Directive Cadre Eau: Mise en oeuvre du contrôle de surveillance - résultats de la campagne 2006 - district Corse

Report (2007)

Les programmes de surveillance liés à la mise en oeuvre de la DCE sont coordonnés par le Ministère de l’Ecologie et de l’Aménagement durable (MEDAD) et dans chaque bassin hydrographique ce sont les ... [more ▼]

Les programmes de surveillance liés à la mise en oeuvre de la DCE sont coordonnés par le Ministère de l’Ecologie et de l’Aménagement durable (MEDAD) et dans chaque bassin hydrographique ce sont les Agences de l’eau qui, avec l’Etat, prennent en charge l’application, la mise en oeuvre de ces réseaux. Sur la façade méditerranéenne, Ifremer a assuré pour le compte du Schéma Directeur des Données sur l’Eau la maîtrise d’ouvrage de la première campagne du contrôle de surveillance, en coordonnant l’ensemble de l’acquisition des données et de leur synthèse en collaboration avec de nombreux partenaires : Universités, bureaux d’études, structures locales de gestion et services de l’Etat. La mobilisation des différents acteurs autour d’un objectif commun a permis de faire face à la pluridisciplinarité et à la complexité des aspects logistiques de ce programme. Les résultats de cette première campagne du contrôle de surveillance (2006) permettent d’ores et déjà d’avoir une bonne vision d’ensemble de la qualité des eaux littorales à l’échelle du district. Ils confortent les évaluations faites « à dire d’expert » lors de l’état des lieux du district avec des informations nouvelles concernant plus particulièrement la biologie, notamment le benthos de substrat meuble. En eaux côtières, les eaux sont de bonne qualité. En eau de transition, essentiellement lagunaires, il existe une plus grande hétérogénéité des résultats avec des paramètres déclassant relevant plutôt de la biologie, mais sur un nombre important d’indicateurs. [less ▲]

Field measurements of inorganic nitrogen uptake by epiflora components of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (Monocotyledons, Posidoniaceae)

in Journal of Phycology (2007), 43(2), 208-218

Crustose corallines, crustose and erect brown algae, and sessile animals are major components of the epiphytic community of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Production, biomass ... [more ▼]

Crustose corallines, crustose and erect brown algae, and sessile animals are major components of the epiphytic community of the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile. Production, biomass, and specific composition of this epiphyte-seagrass association are impacted by anthropogenic increase of nutrient load in this oligotrophic area. In this context, nitrogen uptake by P. oceanica and its epiflora was measured using the isotope N-15 at a 10 m depth in the Revellata Bay (Corsica, Mediterranean Sea). Epiflora components showed various seasonal patterns of biomass and abundance. The epiphytic brown algae appeared at the end of spring, later than the crustose corallines, and after the nitrate peak in the bay. Because of their later development in the season, epiphytic brown algae mostly rely on ammonium for their N needs. We hypothesize that the temporal succession of epiphytic organisms plays a crucial role in the N dynamics of this community under natural conditions. The epiphytic brown algae, which have a growth rate one order of magnitude greater than that of crustose corallines, showed lower N-uptake rates. The greater N-uptake rates of crustose corallines probably reflect the greater N requirements (i.e., lower C/N ratios) of red algae. We determined that the epiflora incorporated ammonium and nitrate more rapidly than their host. Nevertheless, when biomass was taken into account, P. oceanica was the most important contributor to N uptake from the water column by benthic macrophytes in this seagrass bed. [less ▲]

Use of exergy to detect and measure perturbations affecting Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile meadows: Characterization in the sedimentary compartment

Poster (2007, March)

Within the scope of the European Water Framework Directive, it seems important to characterize state and evolution of marine ecosystems in a global way. So, it is proposed to use both thermodynamic ... [more ▼]

