Distribution et caractérisation par fluorescence de la matiére organique dissoute dans les eaux de la Manche centrale

Intensity and spectral characteristics of the fluorescence of water samples collected along the transect Cherbourg-Isle of Wight during four cruises for excitations at 370, 313 and 270 nm have been investigated within the framework of the FluxManche II program. Seasonal and spatial differences appeared to reflect on the one hand, variations in terrestrial inputs, and on the other hand, waters masses structuring. The observed linear variation of the fluorescence intensity with salinity indicates a gradual dilution of the continental humic material in going from the coasts to the central part of the English Channel. The largest signal was observed for the English coastal waters in agreement with important terrestrial inputs from the Solent river. While the fluorescence intensity was not found to be correlated with the DOC, it shows a good correlation with the nutrients. This result could indicate both a supply from terrestrial inputs and an almost simultaneous autochtonous regeneration. As similarly reported for waters in the eastern part of the French coastal zone, excitation at 313 nm gives evidence for the presence of two classes of fluorescent dissolved organic matter. These two fluorescent components are indicative of the simultaneous presence of continental humic substances and substances whose assignment to marine humic substances or to heterotrophic related substances are still an open question. As compared to the eastern part of the Channel along the French coasts, excitation at 270 nm indicates a lower content of protein-like compounds which may be related to a lower biological activity along the transect or may be due to the fact that the samplings were made out of the phytoplanktonic bloom period (April–May 1995).     

Facteurs de mortalité observés chez les tortues marines dans le golfe de Gascogne

Factors of mortality in marine turtles near the French coast of the Bay of Biscay have been recorded for four species: leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), loggerhead (Caretta caretta), Ridley's turtle (Lepidochelys kempii) and green turtle (Chelonia mydas). Most accidental captures of D. coriacea by fishing gears lead to drowning, but the main threat for the species is the ingestion of floating waste. Plastic bags induce occlusion or lesions in the stomach and subsequent death. For C. caretta, L. kempii and C. mydas, the pathology points out mainly two features: external or internal mycosis.     

Colonisation d’un récif frangeant de l’île de La Réunion par les larves de poissons coralliens

The colonization of a fringing reef of Reunion Island by fish larvae takes place essentially from August to February with two peaks, in August-September, when the water temperatures are coldest, and in February when they are at a maximum. The number of fishes, as well as the number of sampled species, present similar values over two consecutive years with, nevertheless, a strong variation in the species involved. In Reunion Island, the number of post-larvae which colonise the reef is one hundred to four hundred times lower than on larger and more structured reefs. This phenomenon could be explained by the geographical characteristics of the island. The stock control of the adult fish in Reunion could largely be the result of the arrival of post-larvae on reefs and would correspond to the model of “recruitment limitation”.     

Les surcotes et les décotes marines à Brest, étude statistique et évolution

Sea surges (positive or negative) are short-period events (several hours to several days) among the most extreme oceanic phenomena resulting from climatic variability. A statistical study of hourly tide-gauge records at Brest does not allow any clear trend in long-term variations of these extreme sea levels to be detected. However, the frequency of extreme positive sea surges has increased recently (1953–1994), whereas extreme and sub-extreme negative sea surges has decreased. Such trends for the highest values strengthen the prevalence of positive sea surges over negative ones. The general evolution appears to be organised around several time scales, with a strong interannual variability superimposed on periods of amplification or regression of decennial order.     

Prélèvements systématiques et caractérisation des réflecteurs acoustiques: nouvelle étape dans la compréhension de la géologie de la Méditerranée occidentale

A sampling survey in the Ligurian Sea and north of the Balearic Islands (Mediterranean Sea) brought back samples containing the following elements: (1) lithified Quaternary crust and deep-lying corals; (2) Early Pliocene marls corresponding to reflector level M in some cases; (3) red sediments tentatively assimilated with the Messinian continental equivalent; (4) rocks coming from the basement; (5) volcanic rocks.For the first time, basalts with olivine were discovered in the Algero-Provencal Abyssal Plain.A volcano 500 m high was sampled by dredging north of Minorca.     

Absorption et régénération de l'azote dans le système brassé de la Manche: productions nouvelle et régénérée

Nitrate and ammonium uptake rates were measured in spring and summer in deep and shallow wellmixed waters of the English Channel during different cruises between 1986 and 1994. In the deep waters, nitrate uptake was relatively low during phytoplankton development and ammonium uptake represented more than 70 % of the total uptake irrespective of the season. In the shallow waters, nitrate uptake during spring phytoplankton growth was high and represented about 75 % of the total uptake. Ammonium uptake became substantial towards the end of spring and summer. The high contribution of ammonium to the nitrogenous nutrition of phytoplankton over the whole of the well-mixed waters is related to a high rate of recycling of nitrogen in the water column. Ammonium regeneration by microheterotrophs can satisfy between 62 % and the totality of the phytoplankton nitrogen requirements. The high primary production in deep well-mixed waters is not supported by allochthonous nitrogen supply but by an intense in situ regeneration of nitrogen. The situation is similar in shallow well-mixed waters, except during the spring bloom.     

