Download synthesis 2010-2015

SYNTHESIS 2010-2015
February 2016
CONTENT
1. SUMMARY
2.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATIONS
2.1 COORDINATORS
2.2 PARTNERS
2.3 SCIENTIFIC TEAMS
2.4 SCIENTIFIC ANIMATION
2.5 INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MISTRALS PROJECTS
2.6 ASSOCIATED RESEARCH PROJECTS
3.
DETAILED SCIENTIFIC REPORT
3.1 OBJECTIVES
3.2 PROGRESS
3.3 RESULTS
WP1 - Impact of hydrodynamics on biogeochemical budgets and ecosystems
WP2 - Ecological processes : biogeochemistry and food-web interactions
WP3 - Land-sea interactions and impacts of extreme events
WP4 - Natural and anthropogenic air-sea interactions
WP5 - Marine regionalisation planning
3.4 MODELING GROUP ACTIVITIES
3.5 INDICATORS
4.
RESSOURCES
4.1 HUMAN RESOURCES
4.2 FINANCIAL ALLOCATIONS
4.3 ACCESS TO NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES
4.4 STATES OF SPENDING AND PENDING APPLICATIONS
4.5 SW(OT) ANALYSIS
1. SUMMARY
The MERMEX project started in December 2007 with an EC2CO funding for a kick-off meeting that aimed at
defining the rationales, bottlenecks and objectives of an integrated research gathering the French community
working on the Mediterranean Sea. The outputs of this meeting were presented in a review paper coauthored by
94 French and foreign scientists entitled “Marine ecosystems’ responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcings
in the Mediterranean” published in 2011 in the journal Progress in Oceanography (*). A synthesis of our current
knowledge of expected changes was proposed, highlighting relevant questions for the future of the
Mediterranean ecosystems that are current research priorities for the scientific community. Finally, the ways of
how these priorities should be approached including observational studies and modeling effort at different
temporal and spatial scales was assessed.
The implementation of the project for the first phase (2010-2015) was split into 5 workpackages dealing with
different themes and physical interfaces, namely:
• Interactions between the hydrodynamics and the biogeochemistry (WP1).
• Interactions between the biogeochemistry and the food web (WP2).
• Interactions between the continent and the ocean and their impact on marine ecosystems (WP3)
• Interactions between the atmosphere and the ocean and their impact on marine ecosystems (WP4)
• Interactions between the ocean and the society (WP5)
From 2010 to 2015, a huge experimental effort has been made within the different workpackages (with more
than 250 days at sea) allowing the collection of various unique and coherent data sets combining physical,
biogeochemical, and biological data. The major results to date deal with:
• A better understanding of the functioning of the pelagic trophic web from the bacteria to the top predator.
• A better quantification of the inputs of organic matter and contaminants (in particular metals) by diffusive
(groundwater) and point (ports, rivers, wastewater outlets) sources and its influence on biogeochemistry.
• A better understanding of the influence of extreme events (flood, storm, dense shelf water cascading) on the
redistribution of particulate and dissolved matter on the coastal zone and towards the deep basin.
• A better understanding of major processes (acidification, dust fertilization, photo-degradation) taking place
in the water column, and of the fluxes of aerosols of biologic origin towards the atmosphere.
Regarding modeling, the major advances are:
• Improved quantification of the nitrogen and phosphorus budgets (organic and inorganic) and Chlorophyll at
the scale of the western and eastern Mediterranean basins
• Quantifying the impact of climate change on the acidification of the Mediterranean Sea
• Determination of the habitat of more than 1000 species throughout the Mediterranean
• Improved representation of the northwestern Mediterranean from the event scale to the seasonal scale
(quantification of the biogeochemical budgets, of the stoichiometry variations, conditions of the bloom
onset)
• Understanding the impact of climate change on some pelagic and benthic species distribution
• Modeling the transfer of contaminants through the planktonic food web
• Understanding the impact of extreme events on the budget of contaminants at the scale of the urbanized Bay
of Marseille
• Coupling of low and high trophic levels models
• Improved quantification of transfer from the shelf to the open sea (storms and cascading)
(*) MERMEX group (2011) Marine Ecosystems Responses to climatic and anthropogenic forcings in the
Mediterranean, Progress in Oceanography, 91, 2, 97-166.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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2. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATIONS
2.1 COORDINATORS
DURRIEU DE MADRON Xavier
DR CNRS, CEFREM, Perpignan
Email : [email protected]
GUIEU Cécile
DR CNRS, LOV, Villefranche/mer
Email : [email protected]
PAIRAUD Ivane
CR IFREMER, LERPAC, La Seyne-sur-Mer
Email : [email protected]
SEMPERE Richard
DR CNRS, MIO, Marseille
Email : [email protected]
2.2 PARTNERS
FRANCE
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
CNRS
CEA
IFREMER, La Seyne/mer, Brest, Nantes, Sète
University Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, Villefranche/mer, Banyuls/mer, Roscoff
University Paris-Est Créteil, Paris Diderot
University of Aix-Marseille, Marseille
University of Perpignan, Perpignan
University of Toulon, La Garde
University of Toulouse, Toulouse
University of Versailles – Saint Quentin, Gif/Yvette
SPAIN
• SOCIB, CSIC, Palma de Mallorca
•
•
ICM, CSIC, Barcelona
University of Barcelona, Barcelona
GREECE
• Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), Athens
TURKEY
• Institute of marine Science – Middle East Technical University (IMS-METU), Erdemli
ITALY
• Istituto Nazionale di Oceanografia e di Geofisica Sperimentale (OGS), Trieste
• Università Politecnica delle Marche (UPM), Ancona
ISRAEL
● Israel Oceanographic and Limnological Research (IOLR), Haifa
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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2.3 SCIENTIFIC TEAMS
CEFREM (Perpignan, France)
CEREGE (Aix-en-Provence, France)
CONISMA (Ancona, Italy)
EPOC (Bordeaux, france)
HCMR (Athens, Greece)
GEOSCIENCES (Montpellier, France)
IOLR (Haifa, Israel)
ISM-METU (Erdemli, Turkey)
ICM-CSIC (Barcelona, Spain)
IFREMER/DYNECO-PHYSED (Brest, France)
IFREMER/LBCM (Nantes, La Seyne/Mer, France)
IFREMER/LBCO (Nantes, France)
IFREMER/LHM (Sète, France)
IFREMER/LERPAC (La Seyne/Mer, France)
LA (Toulouse, France)
LAMETA (Montpellier, France)
LOMIC (Banyuls/mer, France)
LISA (Crétail, france)
LOCEAN (Paris, France)
LOV (Villefranche/mer, France)
LSCE (Gif/Yvette, France)
MIO (Marseille, France)
OGS (Trieste, Italy)
PROTEE (Toulon, France)
SBR (Roscoff, France)
SZN (Naples, Italy)
UPM (Ancona, Italy)
UB/GRGM (Barcelona, Spain)
2.4 SCIENTIFIC ANIMATION
MERMEX Steering committee: Monthly Visio conference
WP internal meetings: Workshops, Pre- and Post-cruises meetings
MERMEX thematic workshops: Envimed projects, Modeling
MERMEX general assembly (July 2010, March 2015)
MERMEX-Algérie kick-off meeting (Feb 2012, Algiers, Algeria)
MERMEX international workshop (June 2013, Zagreb, Croatia)
Presentation of MERMEX in international congresses
•
EGU General Assembly 2008 (13 – 18 Avr 2008, Vienne, Austria)
•
ASLO (25 – 30 Jan 2009, Nice, France)
•
Réunion SOLAS-France (22 – 23 Juin 2009, Paris, France)
•
39th CIESM Congress (10 – 14 Mai 2010, Venice, Italy)
•
AGU fall meeting (3 – 7 December 2012, San Francisco, USA)
•
ASLO 2013 Aquatic Sciences Meeting Learning for the Future (17 – 22 Feb 2013, New Orleans, USA)
•
4th International meeting on Meteorology and Climatology of the Mediterranean (27 Feb – 1 March 2013,
Banyuls, France)
•
EGU General Assembly 2013 (07 – 12 April 2013, Vienna, Austria)
•
40th CIESM Congress (28 October – 1 November 2013, Marseille, France)
•
IMBER Open Science Conference (23 – 27 June 2014, Bergen, Norway)
•
COP21 Our Common Future Under Climate Change (7 – 10 July 2015, Paris, France)
•
Future Coast Euromarine (5-7 October 2016, Berlin)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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2.5 INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER MISTRALS PROJECTS
MERMEX-HYMEX :
Pooling of physical observations of DEWEX and SOP2 of HyMeX (Argo, gliders), and sharing of
hydrodynamic modeling products and modeling scenarios.
MERMEX-CHARMEX :
Combining knowledge and expertise on the transfer of aerosols and radiative fluxes. Setting up of a joint action
(Peacetime cruise ranked priority 1 by CNFH in 2014 and scheduled for mid-2017)
SIMED Project common to HYMEX, CHARMEX MERMEX to coordinate and structure the scientific
community for high resolution ocean modeling of the Mediterranean Sea at basin scale.
MERMEX-SICMED :
Direct interactions in the context of the action SICMED-CARTAG'EAU and MERMEX-SGD on coastal
aquifers. The terrestrial part was addressed by SICMED, the marine part by MERMEX.
MERMEX–PALEOMEX :
Connection to the action on the reconstruction of paleopH (WP5)
2.6 ASSOCIATED RESEARCH PROJECTS
NATIONAL PROJECTS
EQUIPEX NAOS, LABEX OT-MED, ANR SAM, ANR COSTAS, ANR ECOGELY, ANR MATUGLI, ANR
RISCO, ANR AMORAD, RECIF PRADO, JELLYWATCH, EMIBIOS-FRB, MERCATOR-CORIOLIS
SIMED2, GIS CLIMAT ENV SOC MED-ICCBIO, EMERGENCE-CHIPIE, AMIDEX, OBSERVATOIRE
DES SEDIMENTS RHONE, EC2CO MASSILIA, GIRAC-PACA, ECOPELGOL
ENVIMED PROJECTS
MENAPHY (Mediterranean network for automated high frequency monitoring of phytoplankton)
TRACOMED (TRansfer of Atmospheric COntaminants to the MEDiterranean Sea)
COMECOM (COntaminants Métalliques dans l’Environnement COtier Méditerranéen)
SOMBA (Système d’Observation à la Mer du Bassin Algérien)
COZOMED (Effets of physical forcing on COastal ZOoplankton community structure : study of the unusual
case of a MEDiterranean ecosystem under strong tidal influence)
HYDROGENCONNECT (HYDROdynamic networks, population GENetics and oceanic CONNECTivity for
the design of Marine Protected Areas in the Mediterranean Sea)
TANGRAM (Towards A New Generation of Mediterranean sea climate models)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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EUROPEAN PROJECTS
HERMIONE (Hotspot Ecosystems Research and Man’s Impact on European Seas - 2009-2012 – http://www.euhermione.net/)
MEDSEA (Mediterranean Sea Acidification in a Changing Climate - 2011-2014 - http://medsea-project.eu/).
INCOMMET (Improving national capacities in observation and management of marine environment in Tunisia 2012-2014 - http://cordis.europa.eu/result/rcn/59166_fr.html)
PERSEUS (Policy-oriented marine Environmental Research for the Southern European Seas - 2011-2015 http://www.perseus-net.eu/).
OBSERVING SYSTEMS
MOOSE (Mediterranean Ocean Observing System on Environment)
SOCIB (Balearic Islands Coastal Observing and Forecasting System)
SOMLIT (Service d’Observation en Milieu Littoral)
OSR (Observatoire des Sédiments du Rhône)
INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS THAT ENDORSED MERMEX
SOLAS (Surface Ocean Lower Atmosphere Study) (since 2011)
IMBER (Integrated Marine Biogeochemistry And Ecosystem ResearcH) (since 2012)
LOICZ (Land Ocean Interaction In The Coastal Zone) (since 2012)
3. DETAILED SCIENTIFIC REPORT
3.1 OBJECTIVES
The semi-enclosed nature of the Mediterranean Sea, together with its smaller inertia due to the relative short
residence time of its water masses, make it highly reactive to external forcings, in particular variations of water,
energy and matter fluxes at the interfaces. Other major specificities of the Mediterranean Sea are :
•
different sites of shelf and open-ocean dense water formation, driving the thermo-haline circulation;
•
important shelf-slope exchanges associated in particular with episodic events such as storms, dense shelf
water cascading, and rim current intrusion;
•
large atmospheric inputs, providing significant amounts of nutrients;
•
an oligotrophic attribute, mostly in the eastern Mediterranean, implicating a peculiar trophic web;
•
a distinct stoichiometry with a deficit in silica;
•
strong anthropogenic CO2 level, and a rapid acidification;
•
notable point-source of contaminants (large port cities and rivers), and accumulation in various media
(water, sediment, organisms);
•
buildup of litter (mostly plastics) both in coastal and deep environments;
•
increasing number of non-indigenous species (sometimes invasive), primarily issued from shipping and
lessepsian migration.