Within the scope of the European Water Framework Directive, it seems important to characterize state and evolution of marine ecosystems in a global way. So, it is proposed to use both thermodynamic indicators called exergy (Ex) and specific exergy (Exsp) in Posidonia oceanica meadows. Aims of this project are to detect and measure perturbations owed to nutrients loading and mechanical spoiling in the Mediterranean coastal zone. It will be led in the Bay of Calvi, on the microbenthic loop (organic matter, bacteria, microphytobenthos and meiofauna) and will be divided in two parts: sampling in different zone of the meadow and in situ experiments. In the end of this study, it will be possible to give a diagnostic on the health of P. oceanica meadow and to determine how this health will evolve, thanks to the introduction of the exergy in a model. [less ▲]

Long-Term Feeding Ecology and Habitat Use in Harbour Porpoises Phocoena Phocoena from Scandinavian Waters Inferred from Trace Elements and Stable Isotopes

in BMC Ecology (2007), 7

BACKGROUND: We investigated the feeding ecology and habitat use of 32 harbour porpoises by-caught in 4 localities along the Scandinavian coast from the North Sea to the Barents Sea using time-integrative ... [more ▼]

BACKGROUND: We investigated the feeding ecology and habitat use of 32 harbour porpoises by-caught in 4 localities along the Scandinavian coast from the North Sea to the Barents Sea using time-integrative markers: stable isotopes (delta13C, delta15N) and trace elements (Zn, Cu, Fe, Se, total Hg and Cd), in relation to habitat characteristics (bathymetry) and geographic position (latitude). RESULTS: Among the trace elements analysed, only Cd, with an oceanic specific food origin, was found to be useful as an ecological tracer. All other trace elements studied were not useful, most likely because of physiological regulation and/or few specific sources in the food web. The delta13C, delta15N signatures and Cd levels were highly correlated with each other, as well as with local bathymetry and geographic position (latitude). Variation in the isotopic ratios indicated a shift in harbour porpoise's feeding habits from pelagic prey species in deep northern waters to more coastal and/or demersal prey in the relatively shallow North Sea and Skagerrak waters. This result is consistent with stomach content analyses found in the literature. This shift was associated with a northward Cd-enrichment which provides further support to the Cd 'anomaly' previously reported in polar waters and suggests that porpoises in deep northern waters include Cd-contaminated prey in their diet, such as oceanic cephalopods. CONCLUSION: As stable isotopes and Cd provide information in the medium and the long term respectively, the spatial variation found, shows that harbour porpoises experience different ecological regimes during the year along the Scandinavian coasts, adapting their feeding habits to local oceanographic conditions, without performing extensive migration. [less ▲]

Trophic diversity and potential role of detritivorous crustaceans in Posidonia oceanica litter

Conference (2006, June)

Detrivorous crustaceans are pivotal components of the trophic food webs and are found to be the main constituents of the macrofauna in Posidonia oceanica litter. The coexistence of many of these species ... [more ▼]

Detrivorous crustaceans are pivotal components of the trophic food webs and are found to be the main constituents of the macrofauna in Posidonia oceanica litter. The coexistence of many of these species in the same biotope raises the question of trophic diversity and of its role in litter degradation process. Diet composition of five common species of detrivorous crustaceans in P. oceanica litter (i.e. the gammarid amphipods Gammarella fusicola and Gammarus aequicauda and the isopods Idotea baltica, Idotea hectica and Zenobiana prismatica) were studied using a combination of gut content and stable isotopes analysis. Despite the common food supply (i.e. Posidonia dead leaf, Posidonia epiphytes or drift macroalgae), there were considerable interspecific differences in diet composition. Gut content observations indicate that P. oceanica leaf litter is an important part of the ingested food of all the species. Algae material (macroepiphytes and drift macroalgae) inhabiting the litter is mainly found in G. fusicola, I. hectica and I. baltica. I. baltica displays a high proportion of crustacean fragments. Isotope ratios showed that most of the species do not assimilate much of the ingested Posidonia. Application of a mixing model using isotopic values to estimate the contribution of the potential different food sources confirms this view. On one hand, the tissue of G. aequicauda could be constituted by more than 50 % of P. oceanica carbon. On the other hand, for the other species studied, P. oceanica represented a minor contribution (10 - 30 %), although it is a major component of the gut contents. This could imply that micro-organism (diatoms, bacteria and fungi) living on the Posidonia detritus is a major food source of detrivorous. Moreover, I. baltica, Z. prismatica and G. fusicola have a diversified diet composed mainly of algae. Crustaceans are an important food source for I. baltica. By contrast, I. hectica indicated a major contribution of algae material. Our results demonstrate the trophic diversity existing between the detrivorous crustaceans species in P. oceanica litter. This trophic diversity is probably one of the factors that allows these species to coexist in the same biotope. The results also underline the potential role of these species in the degradation of P. oceanica litter by fragmenting mechanically the Posidonia detritus and by assimilating directly Posidonia carbon and transferring it to higher trophic level (i.e. coastal fishes). Moreover, it allows us to think that micro-organisms (diatoms, bacteria and fungi) colonising leaf litter may constitute an important food source for litter fauna. [less ▲]

