouvelle pour la science. Elle met en jeu une association incredibile dictu entre deux espèces déplacées hors de leurs aires natives par les activités maritimes et/ou aquacoles.
(Annales de la Société des Sciences naturelles de Charente-Maritime. vol. 11, n° 0373-9929, pp. 533-548, 19/06/2026)
LIENSs, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, LERAR, COAST, IFREMER, PatriNat, MNHN, IRD, CNRS, OFB - DSUED, OFB, LEMAR, IRD, IFREMER, UBO EPE, CNRS, LERPC, COAST, IFREMER, OBIOS
Quaternary sedimentary processes on the Bahamas: From platform to abyss
Understanding the interaction between sediment production on and export from shallow-water areas of platforms and slopes is primordial when assessing sedimentary processes on a carbonate-platform scale. In this manuscript we explore variations in facies, sediment export, sediment deposition and reorganisation, hydroacoustic- and small-scale sedimentary structures, but also assess the variability in current systems as observed during the Quaternary for the north-facing margin of Little Bahama Bank (LBB) and compare those characteristics with features observed on other slopes surrounding LBB and Great Bahama Bank (GBB). Over the past decade, the northern margin of LBB was explored during a series of oceanographic cruises of the CARAMBAR project, which included the collection of 24.270 km2 of bathymetry data, 6.398 km of very high-resolution seismic profiles, and 42 cores covering water depths ranging from 177 m to 4873 m. This study evaluates the results obtained from the analysis of sediment cores retrieved in the Great Abaco Canyon area (GAC), located between the lower northern LBB slope, which is connected to the abyssal plain. The analysis of the shallower parts of the LBB slope relies on earlier studies and are complementary to our data, and allow for a detailed analysis of the sedimentary processes acting along the entire LBB slope. The data reveal that Quaternary sediment distribution differs when moving from the north-eastern to the north-western LBB slope. The entire LBB slope is dissected by numerous canyons. Gravity processes enriched in coarse platform components occur infrequently and are concentrated within lobes in the east. Only coarse-grained rich bank facies can concentrate coarse grains on this margin. The western LBB slope is mostly influenced by fine-grained platform export and current circulation. The deeper GAC area is dominated by pelagic sediments that are supplied from the canyon sides and through tributaries. The sediment composition confirms that pelagic sediment production and current movements determine the sediment-deposition and redistribution processes at this site. The comparison with other Bahamian slopes demonstrates that a leeward position agrees with high sedimentation rates on the slopes resulting in specific morphologic structures, such as gullies and sediment waves, related to fine-grained sediment export, whereas platform-derived coarse-grained facies are deposited downstream in larger structures, such as canyons, that are not affected by the main wind direction. Slope angle could also have an impact on grain-size export, as it appears that coarse-grained deposits are frequent on steep slopes like those bordering the Exuma Sound basin.
(Marine Geology. vol. 459, n° 0025-3227, pp. 107044, 19/06/2026)
EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, VU, OSU PYTHEAS, IRD, AMU, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INRAE, UHH, LOG, INSU - CNRS, ULCO, CNRS, IRD [Ile-de-France], [Total Energies. Anciennement : Total, TotalFina, TotalFinaElf]
Drones souterrains, inspection et imagerie 3D : contraintes et potentialités d’un nouvel outil de documentation des grottes et du karst
Les drones ont connu, au cours des dernières années, une forte diversification de leurs usages. La réduction du poids des engins et la diminution des coûts concourent à ces développements. En grotte, l’usage des drones est limité par l’altération des capteurs d’assistance au télépilotage : GNSS, vision, capteurs d’évitement, centrale inertielle. Le télépilote doit alors conduire la mission avec le double objectif de maintenir l’intégrité de la machine, de la grotte et des personnels, tout en assurant une captation correcte des données. Un test de photogrammétrie 3D, conduit dans la grotte Sainte-Catherine (Ariège) montre un résultat satisfaisant et confirme l’intérêt des drones dans les constructions de modèles 3D en grotte. Les conditions du pilotage, les conditions d’acquisition des données et les potentialités futures sont discutées.