The Mediterranean Sea, which has been identified as a “hotspot” for climate change, is therefore expected to
experience environmental impacts that are considerably greater than those in many other places around the
world. These natural pressures interact with the increasing demographic and economic developments occurring
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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heterogeneously in the coastal zone, making the Mediterranean even more sensitive. In a synthesis paper
(MERMEX Group, 2011), we provided a review of the state of current functioning and responses of
Mediterranean marine biogeochemical cycles and ecosystems with respect to key natural and anthropogenic
drivers. We considered the ecosystems’ responses to likely changes in physical, chemical and socio-economical
forcings induced by global change and by growing anthropogenic pressure at the regional scale. The current
knowledge on and expected changes due to single forcing (hydrodynamics, solar radiation, temperature and
acidification, chemical contaminants) and combined forcing (nutrient sources and stoichiometry, extreme events)
affecting the biogeochemical fluxes and ecosystem functioning were examined. Expected changes in
biodiversity resulting from the combined action of the different forcings were proposed. Finally, modeling
capabilities and necessity for modeling were presented. Modeling acts as an integrative tool, including
observational studies at different temporal and spatial scales, to investigate the question of how climate change
and anthropogenic activities impact the cycle of biogenic elements and marine ecosystems.
The objectives of the first phase of the project were designed to fill critical gaps identified in the synthesis paper
on:
•
the effect of important and recurrent hydrodynamical processes (floods, storms, dense water formations) on
the redistribution and cycles of chemical elements with biogeochemical interest in the coastal and openocean regions ;
•
the inputs and fate of contaminants in the different media (water, sediment, and organisms) ;
•
the quantification and effect of air-sea fluxes of gases and particles, and solar radiations of the pelagic
ecosystems ;
•
the structure of the planktonic ecosystem and the interactions with planktivorous predators (i.e. small
pelagic fish, jellyfishes, crustaceans) ;
•
the improvement of the delineation of biogeochemical (i.e. regions consistent in their hydrology) and
ecological regions (i.e. regions defined by hydrological and biological frontiers) for the Mediterranean Sea.
The selected study areas (primarily the Gulf of Lions shelf and the northwestern Mediterranean) were chosen on
the basis of specific, insufficiently resolved processes and pressures, but also for practical reasons (existing
knowledge and data, easy access to marine research infrastructures).
The fieldwork was coordinated with process-oriented modeling and took advantage of the existing long-term
observing systems (SOMLIT, MOOSE).
3.2 PROGRESS
The work was segmented in 5 workpackages (WP) dealing with specific thematic or geographical interfaces of
the marine system:
•
WP1 (hydrodynamical – biogeochemistry interactions) dealt with the role of hydrodynamical processes on
the concentration of key biogenic elements (nutrients and organic matter) and plankton in the water column
over an annual cycle through one action: "DEWEX" focusing the role of dense water formation at the
regional scale.
•
WP2 (biogeochemistry – food web interactions) designed an integrated approach of the pelagic trophic food
web from bacteria up to the predatory fish through two actions: "SPECIMED" focusing on the analysis and
typology of community structures from bacteria to mesozooplankton, and "POISSONS" studying the trophic
interactions between zooplankton / small pelagic fish / tuna, through the study of stomach contents by
means of innovative approaches (barcoding). These actions were merged in the "IPP" action where a joint
strategy was set up,, to bridge lower and higher trophic levels.
•
WP3 (continent-ocean interactions) aimed at characterizing and modeling transfers and transformations of
carbon, nutrients and contaminants through the coastal zone (from the continent to the open sea) and their
impacts on the pelagic ecosystems. The main continental inputs considered are rivers, cities and submarine
groundwater discharges. This activity was performed through 5 actions : “RIVERS” on the immediate fate
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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of the river inputs to the sea, “C3A” on the contamination by megacities, “SGD” on the mapping of
submarine groundwater discharges, “CASCADE” for the shelf transport and export to the open sea, and
“COPEL” on the fate of contaminants in pelagic food webs.
•
WP4 (atmosphere-ocean interactions) aimed at characterizing the different atmospheric fluxes (solar
radiations, gaseous, particulate) and their impact on the marine ecosystems. This activity was performed
through 8 actions: « CARBORHONE » on CO2 fluxes in a river dominated-coastal system,
« CALIBORON » on the quantification of surface water acidification, « CHIPIE » and « MEDSEAMESO » on the behavior of biogeochemical elements in evolving environmental conditions (ocean
acidification, increase in temperature), « SUNMEX » on solar radiation dimming, « PHOTOMED » on
photo-transformation of organic matter, « PARTICULE » on the fate of atmospheric organic compounds in
seawater, « SAM » on the emissions of marine aerosols and volatile organic compounds.
•
WP5 (society-ocean interactions) aims at linking the scientific knowledge about Mediterranean ecosystems
with the societal pressures and needs of the populations around the basin. The actions
« REGIONALISATION » and « MESI » undertook a basin-scale studies of the distribution of ecosystems
and ecosystem services in relation with anthropogenic pressures. The action « PLANKMED » aimed at
investigating the impact of climate change on the evolution of the structure of the ecosystems, in terms of
displacement of biogeochemical regions and ecoregions. The action “ICOCE” aimed at investigating the
impact of climate change on the mortality or displacement of benthic communities along the northwestern
Mediterranean coasts.
During the first phase (2010-2015) of the project, many actions composed some WPs. This apparent dispersal
was essentially linked to the various funds, obtained in parallel to the MISTRALS funding, which supported
specific research activities. This was especially true for fundings that were obtained at the very beginning or
even prior to the start of the MERMEX project in 2010 (see part 4: Financial allocations).
3.3 RESULTS
WP1 - Impact of hydrodynamics on biogeochemical budgets and ecosystems
WP Leaders : P. Conan (LOMIC), P. Testor (LOCEAN), F. D’Ortenzio (LOV), C. Estournel (LA)
DEWEX (Deep water formation experiment)
The objective of the WP1 was focused on the functioning of the North Western Mediterranean marine
ecosystems. A special attention was paid to the impact of winter convection on the redistribution of nutrients, on
the development and succession of phytoplankton and zooplankton groups throughout the annual cycle, on the
stoichiometry of organic and inorganic matter and on the export.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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The first implementation year from June 2012 to September 2013 allowed us to detail the seasonal and
interannual variability of the physical biogeochemical biological system. The DeWEX cruises (Leg 1 in
February 2013 and Leg 2 in April 2013) were the major operations in the framework of MERMEX but they were
completed by: (i) the long-term observation program MOOSE (through the annual MOOSE-GE cruises in June
and through the LION mooring line located in the center of the convection zone), (ii) two lighter cruises in
September called DoWEX, (iii) the two SOPs of HyMeX (Special Observation Periods), (iv) repeated sections
by gliders equipped with biogeochemical sensors, (v) the NAOS EQUIPEX project and DeWEXTEND project
with the deployments of Bio-Argo floats.
Carried out at key moments of the oceanic seasonal cycle, the oceanographic cruises are related each other by
the intensive use of autonomous platforms: for the most gliders during the winter-spring transition, and then
profiling floats later on. About 9000 biogeochemical profiles were collected only during the 2012-2013 winterspring period. This coherent full data set is used to validate and improve the dedicated models. Indeed, modeling
is an essential complement to the observations. A coupled hydrodynamic-biogeochemistry 3D SymphonieEco3mS model with a resolution of 1 kilometer was devoted to the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. The
realism of boundary conditions in such models when they are integrated for several months is crucial. In order to
achieve this realism, the physical model is forced by the MERCATOR analyses corrected with the MOOSE-GE
cruise and the biogeochemical model is nested in a global Mediterranean configuration consisting in a forcing of
the same biogeochemical model forced by the MERCATOR analyses. The model first helped to prepare the
sampling strategy and then was used in real-time during the cruises, and now is used for the estimation of
biogeochemical fluxes associated with deep convection process and spring plankton bloom development and
finally to establish a budget of the region for the one-year period.
The collected dataset enables a unique 4D observational description of the deep convection phase and of the
subsequent spring bloom. Initial results indicate: (i) a violent mixing reaching the bottom in the convection zone
in February 2013, (ii) a vertical continuity of the main structures of the horizontal currents confirming the
barotropic pattern of the hydrodynamic circulation in the basin and (iii) a dense shelf water cascading event in
February-March 2013. The coupling with the HyMeX SOP 1 and 2 permitted to measure intensively the oxygen
content of the water column before, during and after winter convection to help to estimate the volume of water
mass formed and the distribution of this water mass ventilation in the northwestern basin. A simulation of dense
water formation initialized with the summer 2012 cruise and carefully validated with the DoWEX, DeWEX and
HyMeX SOP2 data allowed to give the first estimation of the volume of newly formed dense water of 50000
km3.
Modeled and observed distribution of
phosphate along a N-S section crossing the
convection region during the Leg-1 (February
2013, mixing period) and Leg-2 (April 2013,
stratified and bloom period) of the DEWEX
cruises
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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The interannual variability analysis of the bioregions defined by D'Ortenzio and Ribera d'Alcala (2009) has
provided information on the spatial extent of the "Bloom" and "intermittent" regimes at the time of Legs 1 and 2
of DeWEX cruise. Our intensive survey also allows us to distinguish new phenological patterns that will provide
essential information on the relationship between physics and the triggering of the spring bloom. After a
recalibration allowed by the huge amount of data available, the biogeochemical model simulations represent
correctly the large scale seasonal cycle and also at high resolution the profiles of nitrate, phosphate, silicate and
DOC in the three groups of stations explored during DeWEX Leg1 (stratified, convected and intermediate).
The mesoscale physical phenomena appear to have significant impacts on the distribution of marine particles in
the water column and on the distribution of biogeochemical components in the photic layer. The "cascading" and
deep eddies cause significant resuspension of fine particles (200 to 500 m) and seem to have a long term effect
on deep-sea ecosystems. Regarding the process of deep convection, it favors vertical homogenization of the
particles in the mixing zone. Stations located in the mixing zone had also high abundances of major nutrients but
relatively low biological contribution. At the edges of this zone, we observed a balance between the intensity of
the mixing and nutrient enrichment, allowed a small but significant accumulation of biomass primary producers.
Finally, in the most coastal stations not affected by the deep convection, an accumulation of dissolved organic
carbon (DOC) and nitrite (NO2) suggested an undisturbed state of the ecosystem since the fall conditions.
Phenology of the Mediterranean based on surface Chlorophyll-a variability delimiting regions with different
annual cycle and intensity of the phytoplanktonic production. The northwestern Mediterranean region in yellow)
represents a peculiar place with an intense and sharp Spring bloom. The sampling strategy was adapted to this
pattern.
During the spring bloom, a group of stations was characterized by high nutrients concentrations and opposed to a
second group with low concentrations. In the latter, some stations had relatively low concentrations of DOC and
dissolved oxygen compared to others. Finally, according to the high frequency sampling, we were able to
distinguish three different types of organization. A first organization was dominated by size classes of
microphytoplankton in the convection zone. The other two types of organizations concerned with group with low
nutrient concentrations. Some stations were dominated by size classes of nanophytoplankton but
picophytoplankton was abundant. These stations are those stratified in winter and south of the Balearic front in
April. The last type of structure was dominated by nanophytoplankton but microphytoplankton remained
abundant.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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The stage structure of the zooplankton community, studied by a coupled stable isotope-biomass spectra analysis
of zooplankton trophic dynamics, indicated that reproduction had already occurred at the time of Leg1 (i.e.
before the strong winter convections). An order of magnitude increase in biomass between Leg 1 and Leg 2 was
largely attributed to the growth of juvenile copepods spawned prior to Leg 2, and signified a shift towards top
down control in spring (based on normalized biomass spectra). Stable isotope data pointed to increased herbivore
amongst the zooplankton on Leg 2, supported by grazing predominantly on nano- and pico-phytoplankton size
classes.
During the two legs of DeWEX, a continuous system of ultra clean surface seawater sampling was specifically
built in order to obtain an accurate view of the surface ecosystems. The objective was to study the coupling
phytoplanktonic community structure (stocks) and functioning (pCO2, O2, organic tracers and net community
production) within the context of deep-water formation and mesoscale structure. The functional and structural
diversities of ultraplankton were investigated by flow cytometry. First results highlight the dominance at the
basin scale of the nanoplankton population marked by high level of production. Mesoscale activity exhibit places
with elevated organic matter production as well as site exhibiting low production and/or exportation of the
organic matter from the surface waters. Areas of high NCP values were related to chlorophyll biomass and low
NCP values were related to areas where vertical mixing occurs. Biogenic silica analyses of surface samples
showed low diatom abundance over the convection zone in February (Leg 1), but non-negligible amounts at the
edge of the Gulf of Lions and in the Ligurian Sea. BSi concentrations increased markedly in April in the
convection zone and Northwest of Corsica. Surprisingly at these stations, the diatom bloom was a nearly
complete monospecific bloom of a nanoplanktonic size diatom. It seems likely that this situation is repeated at
other stations where BSi and fucoxanthin were high.