In situ sampling of pore waters from seagrass meadows

in Biologia Marina Mediterranea (2006), 13

A routine and low cost method to collect pore water in a seagrass meadow in situ and underwater is here proposed. The method consists of direct-suction filtered sampling allowing the determination of ... [more ▼]

A routine and low cost method to collect pore water in a seagrass meadow in situ and underwater is here proposed. The method consists of direct-suction filtered sampling allowing the determination of nutrient concentrations in the sampled water. Data ranges of nutrient (NO2-+NO3-; HPO4 2- and NH4+) concentrations in a P. oceanica meadow are also discussed [less ▲]

Biology of Posidonia

in Larkum, Anthony WD; Orth, Robert J; Duarte, Carlos M (Eds.) Seagrasses: Biology, Ecology and Conservation (2006)

The aim of this chapter is to place emphasis on the dynamics of Posidonia systems in order to detect key ecosystem processes and to put in evidence the large differences between the Mediterranean and ... [more ▼]

The aim of this chapter is to place emphasis on the dynamics of Posidonia systems in order to detect key ecosystem processes and to put in evidence the large differences between the Mediterranean and Australian systems. These key processes shall be the basis to formulate new working hypothesis in order to verify newly emerging concepts and propose management plans in order to ensure the sustainability of the system. [less ▲]

Restoration of Posidonia oceanica meadows : means and limitations.

in Proceedings of the seventh international conference on the Mediterranean coastal environment. Medcoast 05 (2005)

Recommandations pour un programme de surveillance adapté aux objectifs de la DCE (recommandations concernat le benthos marins)

Report (2005)

L'application de la DCE nécessite la mise en place de contrôles pour évaluer l'état écologique des Masses d'eau côtières.

Applications of C and N stable isotopes to ecological and environmental studies in seagrass ecosystems

in Marine Pollution Bulletin (2004), 49(11-12), 887-891

Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen are increasingly used in marine ecosystems, for ecological and environmental studies. Here, we examine some applications of stable isotopes as ecological integrators ... [more ▼]

Stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen are increasingly used in marine ecosystems, for ecological and environmental studies. Here, we examine some applications of stable isotopes as ecological integrators or tracers in seagrass ecosystem studies. We focus on both the use of natural isotope abundance as food web integrators or environmental tracers and on the use of stable isotopes as experimental tools. As ecosystem integrators, stable isotopes have helped to elucidate the general structure of trophic webs in temperate, Mediterranean and tropical seagrass ecosystems. As environmental tracers, stable isotopes have proven their utility in sewage impact measuring and mapping. However, to make such environmental studies more comprehensible, future works on understanding of basic reasons for variations of N and C stable isotopes in seagrasses should be encouraged. At least, as experimental tracers, stable isotopes allow the study of many aspects of N and C cycles at the scale of a plant or at the scale of the seagrass ecosystem. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. [less ▲]