(Karstologia, n° 0751-7688, pp. 1-8, 19/06/2026)
EDYTEM, USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry], CNRS, Fédération OSUG, ISTerre, IRD, INSU - CNRS, USMB [Université de Savoie] [Université de Chambéry], CNRS, Fédération OSUG, UGA, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, UA, UM, IDEES, UNICAEN, NU, ULH, NU, UNIROUEN, NU, CNRS, IRIHS, UNIROUEN, NU
High contamination of a sentinel vertebrate species by azoles in vineyards: a study of common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in multiple habitats in western France
Azoles represent the most used family of organic fungicides worldwide and they are used in agriculture to circumvent the detrimental impact of fungi on yields. Although it is known that these triazoles can contaminate the air, the soil, and the water, field data are currently and dramatically lacking to assess if, and to what extent, the use of triazoles could contaminate non-target wild vertebrate species, notably in agroecosystems. In this study, we aimed to document for the first time the degree of blood contamination of a generalist wild bird species by multiple azoles which are used for plant protection and fungi pest control in various habitats. We deployed passive air samplers and captured 118 Common blackbirds (Turdus merula) in an agroecosystem (vineyard), a protected forest, and a city in western France. We collected blood and analyzed the plasma levels of 13 triazoles and 2 imidazoles. We found that a significant percentage of blackbirds living in vineyards have extremely high plasma levels of multiple azoles (means (pg.g⁻¹); tebuconazole: 149.23, difenoconazole: 44.27, fenbuconazole: 239.38, tetraconazole: 1194.16), while contamination was very limited in the blackbirds from the protected forest and absent in urban blackbirds. Interestingly, we also report that the contamination of blackbirds living in vineyard was especially high at the end of Spring and the beginning of Summer and this matches perfectly with the results from the passive air samplers (i.e., high levels of azoles in the air of vineyards during June and July). However, we did not find any correlation between the levels of plasma contamination by azoles and two simple integrative biomarkers of health (feather density and body condition) in this sentinel species. Future experimental studies are now needed to assess the potential sub-lethal effects of such levels of contamination on the physiology of non-target vertebrate species.
(Environmental Pollution. vol. 316, n° 0269-7491, pp. 120655, 19/06/2026)
CEBC, ULR, CNRS, INRAE, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS
Trematode genetic patterns at host individual and population scales provide insights about infection mechanisms
Multiple parasites can infect a single host, creating a dynamic environment where each parasite must compete over host resources. Such interactions can cause greater harm to the host than single infections and can also have negative consequences for the parasites themselves. In their first intermediate hosts, trematodes multiply asexually and can eventually reach up to 20% of the host's biomass. In most species, it is unclear whether this biomass results from a single infection or co-infection by 2 or more infective stages (miracidia), the latter being more likely a priori in areas where prevalence of infection is high. Using as model system the trematode Bucephalus minimus and its first intermediate host cockles, we examined the genetic diversity of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I region in B. minimus from 3 distinct geographical areas and performed a phylogeographic study of B. minimus populations along the Northeast Atlantic coast. Within localities, the high genetic variability found across trematodes infecting different individual cockles, compared to the absence of variability within the same host, suggests that infections could be generally originating from a single miracidium. On a large spatial scale, we uncovered significant population structure of B. minimus, specifically between the north and south of Bay of Biscay. Although other explanations are possible, we suggest this pattern may be driven by the population structure of the final host.
(Parasitology. vol. 150, n° 0031-1820, pp. 1207-1220, 19/06/2026)
USC, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, OASU, UB, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, INRAE
Monitoring the Temporal Evolution of the Floods in the Lower Mekong Basin using Multisatellite Observations
Surface water storage is an essential component of the hydrological cycle. Remote sensing offers valuable tools for monitoring both surface water extent from satellite images and water levels from radar altimetry. Combining both information, we were able to estimate the variations of surface water extent and storage in the Lower Mekong Basin from 2000 to 2020. Signatures of the extreme climatic events - floods from 2000 to 2002, of 2011, drought of 2015 clearly appear on both extent and storage. The mean amplitude of these variables shows a strong decrease when comparing the periods of 2000–2010 and 2011–2020. Between these two periods, a large reduction of the annual average number of days with the presence of floods can be observed in most of the Lower Mekong Basin, except around the Tonle Sap (Cambodia) and in some parts of the delta.
(pp. 5877-5880, 19/06/2026)
UMR ISPA, Bordeaux Sciences Agro, INRAE, LEGOS, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS, OASU, UB, INSU - CNRS, ULR, CNRS, INRAE, EPOC, EPHE, PSL, UB, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, USTH, LERMA, ENS-PSL, PSL, INSU - CNRS, CNRS, PSL, SU, CNRS, CY, GET, IRD, UT3, Comue de Toulouse, INSU - CNRS, CNES, CNRS