The coupled model was used to study the variations of the stoichiometry N/P in the surface layers. The physical
(mixing) and biogeochemical (uptake, excretion, nitrification) processes have been disentangled at the different
periods of the annual cycle. A budget of nitrogen and phosphorus has been calculated for the region quantifying
the exchanges between the surface and subsurface layers as well as the exchanges between the convection zone
and the peripheral region. The conditions triggering the bloom onset at the end of the convection period have
been attributed to the heat flux and turbulent mixing decrease coupled to the minimum of zooplankton biomass.
Finally, phytoplankton dynamics and biogeochemical fluxes have been compared in three hydrodynamically
distinct regions of the western Mediterranean Sea (deep convection, shallow convection and stratified areas)
which present significantly different seasonal cycles. The model suggests that, at the annual scale, primary
production could be higher in stratified regions than in the deep convection area.
Modeled budget of nutrient in the epipelagic layer
of the northwestern Mediterranean over a full
annual cycle (Summer 2012- Summer 2013)
REFERENCES
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MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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Mayot N., F. D'Ortenzio, M. Ribera d’Alcalà, H. Lavigne, H. Claustre. The Mediterranean trophic regimes from
ocean color satellites: a reappraisal. Biogeoscience (submitted)
Touratier F., C. Goyet, L. Houpert, X. Durrieu de Madron, D. Lefèvre, M. Stabholz, V. Guglielmi. Role of deep
convection on carbon sequestration in the Gulf of Lions (northwestern Mediterranean Sea). Deep-Sea Research
(in revision)
MERMEX contribution to MERMEX/HYMEX Special Issue on “Dense water formations in the North
Western Mediterranean: from the physical forcings to the biogeochemical consequences” - Journal of
Geophysical Research (Ocean-Atmosphere). Conan P., Estournel C., Testor P., D’Ortenzio F. (eds)
Submission from 01/09/2015 to 07/01/2016
1- Testor et al. Introduction to the physic of the Deep Water Formation Experiment (DeWEX) [MERMEX /
HYMEX / MOOSE / SOCIB]
2- Conan et al. Introduction to the biogeochemistry of the Deep Water Formation Experiment (DeWEX)
[MERMEX]
3- Simon et al. export of particles and organic carbon via UVP data from DEWEX and MOOSE-GE cruises,
including data from DYFAMED traps, BILLION and LIONCEAU [MERMEX]
4- Donoso et al. Spatial and temporal pattern of zooplankton community composition in relation to water column
properties in NW Med Sea [MERMEX]
5- Mayot et al. Annual cycle of biogeochemical high frequency observations in the NW Mediterranean
[MERMEX]
6- Ulse et al. Coupled model / DIC [MERMEX]
7- Ghiglione et al. Diversity of bacteria and archaea (DNA 16S) and metabolically active (16S RNA) associated
or not with convection process [MERMEX]
8- Goutx et al. Fluorescent dissolved organic matter (FDOM) distribution in surface waters of the DEWEX area
using the MiniFluo-UV sensor technology [MERMEX]
9- Hunt et al. Stable isotope -biomass spectrum based analysis of the trophic dynamics of the NW Med Sea
plankton community during spring / early summer [MERMEX]
10- Kessouri et al. Cycle and annual budget compared to various cruises [MERMEX]
11- Kessouri et al. Processes at high frequency during DEWEX cruises [MERMEX]
12- Lefèvre et al. Synoptical distribution of biogeochemical parameters within the mixed layer during winter and
early spring in North western Mediterranean Sea : A joint in situ and modeling approach.[MERMEX]
13- Severin et al. Nutrients and organic matter budget [MERMEX]
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
11
14- Dugenne et al. Fine-scale coverage of phytoplankton spatio-temporal distribution in the Gulf of Lions (NW
Med Sea) using automated flow cytometry [MERMEX]
15- Houpert et al. Observations of open-ocean deep convection in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea: seasonal
and interannual variability of mixing and deep water masses for the 2007-2013 period [MERMEX / MOOSE]
16- Durrieu de Madron et al. Deep sediment resuspension and ascending carbon fluxes by open-ocean
convection [MERMEX / MOOSE]
17- Waldmann et al. An uncertainty framework to estimate dense water formation rates: case study in the
Northwestern Mediterranean [HYMEX]
18. Waldmann et al. Impact of mesoscale eddies and summer preconditioning on ocean deep convection:
simulation of the 2012-2013 case study in the Gulf of Lions [HYMEX]
19. Caniaux et al. Surface heat budget over Northwestern Mediterranean during 2012-2013: how to best
estimate air-sea fluxes [HYMEX]
20. Léger et al. Dense Water Formation in the North-Western Mediterranean area during HyMeX-SOP2 in
1/36° ocean simulations: Sensitivity to initial conditions [HYMEX]
21. Lebeaupin-Brossier et al. Dense Water Formation in the North-Western Mediterranean area during HyMeXSOP2 in 1/36° ocean simulations: Ocean-atmosphere coupling impact [HYMEX]
22. Beuvier et al. Impact of assimilating the in-situ HyMeX SOP's observations on the modeling of the northwestern Mediterranean Sea [HYMEX]
23. Taupier-Letage et al. Salinity and Temperature Observations from moorings during the 2012-2013
[HYMEX]
24. Arsouze et al. how model resolution influences deep convection simulation during HyMeX-SOP2
[HYMEX]
25. Herrmann et al. Interanual variability of Dense water formation using Chl and SSH satellite
images[HYMEX]
26. Giordani et al. Potential vorticity budget and dense water formation in Northwestern Mediterranean
[HYMEX]
27. Coppola et al. Estimation of the volume of dense water formed during 2012-2013 using Oxygen ARGO
observations [HYMEX]
28. Garnier et al. Nested simulations of a ocean convective event of HyMeX-SOP2 [HYMEX]
29. Bosse et al. Ocean physical processes inferred from 2012-2013 observations [HYMEX]
30. Marmain et al. Simulation of a deep convection event from HyMeX-SOP2 : Sensitivity to turbulence
parameterizations [HYMEX]
31. Canut et al. Characterization of Marine boundary layer during HyMeX-SOP2 [HYMEX]
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
12
WP2 - Ecological processes : biogeochemistry and food-web interactions
WP leaders : F. Carlotti (MIO), F. Van Wambeke (MIO), S. Bonhommeau (LHM)
SPECIMED (Structures of planktonic ecosystems in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea)
SPECIMED aims at establishing a 4-year observation platform of plankton community including bacteria,
phyto-, microzoo- and mesozooplankton together with physical environment (current patterns, hydrology,
measurements of micro-scale turbulence) and biogeochemical elements distribution (C, N, P, and Si) at the
eastern and the western parts of the Gulf of Lions.
Field sampling was achieved between June 2010 and June 2014 at two stations in the Marseille area (SOFCOM,
JULIO) and two stations in the Banyuls area (SOLA, MOLA). The analyses of biogeochemical parameters have
been made for both sites. Counts have been done for phytoplankton at the Banyuls site (June 2012 to June 2014)
and at the Marseille site (June 2010 to June 2011) and for zooplankton at the Marseille site (June 2010 to
December 2013). Taxonomical analyses and counts of mesozooplankton, analysis of LISST (Laser in-situ
Scattering and Transmission) and LOPC (Laser Optical Plankton Counter) data were processed until the end of
2014 and are currently compared and validated with classical observation by microscopy.
Community structures of
the mesozooplankton in the
Gulf of Lions. Percentage
and abundance of the main
taxa groups in August
2012.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
13
POISSONS (Ecology of pelagics fishes in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea)
The POISSONS action aims through field studies and modeling approaches at (i) identifying the most likely
reason(s) for the sharp decline in small pelagics biomass over the last 6 years, i.e. fishing, environment,
predation, disease, (ii) estimating the amount of small pelagics preyed by bluefin tuna in the Gulf of Lions.
Data are collected on large pelagics to estimate the amount of small pelagic in their diet (stomach contents,
isotope analyses). An annual acoustic survey enables the estimation of the biomass of small pelagics in the Gulf
of Lions (PELMED survey by IFREMER). An aerial survey enables the estimation of the abundance of large
pelagics (bluefin tuna ; Thunnus thynnus).
Observations of biomasses and landings of anchovy, sardine, and sprat in the Gulf of Lions.
Modeling approaches combining biogeochemical models, ocean circulation models, and bio-energetic models
were used to simulate the growth and survival of small pelagics (anchovies, Engraulis encrasicolus) in the Gulf
of Lions depending on environmental conditions.
IPP (Interactions plancton planctonophages)
Food
web
analyses
using
stable
isotope
ratios
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
14
The interaction between plankton and their predators is recognized to be a key issue in the trophic link between
the planktonic ecosystems and the fish trophic levels. IPP was therefore a logical continuation of SPECIMED
and POISSONS, which were already integrated in observation programs (ROMARIN, MOOSE, MEDITS,
PELMED), but needed to be merged for a better understanding of food web interactions between the planktonic
levels and their predators.
This action thus aims at developing an integrated approach to better assess and quantify the interactions between
plankton and their main predators. Planktivorous (small pelagic fish, jellyfishes, crustaceans) are traditionally
observed separately. The work focused on (i) the implementation of simultaneous measurements of plankton
stocks and small pelagic fish stocks on the Gulf of Lions to assess time and scale variability, (ii) the obtaining of
reliable information on prey resources, growth constant, larvae recruitment of small pelagic fishes, and (iii) the
improvement of the representation of the planktivorous functional groups in planktonic trophic models (jellyfish
and small pelagic fish).
REFERENCES
Alekseenko E., V. Raybaud, B. Espinasse, F. Carlotti, B. Queguiner, B. Thouvenin, P. Garreau, M. Baklouti
(2014). Seasonal dynamics and stoichiometry of the planktonic community in the NW Mediterranean Sea: a 3D
modeling approach. Ocean Dynamics, 64(2), 179-207.
Auger P.A., C. Ulses, C. Estournel., L. Stemmann., S. Somot., F. Diaz (2014) Interannual control of plankton
communities by deep winter mixing and prey/predator interactions in the NW Mediterranean: results from a 30year 3D modeling study. Progress in Oceanography, 124, 12-27.
Augustine, S., S. Rosa., S. A.L.M. Kooijman, F. Carlotti, J.C. Poggiale, (2014). Modeling the eco-physiology
of the purple mauve stinger, Pelagia noctiluca using Dynamic Energy Budget theory. Journal of Sea Research,
94, 52-64
Bauer R. K., S. Bonhommeau, B. Brisset, J. M Fromentin (2015) Aerial surveys to monitor bluefin tuna
abundance and track efficiency of management measures. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 534, 221-234.
Bauer, R. K., J. M. Fromentin, H. Demarcq, B. Brisset, S. Bonhommeau (2015). Co-occurrence and habitat use
of fin whales, striped dolphins and Atlantic bluefin tuna in the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea. PloS one,
10(10), e0139218.
Banaru D, Mellon-Duval C, Roos D, Bigot JL, Souplet A, Jadaud A, Beaubrun P, Fromentin JM (2013) Trophic
structure in the Gulf of Lions marine ecosystem (north-western Mediterranean Sea) and fishing impacts. Journal
of Marine Systms, 111–112, 45–68.
Banaru D, F. Carlotti, G. Grégory, M. Harmelin-Vivien, N. Neffati (2014). Seasonal variation of stable isotopes
ratios and feeding behaviour of zooplankton size groups". Journal Plankton Research, 36(1), 145-156.
Brosset, P., Ménard, F., Fromentin, J. M., Bonhommeau, S., Ulses, C., Bourdeix, J. H., ... & Saraux, C. (2015).
Influence of environmental variability and age on the body condition of small pelagic fish in the Gulf of Lions.
Marine Ecology Progress Series, 529, 219-231.
Brosset P, B Le Bourg, Costalago D, Bănaru D, Bourdeix JH, Van Beveren E, Fromentin JM, Ménard F, Saraux
C. Linking small pelagic dietary shifts and ecosystem changes in the Gulf of Lions. Progress in Oceanography
(submitted)
Carlotti F., L. Eisenhauer, R. Campbell, F. Diaz (2014). Modeling the spatial and temporal population dynamics
of the copepod Centropages typicus in the northwestern Mediterranean Sea during the year 2001 using a 3D
ecosystem model. Journal of Marine Systems, 135, 97-116.
Diaz F., Banaru D. Ballerini T., et al. A two-way coupled model for the Gulf of Lions: investigating the effects
of different linking functions between spatially explicit high trophic level and low trophic level models. Journal
of Marine Systems (submitted)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
15
Espinasse B., F. Carlotti, M. Zhou, J.L. Devenon (2014) Defining zooplankton habitats in the Gulf of Lions (NW
Mediterranean Sea) using size structure and environmental conditions. Marine Ecology Progress Series, 506:3146.
Espinasse B., M. Harmelin-Vivien, M. Tiano, L. Guilloux, F. Carlotti (2014) Patterns of variations in C and N
stable isotope ratios in size-fractionated zooplankton in the Gulf of Lions, NW Mediterranean Sea. Journal of
Plankton Research, DOI: 10.1093/plankt/fbu043.
Herrmann M., F. Diaz, C. Estournel, P. Marsaleix, C. Ulses (2013) Impact of atmospheric and oceanic
interannual variability on the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea pelagic planktonic ecosystem and associated
carbon cycle. Journal of Geophysical Research, DOI: 10.1002/jgrc.20405.
Herrmann M., C. Estournel, F. Adloff, F. Diaz (2014) Impact of climate change on the northwestern
Mediterranean Sea pelagic planktonic ecosystem and associated carbon cycle. Journal of Geophysical ResearchOceans. 199,9, 5815-5836.
Jeanbille M., J. Gury, R. Duran, J. Tronczynski, J.-F. Ghiglione, H. Agogué, O. ben Saïd, N. Taïb, D. Debroas,
C. Garnier, J.-C. Auguet. Chronic PAHs contamination is a marginal driver of community diversity and
procaryotic predicted functioning in coastal sediments (in preparation)
Le Bourg B, Banaru D, Saraux C, Nowaczyk A, Le Luherne E, Jadaud A, Bigot JL, Richard P (2015) Trophic
niche overlap of sprat and commercial small pelagic teleosts in the Gulf of Lions (NW Mediterranean Sea).
Journal of Sea Research, 103, 138-146
Nieblas, A. E., Drushka, K., Reygondeau, G., Rossi, V., Demarcq, H., Dubroca, L., & Bonhommeau, S. (2014).
Defining Mediterranean and Black Sea biogeochemical subprovinces and synthetic ocean indicators using
mesoscale oceanographic features. PloS one, 9(10), e111251.
Tiano M., J. Tronczynski, M. Harmelin-Vivien, C. Tixier, F. Carlotti (2014) PCB concentrations in plankton size
classes, a temporal study in Marseille Bay, Western Mediterranean Sea. Marine Pollution Bulletin 89, 1–2, 331–
339.
Van Beveren E., S. Bonhommeau, J.M. Fromentin, J.L. Bigot, J.H. Bourdeix, P. Brosset, D. Roos, C. Saraux
(2014) Rapid changes in growth, condition, size and age of small pelagic fish in the Mediterranean. Marine
Biology, 161, 1809-1822.
Vaugeois M, F. Diaz, F. Carlotti (2013) A mechanistic Individual-Based Model of the feeding processes for
Oikopleura dioica. PLoS ONE 8(11): e78255. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0078255.
WP3 - Land-sea interactions and impacts of extreme events
WP leaders : C. Rabouille (LSCE), O. Radakovitch (CEREGE)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
16
SGD (Occurrence of groundwater discharges, quantification and role on ecosystem)
The occurrence of submarine groundwater discharges (SGD) in the coastal zone has been studied for the first
time at the entire scale of the coast, from Banyuls/mer to Menton. The first part of this work based on
radionuclide data is now finished with the second RADLIT cruise (May 2014). Data have been treated to precise
the areas of SGD and make a first assessment of water inputs. Punctual inputs have been found in the eastern
part of the coast associated to local karstic springs. In the western part, higher radionuclides activities in front of
the Roussillon plain may be associated to a karstic spring near Leucate. This work will be continued in the
framework of two recent ANR projects: ANR MED-SGD and ANR MED-LOC.
The influence of SGD has been also studied at more local scale, in order to improve the evaluation of water
inputs through radioisotopes budget. The work in Bonifacio area was finished in January 2014. The survey do
reveal a small groundwater discharge associated to the sandstone-limestone aquifer except in the Port area, in
agreement with hydrogeological hypothesis. In the Calanques (Marseille), the SGD input through the Port-Miou
spring has been estimated based on a compilation of radionuclide data from two laboratories. The first estimation
gives a value (1 m3/s) which is lower than the one effectively measured by hydrogeological approach (around 4
m3/s). This discharge seems insignificant but is very similar to those of numerous small rivers along the coast.
The difficulty highlighted with this calculation is due to the representativeness of the sampling in such area: the
very low tide of the Mediterranean Sea does not allow the mixing of the water column and thus SGD waters are
located in a tiny surface plume, similar to those of the rivers. The last survey in the area was done in September
2014, with a new sampling strategy adapted to this Mediterranean specification.
Radium isotopes (224Ra and 223Ra) have been analyzed in December 2012 in Oualidia lagoon (Morocco) as
well as coastal groundwater potentially discharging in the lagoon. In Tunisia, the Korba coastal aquifer have
been sampled in June 2013 for radium, radon, delta-180 and delta-D isotopes along two transects parallel to the
groundwater flow. The results indicate seawater intrusion along transect 1, and groundwater discharge along
transect 2, in good agreement with hydrogeological data. A short cruise was also done on October 2014 along
the Korba coastal zone but without success (problem with material transport and accessibility to the sites). This
part of the SGD action is also related to SICMED for the continental aquifer.
Measure of 224Ra activity along the French coast. Arrows indicate known ground water discharges.
C3A (Impact of large cities, Coastal waters, Urban rivers, WWTP, Chemical pollutants, Flux, Behaviour,
Fate, Sediments, Modeling)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
17
Large coastal cities such as Marseille or Toulon, two contrasted cases of Mediterranean coastal agglomerations,
could represent a non-negligible source of pollutants to the coastal waters with regard to other known inputs
(rivers, aerosols, …). In Marseille, the understanding of contaminants cycles (inorganic/organic) related to their
behavior in the main tributaries during contrasted weather conditions, discharge variations and fate in the
coastal area have required numerous sampling campaigns, the development of lab and on-field analytical tools,
the design of laboratory experiments, as well as 3D hydrodynamic, sediment transport and contaminant
behavior modeling. Contrasted sources (mainly from rivers during flood but from wastewater treatment plant
during base flow) controlled annual pollutants fluxes but also strongly influenced their overall levels in coastal
waters, and most probably their potential impact toward living organisms. The urban nutrient inputs effect on
primary production was assessed using a hydrodynamical-biogeochemical coupled model of the bay of
Marseille that showed the important role of physical processes on the oligotrophic level of the area. In Toulon
bay, the works focused more particularly on the contamination of the sediment. A fine cartography associated
to regular cores sampling followed by deep chemical analysis of porewater / solid, chemical extractions and
geochemical modeling have demonstrated the dramatic multi-contamination status and the potential risks for
the surrounding environment. Bacterial processes appeared to strongly control Hg methylation/demethylation,
TBT degradation, organic matter and metals/metalloids mobility in the sediment layer and at the
sediment/water interface. Stable isotopic Pb measurements performed on surface/deep sediments, water
column and mussels clearly evidenced direct pathway between polluted sediments and filtering organisms.
Comparison of contributions by the rivers and the
Marseille wastewater treatment plant (in %). During
period of low flow discharges of the treatment plant is
the main source of many inorganic contaminants in
the bay of Marseille
RIVERS (Influence of extreme events on river delivery of particulate organic carbon, nutrient and
contaminants, their fate in the delta and continental shelf and their impact on ecosystems)
The input of contaminants, organic matter and nutrients from rivers into the Mediterranean represents an
important contribution to the freshwater and element budget of the Sea. In this system dominated by events
where floods deliver 50% of freshwater and 80% of particles and where resuspension events transfer most of the
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
18
particles over the shelf to the deep Mediterranean Sea, high frequency monitoring is essential. These
observations are coupled to process studies on the fate of dissolved and particulate elements to understand
aggregation, settling and mineralization of organic matter and contaminants. Long-term observations have
started during the period 2011-2013 allowing different types of events to be recorded, such as a storm in 2013.
Major achievements concern the Mesurho and Bessete stations located at the Rhône River mouth for Mesurho
and on the continental shelf near Sète for BeSete. At the Mesurho station, time series of freshwater and particle
discharge, and their recycling in sediments have been acquired for 3 years. A clear link between high frequency
events (floods, storms) and the recycling of particulate organic matter in the sediment has been evidenced thanks
to a newly developed benthic station which allows time series of sedimentary recycling to be measured. At the
same location, the processes governing particle dynamics (aggregation and settling) were studied by combining
in situ data acquired using Scanfish, in situ grain size and satellite images. A new development was made in
2014 for synoptic studies on the continental shelf using sea gliders equipped with turbidity sensors. These data
gave the opportunity to study particle transfer, which is dominated by two modes: in the surface plume during
high waters and in the nepheloid layer during base flow. The organic matter quality and transformations
contained in these particles were ascertained using isotopic tracers which indicated that the terrestrial organic
carbon was mostly deposited and mineralized near the river mouth (in the river prodelta) with little export of the
mineralizable part. Furthermore, the deposition of marine organic matter in the shelf sediments below the Rhône
River plume is limited, thereby showing that most marine production based on river nutrients is either
mineralized in the water column (including the nepheloid layer) or exported out of the shelf.
Variability of carbon cycling in the Rhône River delta
during storms, which provokes sediment erosion of
the oxic layers and exposure of underlying reduced
layers. This increases in turn the availability of
reduced compounds and organic carbon for
oxidation.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
19
COBEC / COPEL (Characteristics and modeling of transfers and impacts of contaminants through the
marine food web (COBEC: benthic ecosystem, and COPEL: pelagic ecosystem)
These two actions have been initiated but mainly in parallel to the MERMEX project. The ANR COSTAS
studied the contamination status of Anchovy and Sardine in the Gulf of Lions as well as the bioaccumulation
pathways of PCB and metals in this area.
Concerning benthic species, the works focused onto phytoplankton and bacteria within the ANR RISCO. A
series of experiment was performed in Thau and Bizerte lagoons to assess the consequences of polluted sediment
resuspension on phytoplankton communities. The sediment elutriate (nutrient and contaminants) strongly
stimulated growth of phytoplankton together with an increase in metabolic activity (production and respiration).
These changes were however not followed by noticeable modifications of the phytoplankton community
structure. Works are in progress to better understand the role of nutrient as a control of the pollutant toxicity.
Other findings related to bacteria and sediment contaminations were related to C3A action.
CASCADE (Impact of Cascading, Storm, Convection, Advection, and Downwelling Events on shelf-slope
exchanges)
The dynamics of water and elements in the Gulf of Lion is influenced by strong meteorological events that result
in significant transfer of matter from the surface layer to the deep. The CASCADE cruise (R/V L’Atalante
March 2011) enabled to describe and quantify the impact of a major eastern storm on the transfer of sediment,
organic matter and trace metals from the shelf to the slope using fixed (coastal buoy, benthic station, mooring
lines) and mobile (gliders, ship) platforms. The cruise also evidenced the effect of an episode of deep open-sea
convection on nutrient and phytoplankton biomass and activity, bacterial diversity, a well as carbon
sequestration (including anthropogenic CO2). A comprehensive sampling of the water column for dissolved
metals (including mercury) was used to describe for the first time the distribution throughout the coastal and
open-sea domains.
Additional observations during the winter 2012 evidenced the interplay of very intense events of dense shelf
water cascading and open-sea convection. Based on the numerous observations collected during 2012 with the
support of the MOOSE network (atmospheric stations, river supply, particulate fluxes in the canyons and in the
basin), an annual budget and the potential of dense shelf water cascading on the export of trace metals from the
coastal zone to the deep basin is currently being assessed.
This work benefited from fundings provided the European projects HERMIONE and PERSEUS, and by
MISTRALS in 2011.
Temporal variability of
suspended
particulate
matter on the inner shelf,
and cross-slope spatial
distribution of particulate
matter during an eastern
storm on the Roussillon
shelf.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
20
REFERENCES
Auger P.A., F. Diaz, C. Ulses, C. Estournel, J. Neveux, F. Joux, M. Pujo-Pay, J. J. Naudin ( 2011) Functioning
of the planktonic ecosystem of the Rhone River plume (NW Mediterranean) during spring and its impact on the
carbon export: a field data and 3-D modeling combined approach. Biogeosciences, 8, 3231-3261.
Baudron P., Cockenpot S., Lopez F., Mayer A., Gilabert J., Garcia-Arostegui J.L., Radakovitch O., Claude C.
(2015) Radon, Radium and hydrodynamic modeling to assess Submarine Groundwater Discharge from an
anthropized watershed to a coastal lagoon (Mar Menor, SE Spain). Journal of Hydrology, 525, 55-71.
Bourrin F., G. Many, X. Durrieu de Madron, J. Martín, P.Puig, L. Houpert, P. Testor, S. Kunesch, K. Mahiouz,
L. Béguery (2015) Glider monitoring of shelf suspended particle dynamics and transport during storm and
flooding conditions. Continental Shelf Research, 109, 135-149.
Cathalot, C., Rabouille, C., Tisnerat-Laborde, N., Toussaint, F., Kerherve, P., Buscail, R., Loftis, K., Sun, M.Y.,
Tronczynski, J., Azoury, S., Lansard, B., Treignier, C., Pastor, L., Tesi, T. (2013) The fate of river organic
carbon in coastal areas: A study in the Rhone River delta using multiple isotopic (∆13C, ∆14C) and organic
tracers. Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta, 118, 33-55.
Cindrić A.-M., C. Garnier, B. Oursel, I. Pižeta, D. Omanović (2015) Evidencing the natural and anthropogenic
processes controlling trace metals dynamic in a highly stratified estuary: the Krka River estuary (Adriatic,
Croatia), Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2015, 94, 199-216.
Cockenpot S., C. Claude. O. Radakovitch (2015) Estimation of air-water gas exchange coefficient in shallow
lagoon based on 222Rn mass balance. Journal of Environmental Radioactivity. 143, 58-69.
Cossa D., C. Garnier, R. Buscail, F. Elbaz-Poulichet, N. Mikac, N. Patel-Sorrentino, E. Tessier, S. Rigaud, V.
Lenoble, C. Gobeil (2014). A Michaelis-Menten type equation for describing methylmercury dependence on
total mercury in aquatic sediments. Biogeochemistry, 119, 35-43 DOI 10.1007/s10533-013-9924-3.
Cossa D., X. Durrieu de Madron, J. Schäfer, L. Lanceleur, S. Guédron, R. Buscail, B. Thomas, J.C. Naudin. The
open sea as the main source of methylmercury in the water column of the Northwestern Mediterranean margin.
Geochimica et Cosmochimica Acta (submitted).
Dang D.H., J. Schäfer, C. Brach-Papa, V. Lenoble, G. Durrieu, L. Dutruch, J.-F. Chiffoleau, J.-L. Gonzalez, G.
Blanc, J.-U. Mullot, S. Mounier, C. Garnier (2015) Evidencing the impact of coastal contaminated sediments on
mussels through Pb stable isotopes composition, Environmental Science and Technology, DOI:
10.1021/acs.est.5b01893
Dang D.H., R.D. Evans, W. Wang, D. Omanovic, V. Lenoble, J.-U. Mullot, S. Mounier, C. Garnier. Uranium
and Molybdenum geochemistry and isotope fractionation in coastal sediments: the role of organic matter and
sulfur (in preparation)
Dang D.H., Tessier E., Lenoble V., Durrieu G., Omanovic D., Mullot J.-U., Pfeifer H.R., Mounier S., Garnier C.
(2014). Key parameters controlling arsenic dynamics in coastal sediments: an analytical and modeling approach.
Marine Chemistry, 161, 34-46.
Dang D.H., V. Lenoble, G. Durrieu, D. Omanović, J.-U. Mullot, S. Mounier, C. Garnier (2015) Seasonal
variations of coastal sedimentary trace metals cycling: Insight on the effect of manganese and iron
(oxy)hydroxides, sulphide and organic matter, Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2015, 92, 113-124.
Dang D.H., V. Lenoble, G. Durrieu, J.-U. Mullot, S. Mounier, C. Garnier (2014) Sedimentary dynamics of
coastal organic matter: An assessment of the pore water size/reactivity model by spectroscopic techniques,
Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 2014, 151, 100-111.
Dumas C., Aubert D., X. Durrieu de Madron, W. Ludwig, S. Heussner, N. Delsaut, C. Menniti, C. Sotin, R.
Buscail (2014) Storm-induced transfer of particulate trace metals to the deep-sea in the Gulf of Lions (NW
Mediterranean Sea). Environmental Geochemistry and Health, 36 (5), 995-1014.
Durrieu de Madron X., L. Houpert, P. Puig, A. Sanchez-Vidal, P. Testor, A. Bosse, C. Estournel, S. Somot, F.
Bourrin, M.N Bouin , M. Beauverger, L. Beguery, A. Calafat, M. Canals, L. Coppola, D. Dausse, F. D'Ortenzio,
J. Font, S. Heussner, S. Kunesch, D. Lefevre, H. Le Goff, J. Martín , L. Mortier, A. Palanques, P. Raimbault
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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(2013) Interaction of dense dense shelf water cascading and open-sea convection in the Northwestern
Mediterranean during winter 2012. Geophysical Research Letters, 40, 1379-1385.
Ferretto N., M. Tedetti, C. Guigue, S. Mounier, R. Redon, M. Goutx (2014). Identification and quantification of
known polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and pesticides in complex mixtures using fluorescence excitation–
emission matrices and parallel factor analysis. Chemosphere 107, 344-53. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.
2013.12.087.
Fraysse M., I. Pairaud, O.N. Ross, V.M. Faure, C. Pinazo (2014) Intrusion of Rhone River diluted water into the
Bay of Marseille: generation processes and impacts on ecosystem functioning. Journal of Geophysical Research,
doi: 10.1002/2014JC010022.
Fraysse M., Pinazo C., Faure V., Fuchs R., Lazzari P., Raimbault P., Pairaud I. (2013). Development of a 3D
coupled physical-biogeochemical model for the Marseille coastal area (NW Mediterranean Sea): What
complexity is required in the coastal zone? Plos One, DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0080012.
Guigue C., M. Tedetti, N. Ferretto, N. Garcia, L. Méjanelle, M. Goutx (2014). Spatial and seasonal variabilities
of dissolved hydrocarbons in surface waters from the Northwestern Mediterranean Sea: Results from one year
intensive sampling. Science of the Total Environment, 466-467, 650-662.
Lafabrie C, A.S. Hlaili, C. Leboulanger, I. Tarhouni, H. Ben Othman, M. Meddeb, I. Sahraoui, O. Pringault
Impact of contaminated sediment resuspension on a Mediterranean phytoplankton community (Bizerte lagoon,
Tunisia). (in preparation)
Many G., F. Bourrin, X. Durrieu de Madron, I. Pairaud, A. Gangloff, D. Doxaran, A. Ody, R. Verney, C.
Menniti1, D. Le Berre, M. Jacquet. Particle assemblage characterization in the Rhone River ROFI. Journal of
Marine systems (in press). doi: 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2015.12.010.
Martin J., X. Durrieu de Madron, P. Puig, F. Bourrin, A. Palanques, L. Houpert, M. Higueras, A. Sanchez-Vidal,
A.M. Calafat, M. Canals, S. Heussner, N. Delsaut, C. Sotin (2013) Sediment transport along the Cap de Creus
Canyon flank during a mild, wet storm. Biogeosciences, 10, 3221-3239.
Misson B., C. Garnier, B. Lauga, D.H. Dang, J.-F. Ghiglione, J.-U. Mullot, R. Duran, O. Pringault. Links
between chemical composition and prokaryotic diversity in the sediment of an anthropized marine coastal
environment (in preparation)
Omanović D., C. Garnier, I. Pižeta (2015) ProMCC – an all-in-one tool for trace metals complexation studies,
Marine Chemistry, 2015, 173, 25-39
Omanovic D., C. Garnier, K. Gibbon-Walsh, I. Pizeta. Electroanalysis in environmental monitoring: sensing the
trace metals - a mini review (in preparation)
Oursel B., C. Garnier, I. Pairaud, D. Omanović, G. Durrieu, A.D. Syakti, C. Le Poupon, B. Thouvenin, Y. Lucas
(2014). Behaviour and fate of urban particles in coastal waters: settling rate, size distribution and metals
contamination characterization. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 138, 14-26.
Oursel B., C. Garnier, M. Zebracki, G. Durrieu, I. Pairaud, D. Omanovi, D. Cossa, Y. Lucas (2014) Flood inputs
in a Mediterranean coastal zone impacted by a large urban area: Dynamic and fate of trace metals. Marine
Chemistry, 167 (2014) 44–56.
Oursel, B. C. Garnier, G. Durrieu, S. Mounier, D. Omanović, Y. Lucas (2013) Dynamic and fate of trace metals
in coastal zone impacted by large urban area diffusive inputs: the case of Marseille (France). Marine Pollution
Bulletin 69, 137-149.
Pairaud I., Répécaud C. Ravel, M., Fuchs R., Arnaud M., Champelovier A., Rabouille C., Bombled B., Toussaint
F., Garcia F., Raimbault P., Verney R., Meulé S., Gaufrès P., Bonnat A., Cadiou J.F. (2016). MesuRho :
plateforme instrumentée de suivi des paramètres environnementaux à l’embouchure du Rhône. Schmitt, F.G. et
Lefebvre A. (Eds.). Mesures haute résolution dans l'environnement marin côtier, Presses du CNRS.
Patel-Sorrentino N., E. Tessier, C. Garnier, D. Cossa Methylmercury production and mercury mobilization at the
water-sediment interface in a polluted Mediterranean coastal area: the Toulon Bay (France). (in preparation)
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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Pižeta I., S.G. Sander, R.J.M. Hudson, O. Baars, K.A. Barbeau, K.N. Buck, R.M. Bundy, G. Carrasco, P.L.
Croot, C. Garnier, L.J.A. Gerringa, M. Gledhill, K. Hirose, Y. Kondo, L.M. Laglera, J. Nuester, D. Omanović,
M.J.A. Rijkenberg, S. Takeda, B.S. Twining, M. Wells (2015) Interpretation of complexometric titration data:
An intercomparison of methods for estimating models of trace metal complexation by natural organic ligands,
Marine Chemistry, 2015, 173, 3-24.
Pougnet F., J. Schäfer, L. Dutruch, C. Garnier, E. Tessier, D.H. Dang, L. Lanceleur, J.U. Mullot., Lenoble, V.
Blanc G. (2014). Sources and historical record of tin and butyl-tin species in a Mediterranean bay (Toulon Bay;
France). Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(10), 6640-6651, doi 10.1007/s11356-014-2576-6.
Puig. P., X. Durrieu de Madron, J. Salat, K. Schroeder, J. Martín, A.P. Karageorgis, A.Palanques, F. Roullier,
J.L Lopez-Jurado, M. Emelianov; T. Moutin, L. Houpert (2013) Thick bottom nepheloid layers in the western
Mediterranean generated by deep dense shelf water cascading. Progress in Oceanography, 111, 1-23.
Ross O.N., Fraysse M., Pinazo C., Pairaud I. (2016). Impact of an intrusion by the Northern Current on the
biogeochemistry in the eastern Gulf of Lion, NW Mediterranean. Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science, 170, 1-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2015.12.022.
Tedetti M., P. Joffre, M. Goutx (2013). Development of a field-portable fluorometer based on deep-ultraviolet
LEDs for the detection of phenanthrene- and tryptophan-like compounds in natural waters. Sensors and
Actuators B: Chemical, 182 (C): 416-423.
Tedetti M., R. Longhitano, N. Garcia, G. Guigue, N. Ferretto, M. Goutx (2012). Fluorescence properties of
dissolved organic matter in coastal Mediterranean waters influenced by a municipal sewage effluent (Bay of
Marseilles, France). Environmental Chemistry, 9, 438-449.
Tessier E., C. Garnier, J.-U. Mullot, V. Lenoble, M. Arnaud, M. Raynaud, S. Mounier (2011) Study of the
spatial and historical distribution of sediment inorganic contamination in the Toulon bay (France). Marine
Pollution Bulletin, 62, 2075–2086.
Toussaint F., C. Rabouille, C. Cathalot, B. Bombled, A. Abchiche, O. Aouji, G. Buchholtz, A. Clemençon, N.
Geyskens, M. Répécaud, I. Pairaud, R. Verney, N. Tisnérat-Laborde (2014) A new device to follow temporal
variations of oxygen demand in deltaic sediments: the LSCE benthic station. Limnology and Oceanography :
Methods 12, 729-741.
Toussaint, F., N. Tisnerat-Laborde, C. Cathalot, R. Buscail, P. Kerhervé, C. Rabouille (2013), Depositional
processes of organic matter in the Rhone River delta (Gulf of Lions, France) traced by density fractionnation
coupled with ∆14C and ∆13C. Radiocarbon. 55, 920-931.
Verney R., C. Jany, B. Thouvenin, I. Pairaud, M. Vousdoukas, C. Pinazo, F. Ardhuin, P. Cann (2013) Sediment
transport in the bay of Marseille: role of extreme events. Proceedings of Coastal Dynamics'13, Arcachon,
France, 1811-1822.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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WP4 - Natural and anthropogenic air-sea interactions
WP leaders: K. Desboeuf (LISA), M. Mallet (LA), E. Pulido-Villena (MIO)
CALIBORON (Calibration of paleo-pH reconstruction technique based on boron isotopes in calcareous
species (corals and bivalves) from the Mediterranean Sea: quantification of surface water acidification
due to industrial era)
This project started in 2011 with the main contribution of Cécile Gonzalez (LSCE’s PhD student). The growth
rate of corals or Mediterranean bivalves cultured at various temperatures or pH conditions being low, the amount
of carbonated materials available for isotopic analysis is about 5-10 mg. So the first objective of CALIBORON
has been to revisit the LSCE’s chemistry (today adapted for 200-400 mg of coral: ~20 µg of B) to extend further
boron isotope studies for smaller samples. This work has been successfully completed and today we have the
ability to properly analyze 5 mg of carbonates concentrated at 50 ppm (~ 250 ng of B). Boron isotopes were
measured by using MC-ICPMS Neptuneplus at the LSCE with an accuracy of ± 0.3 ‰. To obtain this result, we
upgraded the production system of ultrapure water MQ which is now equipped with B-specific resin.
CARBORHONE (Carbon Cycle in the Rhône estuary and Gulf of Lions)
Four cruises have successfully been carried out during spring 2011, fall 2011, winter 2012 and summer 2012
onboard R.Vs. L’Europe and Téthys 2. During each cruise a grid of stations covering the Gulf of Lions has been
sampled with a CTD SBE 911/Rosette SBE 32. Stations 1 to 25 were covered during the spring cruise with 6
additional stations covered during the three other cruises. We acquired a comprehensive dataset in the entire
water column for the CO2 system parameters and ancillary data. Moreover, along the cruise tracks, the
continuous surface measurements of temperature, salinity, partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) and dissolved oxygen
concentrations provided a spatial coverage of the plume for these parameters.
During spring, the Rhône plume did not significantly influence the surface pCO2 distribution; pCO2 values were
below atmospheric equilibrium and in a similar range for the plume and surrounding surface waters. The fall
situation showed that the plume was characterized by lower pCO2 than in the surrounding surface waters with
values below atmospheric equilibrium thus increasing the CO2 sink compared to adjacent surface waters of the
Gulf of Lions. The winter situation reveals a strong impact of the temperature and of the circulation in the Gulf
of Lions with a westward transport of cooler surface waters from the plume to the western part of the Gulf of
Lions. The CO2 remaining strongly undersaturated compared to the atmosphere in these cooler surface waters.
The summer 2012 situation showed relatively higher surface pCO2 values at or above atmospheric equilibrium.
Overall these results suggest that the Rhône plume has the potential to influence the seasonal dynamics of air-sea
CO2 fluxes at regional scale. The seasonal cruises were not designed to capture extreme events but to study the
seasonality of air-sea CO2 fluxes; we therefore did not capture extreme conditions. However, the strongest
signals in pCO2 have always been observed at the mouth of the Delta. To assess this short-scale variability and
complete our seasonal dataset, we maintain our request for funding of a CARIOCA sensor to be installed on the
MESURHO Buoy in 2013/2014.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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MEDSEA-14C-MESO (14C incorporation techniques applied to a large mesocosm experiment in the bay
of Villefranche during the bloom period)
Funding provided by MISTRALS in 2013 allowed to perform complementary observation to those funded by the
European project MEDSEA. This work aimed at assessing the response of primary production and respiration of
plankton communities to increasing partial pressure of CO2 (pCO2) levels in Low Nutrient Low Chlorophyll
areas. Two mesocosm experiments were conducted in the Bay of Calvi (Corsica, France) and in the Bay of
Villefranche/mer in June-July 2012 and February-March 2013 under different trophic state, temperature and
irradiance condition. Nine mesocosms of 50 m3 were deployed for 20 and 11 days respectively, and were
subjected to seven pCO2 levels (3 control and 6 elevated levels). The metabolism of the community was studied
using several methods based on in situ incubations (oxygen light-dark, 18O and 14C uptake). Increasing pCO2 had
no significant effect on gross primary production, net community production, particulate and dissolved carbon
production, as well as on community respiration. These two mesocosms experiments, the first performed under
low nutrient and low chlorophyll, suggest that in large areas of the ocean, increasing pCO2 levels may not lead to
a significant change of plankton metabolic rates or the biological carbon pump.
CHIPIE (Evolution of the behavior of chemical elements with biogeochemical interest (N, P, Fe etc.) and
carbon at the atmosphere-ocean interface under changing environmental conditions)
The main goal of CHIPIE (co-funded by MISTRALS/MERMEX and EMERGENCE-UPMC) is to quantify by
the mean of well controlled experiments conducted in clean room, the evolution of the behavior of chemical
elements with biogeochemical interest (N, P, Fe etc.) and carbon at the atmosphere-ocean interface in a context
of evolving environmental conditions (ocean acidification, increase in temperature). The technical approach
proposed is the use of large seawater volumes collected in ultra clean conditions at contrasted time of the year in
the bay of Villefranche/mer when biological activity, chemical composition, organic material (dissolved and
particulate) are different. Each time (3 experiments took place using seawater sampled during winter mixing
(Feb. 2014), post-bloom (May 2013) and end of the stratification period (Oct. 2013), atmospheric deposition was
simulated on top of those large tanks (300L; 0.2 µm filtered seawater) and 2 scenario of ocean acidification were
considered (present condition and 1250 ppm = highest scenario used during MedSEA). Nutrients were measured
with nano-molar techniques (for phosphate, nitrite, nitrate and iron) during one week following the seeding. The
formation of organic aggregates was also studied, in particular the TEP (transparent exopolymeric particles) that
are precursors of the large carbon aggregates that constitute the large pool of particulate organic carbon sinking
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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to the deep ocean. Optical measurements were performed to quantify the evolution of amount and quality of
particulate matter and CDOM. Preliminary results indicate no change in nitrate dynamic as a function of pH or
season but strong effects were observed for DFe. The first step of the work was an important technological
development to adapt commercial 300L PE tanks in order to conduct those kinetics experiments in the clean
room. The interest to work with those tanks is that the vertical dimension (sinking of particulate matter) is taken
into account. The development concern the elaboration of an integrated sampling (height = 1 m), the setting up
of a turbulence system that mimic the in situ conditions, the control of the temperature conditions and the setting
up of a system to collect the exported material. The CHIPIE experiments were conducted in abiotic condition.
Those experiments will be determinant for a part of the work that is proposed in the frame of the PEACETIME
campaign during which 6 of those mesocosms will be used to conduct seeding experiments modifying both pH
and temperature to follow the impacts on biota in 3-4 ecoregions of the Mediterranean Sea (as defined in WP5).
SAM (Sources of marine aerosol in the Mediterranean atmosphere)
Marine aerosol particles contribute significantly to the global aerosol load and have an important impact on both
the Earth's albedo, climate and air quality. Our ability to understand sources and processes occurring to the
marine aerosols in the Mediterranean Sea is still limited, in particular with regards to the organic fraction. The
ANR SAM project investigated the fine marine aerosol production, properties and chemical composition in the
western Mediterranean region, based on experiments on real sea waters samples performed in controlled and
semi-controlled environments (laboratory and mesocosms). SAM provided estimations of the marine aerosol
physical and chemical properties, as a function of the seawater composition and photochemical conditions. The
project investigated the primary fraction of the organic aerosol (POA), its photochemical aging (Oxidized
Primary Organic Aerosol, OPOA) and the secondary fraction of the organic aerosol (SOA).
Within SAM project we characterized primary Sea Spray Aerosol (SSA), Secondary Organic Aerosol (SOA)
formation and volatile organic compound (VOC) emissions in a mesocosm experiment performed in May 2013
at the Marine Station STARESO in western Corsica. We followed both water and air physico-chemical
characteristics of three mesocosms filled with seawater. The preliminary results evidence a weak correlation of
the organic fraction of primary sea aerosol with Chl-a, virus, bacteria and TEPs. Hygroscopicity studies
suggested a highly enriched organic fraction in the small particle range (below 100 nm) and a reduced cloud
condensation nuclei activity in the same size range for all three mesocosms and type of waters. VOCs speciation
and new particle formation was followed on-line in the emerged parts of the mesocosms. While VOC emissions
were enhanced during and after the phytoplankton bloom, new particle formation did not clearly correlate with
the enhanced biological activity.
Laboratory experiments (April-May 2014) investigated the photochemical aging of sea spray aerosol (Oxidized
Primary Organic Aerosol, OPOA) and the secondary fraction of the organic aerosol (SOA). Data are currently
under evaluation.
SUNMEX (Potential effect of aerosol and tropospheric ozone attenuation on marine ecosystems and
seagrass rarefaction)
The scattering and absorption of radiation by aerosols in the atmosphere attenuate the intensity of solar radiation
available at sea surface and water column. In case of significant emissions such as those encountered in episodes
of Saharan dust, the radiation attenuation can be the basis of a decrease in photosynthesis (Mallet et al., 2009).
Although it has been little studied so far, it is likely that aerosol emissions from fires, combustion of fuels
episodes of fossil attenuate UV and visible radiation reaching the Earth's surface and affect both phytoplankton
growth and the intensity of photochemistry in the marine surface layer. In addition, natural and anthropogenic
aerosol deposition may stimulate or inhibit primary and secondary productions. These processes are certainly
exacerbated near urban megacities in the Mediterranean because of the intensity of radiation, the summer dust
episodes and regular anthropogenic aerosols inputs. Solar radiations and Aerosol impacts on Mediterranean
marine coastal waters are studied by monitoring aerosol optical depth (with a CIMEL photometer and
UV/Visible radiations in the atmosphere and in the water column as well as, CDOM, marine particles and
Chlorophyll a fluorescence in Marseille Bay by using a bio-optical mooring line deployed. All the parameters
are measured continuously and the data are sent by GPRS and available on a web site (http://www.com.univmrs.fr/ssc/info/sunmed/?page_id=26).
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
26
Temporal variability of surface irradiance ratios measured at solar noon at the SOLEMIO station in the Bay of
Marseille
PHOTOMED (Metabolic and structural changes of the bacterial community in response to the phototransformations of dissolved and particulate organic matter in the Mediterranean Sea)
Due to high solar radiation, Mediterranean Sea is the place of intense photochemical transformations of both
DOM and POM. The expected increase of thermal stratification in 21st century Mediterranean Sea should
reinforce the photochemical processes at the surface. Understanding of current and expected effects of solar
radiation on DOM and POM and their consequences on the bacterial metabolism and diversity is a major goal
for the biogeochemical cycles studies in this area. In the PHOTOMED project, we studied the effects of solar
radiation on the alteration of contrasted DOM and POM originating from the Rhône River (i.e., terrestrial origin)
and a phytoplanktonic culture (Emiliana huxleyi) (i.e., recent biological origin) and the consequences of these
alterations on the metabolism and the diversity of the marine bacteria using this organic matter.
Photodegradation of DOM from the Rhone River results in contrasting effects on both bacterial activity and
diversity: while a stimulation and a change in diversity were observed in March, no effects on both parameters
were measured in June. Photodegradation of phytoplanktonic DOM from culture showed a decrease in bacterial
activity and a modification in bacterial structure.
Solar radiations induce oxygen transfer of dead
phytoplankton cells attached to the bacteria. This
oxidation causes a limitation of the growth of bacteria
and the biodegradation of phytoplankton cells
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
27
In a kinetic study of the transfer of photochemical processes from senescent phytoplanktonic cells to the attached
bacteria, we observed a very good correlation between photooxidation state of vaccenic acid (fatty-acid specific
to Gram-negative bacteria) and chlorophyll concentration (photosensitizer), while vaccenic acid of bacteria
irradiated without phytodetritus appeared to be unaffected by photochemical processes. These results confirm the
existence of an important oxidative stress in the bacteria attached to phytodetritus.
Very intense autoxidative degradation of some lipidic components (unsaturated sterols and fatty-acids) of Rhone
River particles occurred in seawater and not in freshwater. This induction of autoxidative processes was
attributed to radical cleavage of photochemically-produced hydroperoxides (formed on land during the
senescence of higher plants) catalyzed by some metal ions released by the particles during the increase in
salinity.
PARTICULE (Impact of anthropogenic particles on coastal zones in PACA area)
The Mediterranean Sea is submitted to a continuous atmospheric flux of particles coming from anthropogenic
activities as well as to pulsed fluxes of particles coming particularly from the Sahara Desert and forest fires. The
flux and impact of biomass burning aerosols has so far been poorly explored although its importance as a source
of dFe and P to the surface ocean has been recognized. Generally speaking, the combustion of organic matter
releases to the atmosphere diverse organic compounds such as hydrocarbons, organic acids, ceto-acids which
effect on marine ecosystems remains unknown. Since five decades, anthropogenic activities have released into
the atmosphere macro and micro-debris made up by 40-80% of plastics mainly derived from commercial or
industrial packaging. Plastics also contain phthalates,which are semi-volatile organic pollutants very widespread
in the environment in urban areas, but can be even detected in remote oceanic areas. Nevertheless, their impacts
on marine ecosystem and their biological transformation remain poorly known. The main goals of PARTICULE
are to quantify the atmospheric flux and the fate in the water column of particles derived from plastic waste and
forest fires in coastal sites in the PACA regions.
The PARTICULE project concerned the acquisition of a sampling and treatment device for both atmospheric
and marine samples. The equipment was acquired with funding from the APOG Region PACA, the Labex OTMed, MERMEX-MISTRALS and the MIO. Additional funding was further obtained for functioning costs
mainly from MERMEX and OT-Med. The equipment acquisition operation ended in 2014.
The research activities related to the phthalates started early 2014 under the frame of the PhD work of A.
Paluselli. Aerosol sampling is being conducted continuously at the Endoume station. Samples will be analyzed
for organic compounds including phthalates, organic acids and hydrocarbons. Simultaneously, UV/PAR
irradiances in the lower atmosphere and within the water column are measured at limited distance in the
Marseille's Bay. The first action of the phthalate part of the PARTICULE project focused on the improvement of
the methodological method for phthalate analyses. The article related to this method is now in preparation and
will be submitted for publication by January 2016.
A one-year survey of the stoichiometric ratios of organic matter in atmospheric deposition started in January
2015. First data show high and variable atmospheric fluxes of dissolved organic carbon and phosphorus. When
extrapolated to the basin scale, annual atmospheric fluxes of DOC are in the same order of magnitude than river
fluxes highlighting the importance of atmospheric deposition as a source of organic carbon to the surface
Mediterranean Sea. Simultaneously, a marine survey is being conducted at the ANTARES marine site for
determining bacterial activity and stoichiometric ratios of dissolved organic matter in surface profiles.
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MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
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WP5 - Marine regionalisation planning
WP leaders: J.O. Irisson (LOV), C. Figuières (LAMETA)
REGIONALISATION
This work was done in the frame of PERSEUS FP7 and MERMEX. In recent decades, it has been found useful
to partition the ocean using the concept of ecoregionalisation, whereby within each region it is assumed that
environmental conditions and species associations are distinguishable and unique. Indeed, all partitions of the
ocean that have been proposed aimed to delineate the main oceanographical, ecological patterns and
discontinuities in order to provide a geographical framework for ecological studies and management purposes.
The aim of the present work is to integrate and process existing environmental data and biological observations
(from phytoplankton to top predators) in order to define and characterize the Mediterranean Sea ecosystems. The
first step was to gather a comprehensive database informed on environmental conditions (22 variables),
biological observations (more than 1500 species from plankton to top predators) and human pressure (Halpern et
al., 2008) from online database, cruises and published articles. Based on a novel multi-clustering methodology
and on environmental niche modeling, a two levels partition of the Mediterranean Sea the: biogeochemical
regions (biotopes) and the ecoregions (associated biocenosis) are proposed. This work allows us to characterize
the main environmental divisions of the basin as well as the biodiversity and mean organisms size gradient at
each trophic level. Finally, an ecological characterization of each ecoregion is proposed along with a
perturbation index based on 13 human pressures.
This resulted in the identification of 63 biogeochemical regions: 12 for the epipelagic, 12 for the mesopelagic, 13
for the bathypelagic and 26 for the seafloor. A longitudinal pattern is evident but significant changes in
environmental conditions are allow to cluster the sea into 3D biotopes. The strongest frontiers of all pelagic
layers are distributed near the Gibraltar strait, the Sicilian strait, and between the Ionian Sea and the Levantine
Sea. Also, marginal seas such as the Adriatic Sea, Aegean Sea and Ligurian Sea are systematically delineated
from the occidental and oriental basin in each layer. These significant geographical changes highlight wellknown local/regional specificities driven by the continental morphology, the atmospheric forcing and the
hydrological/oceanographical dynamics. For instance the contour of each division show a high similarity with
the main circulation from the bottom to the surface. These spatial modifications of environmental conditions can
thus be linked to the surface climate forcing combined with time of water retention. Therefore, each
biogeochemical region is characterized by homogenous environmental conditions that are significantly different
from surrounding regions. Each biogeochemical region represents a characteristic biotope (pelagic / benthic
habitat) for marine species.
Based on the spatial distribution of four trophic community and environmental variables, the distributions of
marine ecosystems of the Mediterranean Sea have been captured. Each ecoregion detected represents a
characteristic species association from primary producers to top predators (i.e., biocenosis) forced by similar
environmental conditions (i.e., biotopes).
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
30
Ecoregions of the Mediterranean combining
the distribution of 11 physical and
biogeochemical parameters and the
modeled distributions of 1299 species, by
trophic level, and cluster them
The map of the 25 ecoregions delineates well the characteristics of open seas and more coastal features, such as
the Northern current or the Levantine basin, as well as known ecosystems, such as the Gulf of Lions, and the
southern area off Tunisia including Gulf of Gabes. More surprisingly, several ecoregions are distributed as
boundaries of bigger and well-known systems. This result confirmed the assumption of Van der Spoel et al.
(1996) and Odum (1974) that boundaries between two main ecosystems need to be considered as an ecosystem
as well. Indeed, ecotones (i.e., boundary between two ecosystems) are characterized by a trade off between
species associations originated from adjacent ecosystems. The global distribution of the ecoregions reveals a
coherent spatial framework at the exception of the Aegean Sea. Indeed, this particular sea shows a patchy
distribution of the clusters. This could reflect high heterogeneity of marine habitats likely influenced by inputs
from the Black Sea. Indeed, owing to the scarce resolution of the data used, sub-mesoscale and local features
cannot be captured and thus can bias the methodology in some specific areas.
Maps of human pressures (climate
change,
fisheries,
pollution,
shipping) on ecoregions
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
31
Then, mean anthropogenic impacts have been computed for each of the 25 ecoregions identified in the
Mediterranean Sea. Overall, climate change pressures are high everywhere with a marked gradient from west to
east. Pollution and fisheries pressures are more localized in coastal areas and in the western basin. A cumulated
pressure approach shows that coastal areas appear as more pressured than open sea areas both in northern and
southern parts. Hot spots of potential perturbed ecosystem are very localized and encompass: the AlgeroTunisian coast, the Adriatic Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Gulf of Gabes, the Catalan coasts, the Gulf of Lions and
the Egyptian coasts.
Interactive maps are available at the following web link : http://perseus.obs-vlfr.fr/
PLANKMED
The next step of these approaches is to study the evolution of the structure of the ecosystems, in terms of
displacement of biogeochemical regions and ecoregions, of provision of ecosystem services, of biodiversity
distribution, etc. The PLANKMED project tackled some of these questions for plankton. In addition to studying
the impact of climate change on plankton communities, the second goal of PLANKMED is to take in account the
dynamics of the ocean (in particular ocean currents) for the delineation of regions.
Past and future distributions of a planktonic
copepod (Pseudocalanus elongatus) using
ensemble modeling the evolution of the habitat of
this species at the end of the century following
the A2 scenario. It shows a reduction of suitable
habitat to the north and west of the
Mediterranean.
The impact of different climate change scenarios on the potential distribution of zooplankton species has been
estimated using niche modeling. The habitat of more than a hundred of the most common copepod species
recorded in the Mediterranean sea has been estimated using ten different ecological niche models: Generalized
Linear Model (GLM), Generalized Additive Model (GAM), Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS),
Flexible Discriminant Analysis (FDA), Random Forest (RF), Classification Tree Analysis (CTA), Boosted
Regression Trees (BRT), Artificial Neural Networks (ANN), Maximum entropy (Maxent), and Surface Range
Envelope (SRE). Future environmental conditions were estimated from the outputs of the NEMO-MED12
regional ocean model, considering three greenhouse gas emission scenario (SRES scenarios of IPCC: A2, A1B,
B1), and different boundary forcings for surface fluxes, river runoffs, and Atlantic hydrography for the ocean
model (Adloff et al., 2015). Our ensemble approach, including several niche models, climate scenarios, and
ocean model configurations, aimed to quantifying the uncertainty in the predicted shifts in zooplankton
assemblages. For Mediterranean copepods, our results indicated that climate change would induce species
replacement with loss in species richness (less species but mainly new ones). However, the higher the change in
species richness, the more uncertain (higher standard deviation among projections). This uncertainty in future
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
32
projections was quantified using ANOVA. Our results confirm, for the pelagic realm, that the choice of the niche
model is the prime factor driving uncertainties in predictions of species habitat suitabilities and distributions
under climate change scenarios. A major dichotomy is evidenced between forecasts based on presence-only SRE
model and the ones coming from correlative models. This strengthens the view that ensemble forecasting of
different niche models’ outputs should always be carried out after a careful examination of their similarities. We
also corroborate to the view that presence-only and presence-absence methodologies do not approximate the
same portion of the species’ niches. Therefore they should be treated as different strategies whose interpretation
will depend on a clear understanding of both the species’ ecological properties and the data sets’ characteristics.
The next step of this work is to use the projected species habitat to estimate the impact of climate change on
different facet of the planktonic diversity: the phylogenetic and the functional diversity. Phylogenetic diversity is
estimated from the phylogenetic relations among the species. Functional diversity is estimated from the species
functional traits. These traits have been recently described for Mediterranean copepod (Benedetti et al, 2015).
For that, we gathered information on the functional traits of the most representative copepod species in the
Mediterranean Sea. Our database includes 191 species described by 7 traits encompassing diverse ecological
functions: minimal and maximal body length, trophic group, feeding type, spawning strategy, diel vertical
migration and vertical habitat. Cluster analysis in the functional trait space revealed that Mediterranean copepods
can be separated into groups with distinct ecological roles. The biogeography of these functional groups, as well
as the biogeography of the functional traits, has been described for present time conditions and will be used to
estimate how climate change would impact them.
Identification of functional groups among the 191 most representative copepod species of the Mediterranean Sea
from hierarchical clustering on the first four axes of a multivariate correspondence analysis (MCA) based on
four functional traits (class of maximum body length, binary trophic group, feeding type and spawning strategy).
Depending on the cutting level, two, three or six clusters could be identified. The first level distinguished species
according to trophic group (carnivore vs. non-carnivore). Among non-carnivore species, the second level
discriminates broadcasters vs. sac-spawners. Then, each of these groups can be divided into two subgroups with
different size and/or feeding type. Since higher cut levels could not be clearly related to functional traits, six
functional groups were retained.
In parallel to this work, a new methodology for taking into account ocean dynamics and its constraints on
dispersal in niche modeling has been developed.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
33
Source, sink and corridor zones in the Mediterranean
Sea (a), suitable habitat for the copepod Temora
longicornis (b) and colonisable habitat taking into
account Lagrangian advection. An average advection
time of three months has been used.
Indeed, in marine environments, Lagrangian transport by currents has always been neglected when modeling the
suitable habitat of a species using ecological niche models. Our aim was to develop a new methodology, taking
into account Lagrangian transport into species distribution models. The Lagrangian approach consists in
following passive particles representing plankton. From their trajectories connectivity matrices are computed
based on hydrodynamical constraints. Firstly, the matrices have been used to assess patterns of connectivity in
the Mediterranean Sea, defining source, sink and corridor zones. Then, connectivity matrices have been used to
weight the suitable habitat of planktonic species, in order to assess the colonisable habitat. These promising
results will provide insight for future work on plankton niche modeling.
ICOCE
The action ICOCE is dedicated to assess the potential impacts of climate change on the NW Mediterranean
marine biodiversity, with a focus on benthic species. To achieve this goal, a strategy was developed combining
monitoring of stressors (warming, acidification, deoxygenation) in coastal waters and shifts in species
geographical distribution and migratory patterns, numerical simulations and laboratory experiments for key
species. A focus was first made on the risks of mortality outbreaks in coastal ecosystems with special emphasis
on coralligenous communities of the NW Mediterranean Sea. Based on positive modeled temperature anomalies,
maps of impacts/risks for the conservation of model species were obtained by combining projected temperature
conditions from models hindcasts (MARS3D-MENOR and NEMO-Med8) with information on observed
temperatures, population locations and thermal stressors (Pairaud et al., 2014). Then, the use of NEMO-Med8
IPCC scenario A2 provided temperature projections and areas of potential warming affecting populations. Most
of the NW Mediterranean Sea was found affected, resulting in an expected death or vertical migration pattern of
the populations. Long temperature time series from the T-MedNet database (http://www.t-mednet.org/) were
used to correct the temperature provided by the model hindcasts and the scenario along the coast. The chosen
approach has a strong potential and could be used on a wider variety of species.
MESI (Multivariate Ecosystem Services Index)
An interdisciplinary workshop that aimed at bringing together different disciplines – including, but not limited
to, biology, ecology and social sciences – to interact about the issue of marine ecosystem services has been held
in Villefranche/mer on the 26-27 November 2015 (http://mesi.obs-vlfr.fr/workshop/). A first quantification of
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
34
ecosystem services in the surface layer of the pelagic realm of the Mediterranean has been made through
personal interviews and an on-line survey (http://mesi.obs-vlfr.fr/). The goal was to get a first, synthetic view of
ecosystem services levels across the whole basin, and the results enabled to estimate the contribution of various
functional groups to relevant ecosystem services.
REFERENCES
Benedetti F., S. Gasparini, S.D. Ayata (2015) Identifying copepod functional groups from species functional
traits. Journal of Plankton Research. 0 (0), 1-8, doi:10.1093/plankt/fbv096
Benedetti F., Guilhaumon F., Adloff F., Ayata S.D. How uncertain are shifts in zooplankton assemblages under
climate change ? (in preparation for Ecography)
Bensoussan N., I. Pairaud, P. Garreau, S. Somot, J. Garrabou (2013). Multidisciplinary approach to assess
potential risk of mortality of benthic ecosystems facing climate change in the NW Mediterranean Sea,
OCEANS’13 MTS/IEEE Technical Program, 23-26, September 2013, San Diego, USA. 6 pp.
Figuières C., J-O. Irisson, G. Reygondeau, M-N. Pi Alperin, J-M. Salles, M. Sy. A Multivariate Ecosystem
Services Index (MESI) for the epipelagic Mediterranean Sea. (in preparation)
Pairaud I.L., N. Bensoussan, P. Garreau, V. Faure, J. Garrabou. Impacts of climate change on coastal benthic
ecosystems: assessing potential risk of mortality outbreaks under thermal stress in the NW Mediterranean coastal
areas (2014). Ocean Dynamics, 64(1), 103-115, doi 10.1007/s10236-013-0661-x.
Reygondeau G., C. Guieu, J-O Irisson, F. Benedetti, S-D Ayata, S. Gasparini, P. Koubbi. Biogeochemical
regions of the Mediterranean Sea: an objective multidimensional and multivariate environmental approach,
Progress in Oceanography. (in revision)
Reygondeau, G., C. Albouy, T. Hattab, J.O. Irisson, F. Benedetti, C Mocquet, A-E Nieblas, S. Gasparini, C.
Guieu, P. Koubbi. Distribution of the Mediterranean marine ecosystems and potential human associated threats.
(in preparation)
Reygondeau, G., C. Albouy, F. Benedetti, T. Hattab, C. Guieu, J.O. Irisson, S. Gasparini, P. Koubbi. Emergent
ecological pattern of the Mediterranean sea : a multitrophic approach. (in preparation)
3.4 MODELING GROUP ACTIVITIES
Leader: I. Pairaud (LERPAC)
Aim - A modeling-group was structured as a transversal axis of the program. The first task was dedicated for the
identification of the modeling advances achieved during the first years of the Mermex program (increase in
models’ complexity, coupling of the different compartments, new types of models and configurations, validation
of the simulations). This work resulted in the writing of a synthesis included in the MERMEX review
(MERMEX Group, 2011). A first Mermex-modeling group meeting was held in 2011. Then, a second meeting
focusing on physical-biogeochemical coupled models was held in December 2013. This was an opportunity to
bring together the modelers from the different institutes working on the different actions of Mermex on the
Mediterranean Sea. Presentations and discussions focused on the state of the art of modeling activities with
regards to Mermex unanswered questions and on the future model developments. Several links appeared
between the activities within the Mermex framework and the developments emerging from other programs
(Hymex, Simed, COMODO and AMICO, PERSEUS among others). An important gap was identified
concerning the availability of biogeochemical data spatial and temporal resolution. As it is very important to
enhance our ability to reproduce the biogeochemical functioning of the Mediterranean Sea at the regional scale,
a MOOSE representative (L. Mortier) was invited to strengthen the link between modelers and field researchers.
A mailing list was also established to send all the information associated with modeling activities to the group
(open calls, research and job opportunities, dates of meetings,…).
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
35
Results - During the past years, modeling activities came in support to observational activities, both for guiding
the sampling strategies and for process studies (in particular through WP1-DEWEX, WP3RIVERS/C3A/CASCADE and WP2-SPECIMED actions). Field data and satellite observations from DEWEX
and RIVERS projects were used for model/observation comparison, and for the calibration of coupled or forced
multi-compartments models (including hydrodynamics, sedimentary processes, biogeochemistry and chemistry).
Several issues were (or are being) investigated with these models, among which cascading and dense water
formation influence on ecosystem, impact of climate change on ecosystem, influence of extreme events on the
sedimentary processes, characterization and quantification of the carbon export, or the amount of pollution
transferred from a urban city to the sea. New kinds of models emerged for the High Trophic Levels (ecological
models, ecological niche models, bio-energy models). Listing of the different model configurations showed the
strong diversity of the models used. This allows comparing the differing strategies and numerical schemes, and
the influence of mesh refinement from basin scale to regional and very local scale configurations. Hence it
should be noted that Low Trophic Level models are very difficult to validate but a strong effort is presently
being done in order to improve model skill assessment by the use of rigorous statistical tools for comparison
with data and by the extension of these comparisons to several state variables of the model (in addition to
chlorophyll concentrations).
The use of data collected in the framework of MERMEX or MOOSE for comparison with model and toward
process-oriented studies will increase in the second phase of the program. More interactions with the MOOSE
observational community will also improve the spatial and temporal cover of data needed for model validation.
Specific experiments are needed in order to enhance the models’ ability to mimic the ecosystems’ behavior
(including laboratory or mesocosm experiments), and the MERMEX modeling community will play a role in
their definition.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
36
Interactions with other communities (HYMEX, CHARMEX mainly) are at play at the basin scale in the
framework of the transversal SIMED action involving hydrodynamics, biogeochemistry and air-sea interactions.
This project is supported by the HYMEX, MERMEX and CHARMEX programs. The MERMEX modeling
group also took part to the integrated regional climate modeling workshop organized by Mistrals in early 2015,
as the use of coupled ocean-atmosphere model scenarios allowed to study the response of pelagic and benthic
ecosystems to climate change.
3.5 INDICATORS
Publications in peer-review journals
National/International meetings
Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
Submitted
In preparation
Number
4
1
13
30
21
4
7
30
Year
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Number
1
2
4
12
16
42
29
29
Total
110
Total
135
Masters
Ph.D Thesis
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Number
3
5
5
11
5
3
Year
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Number
1
5
7
14
5
Total
32
Total
32
4. RESSOURCES
4.1 HUMAN RESOURCES
Category
C / EC
CDD
Post Docs
Ph Ds
Masters
Number
135
15
16
49
32
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
37
4.2 FINANCIAL ALLOCATIONS
MISTRALS Fundings
Total
Period
Funding
(K€)
2010
50
2011
200
2012
213
2013
314
2014
350
2015
253
Total
Man
Months
20
264
601
688
508
322
WP1
Man
Months
WP2
Man
Months
180
200
120
100
47
69
82
82
60
WP3
Man
Months
20
169
200
183
125
52
WP4
Man
Months
WP5
Man
Months
48
118
188
146
100
5
20
18
10
Total MISTRALS funding (2010-2015) : 1494 K€
Other fundings
European
programs
HERMIONE
MEDSEA
INCOMMET
PERSEUS
Period
Total funding
2008 - 2011
2011 - 2014
2012 - 2014
2011 - 2015
ANR
programs
SAM
COSTAS
ECOGELY
MATUGLI
RISCO
AMORAD
MARSECO
2011 - 2013
2010 - 2013
2011 - 2013
2015 - 2017
2013 - 2016
2013 - 2019
2009 - 2013
National programs
Period
EC2CO MASSILIA
EQUIPEX NAOS
LABEX OT-MED
SIMED 2
EC2CO - TUCPA
ECOPELGOL
PHC TASSILI
COMETALG
2010 - 2011
2012 - 2014
2014
2011 - 2013
2013 - 2014
2012 - 2015
2016-2018
2014 - 2015
Regional programs
Period
RECIF PRADO
JELLYWATCH
EMIBIOS (FRB)
MED-ICCBIO
CHIPIE
2010 - 2012
2010 - 2013
2011 - 2013
2011 - 2012
2012 - 2015
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
Period
Funding
(K€)
244
40
500
720
Funding
(K€)
360
750
500
300
430
1050
176.5
Funding
(K€)
51
200
62
80
32
650
60
4
Funding
(K€)
82
150
52
202
10
38
AMIDEX
OSR4
University
GIRAC-PACA
CARTOCHIM
CARTOC
COMMET
METOPHYTO
PARTICULE
PREVENT-A3
ENVIMED
programs
MENAPHY
TRACOMED
COMECOM
SOMBA
COZOMED
HYDROGENCONNECT
TANGRAM
2013 - 2015
2015 - 2018
2010-2015
2008-2012
2008-2012
2012-2014
2014-2015
2015-2016
2013-2014
2015-2017
Period
2013 - 2014
2014 - 2015
2014-2016
2014 - 2015
2015 - 2016
2015 - 2016
2015 - 2016
400
34
174
500
177
121
15.5
7
25
131.5
Funding
(K€)
17
17
24
18
18
15
5
Total co-funding (2010-2015) : 8081 K€
4.3 ACCESS TO NATIONAL OR INTERNATIONAL INFRASTRUCTURES
Infrastructure type
TGIR
SOERE
INST. PARK
BDD
Name
FLOTTE
MOOSE
DT-INSU, CETSM
SEDOO, CORIOLIS, SISMER, LEFE-CYBER
Number of cruises on coastal vessels (N/O Thetys II, N/O L’Europe) : 27
Number of days : 197
Number of cruises on large vessels (N/O Suroit, N/O Atalante) : 3
Number of days : 64
4.4 STATES OF SPENDING AND PENDING APPLICATIONS
The last funding of 253 K€ that run on the period July 2015 - June 2016 will be completely spent by mid-2016.
They will be used to finalize most of the actions carried out during the first phase of MERMEX (2010-2015).
Additional funding will be needed for 2016, which is a transition phase, to (i) promote the activities of the first
phase, in particular with the two special issues in Journal of Geophysical Research (WP1), and Progress in
Oceanography (WP2/WP3/WP4), (ii) to continue the funding of PEACETIME, one of the three actions of the
second phase that was initiated and benefited from funding in 2015 for the preparation on the on-board
experiments (microcosms), and (iii) to fund meetings to finalize the implementation of 2 of the 3 actions of the
second phase. The funding for the second phase is presented in the prospective document.
Present co-funding:
One ANR project AMORAD (2014-2019) on the improvement of prediction models on the dispersion and
evaluation of the impact of radionuclides in the marine environment) will contribute to action on the dynamics of
contaminants in the coastal zone of the second phase on the dynamics of contaminants. The funding for the
Mediterranean study area (Gulf of Lions) is primarily dedicated to the financing of 4 PhD and 1 post-doc.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
39
One ANR proposal PEACETIME on process studies at the air-sea interface after dust deposition in the
Mediterranean Sea (42 months, 750 K€ resquested) is pending. It will provide cofunding to the action of the
second phase on air-sea interactions together with MISTRALS (285 K€ requested shared between MERMEX
and CHARMEX), CNRS-TOSCA + LEFE (143 K€) at the national level. Complementary fundings are also
requested by foreign partners to their institutions (70 k€), 6 PhD thesis are identified (2 already started)..
One H2020 European project (MedOS) an the integration of the Mediterranean Sea observing systems is in
preparation (submission for the first selection in February 2016). It will be dedicated and should provide support
of the observation at sea for the action of the second phase on the impacts of Levantine Intermediate Water
formation on the Eastern Mediterranean ecosystems.
4.5 SW(OT) ANALYSIS
STRENGTHS
●
Federation of a research community around the integrated study of marine ecosystems. Optimization of
means.
●
Progress on many fronts: Synergy despite the initial fragmentation of actions and setting up of successful
integrated actions (e.g., DEWEX) .
●
Acquisition of a large set of data through the use of different types of platforms (ships, moorings, floats,
gliders, in situ and laboratory experiments).
●
Strong synergy with national and international projects (NAOS, MOOSE, GMMC, FP7-PERSEUS, FP7MEDSEA, HYMEX ...).
●
Control and use of advanced methodologies (gliders, AUVs, Scanfish, in situ profilers, moorings, etc.) and
development of innovative methodologies (PVM, benthic station).
●
theoretical developments in statistical (ecoregionalisation) and end-to-end modeling. Reduction of modeling
uncertainties coupled with high resolution.
●
Societal action: Contribution to the implementation of the Framework Directive on the Marine Environment
(MSFD) and implementation of coordinated actions by an economist. Contribution to the ARP MERMED.
WEAKNESSES
●
Complexity of data banking data due to the lack of connection between historical databases (SISMER,
CORIOLIS), biogeochemical (CYBER) and MISTRALS (SEEDOO). Labor shortage that resulted in a slow
transfer of data toward data bank.
●
Difficulty to extend the work to the entire Mediterranean: implementation through collaborations on specific
topics (convection, acidification, MSFD, coastal pollution).
●
Multiplicity of environments, disciplines and scales: Limitation to certain compartments (preference given
to pelagic compared to the benthic domain).
●
The involvement of the oceanographic research community in a survey about societal needs. The setup of
deep collaborations between oceanography and humanities researchers. Despite the general interest and the
existence of obvious topics of collaboration, the requirements of "disciplinary" research always seem to take
precedence over inter-disciplinary collaborations. Even at a small scale, inter-disciplinary studies could not
be set up. In addition, interested and adventurous students with whom to form an inter-disciplinary research
group proved to be too hard to find.
MERMEX 2010-2015 Synthesis
40