Caractéristiques du feutrage algal des récifs coralliens de Polynésie française soumis à différentes intensités de bioérosion

This study deals with the colonisation of experimental Porites blocks by epilithic and endolithic algal community in two atoll lagoons and two high-island lagoons in French Polynesia, exposed to different environmental conditions during a 5-year period. A qualitative analysis of the community (cyanobacteria and micro-algae) was carried out, and the relationship between the epilithic and endolithic strata observed. HPLC analysis of chlorophyll pigments was used to quantitatively determine the plant biomass, which was then compared to that of the algal turf of neighbouring reefs. The results show that these blocks are colonised according to two factors: the reef structure (atoll or high-island) and the degree of human disturbance. The epilithic and endolithic population dynamics differ.The density of the epilithic algal community and the species diversity increase with the degree of eutrophication and the amount of borers (sea-urchins, parrotfish), while the proportion of endolithic species remains low (34 %–59 %). This is especially marked in the high-island lagoons, where leaching has caused enhanced nutrient levels. An extreme case is the station at Faaa, a highly polluted harbour, where increased sea-urchin levels (44 ind. m⁻²) meant that the blocks disappeared completely in less than five years due to bioerosion. In the oligotrophic waters of the atoll lagoons, the losses of CaCO₃ by bioerosion do not exceed 35 % per block, and the algal community is made up mainly of endolithic species (66 %–85 %). The algal biomass is lowest in the Takapoto atolls (10–11 μg cm⁻²) and maximum in Tikehau atoll (23 and 56 μg cm⁻²). The first microborers to settle in the ecological succession of the community are the cyanobacteria. These are gradually replaced by Ostreobium (Chlorophyceae borers), which become dominant in the blocks exposed to the lowest bioerosion rate. The richness and the density of the algal turf reflect the convergence of many ecological factors: it seems that the covering of epilithic algae or the richness of endolithic flora could be used as a global indicator of the quality and the health of a reef.     

Dynamique Spatio-temporelle du Bactérioplancton d'une aire marine Méditerranéenne perturbée par l'effluent urbain de l'agglomération marseillaise

The sewage originated by the city of Marseilles (more than 1 M inhabitants) is entering the sea water at surface level in the calanque of Cortiou (6–8 km east of the city). In the 6 km ² basin concerned with the polluted flux, bacterial communities demonstrate some behavorial analogies with other plankton. In spite of organic and mineral enrichments, both bacterial and phytoplanktonic densities are similar to those of the oligotrophic surrounding sea water. As for zooplanktonic species, which are able to resist in polluted environments, bacteria show capabilities to grow in various cultural conditions. No effect of the annual temperature cycle is noted on bacterial numbers. But, considering the bacterial community dynamics, the mechanisms leading to these similarities are quite different for bacteria. Heterotrophic bacteria mineralize the exogenous organic matter far from the ‘point source’, as demonstrated by the good correlation between N-NH₄ and viable counts (r=0·98). The fluctuations of the numbers of viable heterotrophs and total coliforms (incubated at 37°C) are similar (r=0·98 for n=60) showinga low selective effect of the temperature and the capability for the same bacteria to grow both on selective or not selective medium. The biomass production resulting is shown by high values of the frequency of dividing cells and is due to heterotrophic bacteria. Bacterial production is more important in the more polluted part of the basin (N-NE), but, the bacterial density is regulated by factors varying in relation to the distance to the source of sewage. Near the mouth of the outlet sedimentation, dispersion, zooplanktonic grazing of particles with attached bacteria and bacterial predators grazing on free-living bacteria are the major causes of bacterial disappearance. In the west and south areas, where pollutants and organic material are diluted, the amount of substrate necessary for energy maintenance also plays a role. On the other hand, in these areas, no attempt was made to detect viable but not active cells in direct counts.     

Influence d'un élevage ostréicole sur les flux de nutriments et d'oxygène dans un écosystème lagunaire

The impact of suspended oyster culture (Crassostrea gigas, Thunberg) on oxygen and nutrient fluxes has been studied in situ, in a coastal lagoon (Thau, France), during a seasonal cycle. On the first plan of the multiple factorial correspondences analysis (MCA), seasons were well discriminated. The fluxes were maximum in summer and minimum in winter. However, this seasonal pattern was not only linked to the water temperature, as autumn and spring (similar temperatures of about 12 °C) were distinct in the second factorial plan (2.3). Oxygen uptake by the oyster cultures varied between 0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ (January) and 11 823 ±377 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ (July). Ammonia and nitrate-nitrites were released into the water column respectively at a rate of 2905 ± 327 μmol m⁻²h⁻¹ and 891 ± 88 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ in the summer and 0 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ and 177 ± 97 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹ in the cold season. During the summer, the nitrate-nitrites flux was about 20 % of the total dissolved inorganic nitrogen production. Phosphate release was low except for two periods during which an important release was measured; in May (1686 ± 44 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹) and in November (2691 ± 800 μmol m⁻² h⁻¹). No linear relation between water temperature and phosphate flux was found. In Thau Lagoon, oyster cultures (oysters and epibiota) by producing 2 × 10⁷ mol-N y⁻¹ play a central role in nitrogen renewal in the water column.     

Procédure Optimisée Hors-contaminations pour l'Analyse des eléments nutritifs dissous dans l'eau de mer

This work describes a complete procedure to simplify pre-analytical operations and to reduce problems of contamination during nutrient analysis which prove the importance of the various potential contaminations: fingerprints, atmosphere, particulate matter. For instance, on a fingerprint there is enough urea to bring about 80 μmol litre⁻ to an autoanalyzer cup, i.e 150 times the mean value in seawater. Atmospheric contact increases the ammonia concentration by about 1·5 μmollitre⁻ per hour. The overestimation due to the interference of particulate matter reaches 15–80% of dissolved phosphate in summer in coastal seawater.In order to minimize tese contaminations, the sample is never poured out of its sampling flask. Thus, when the level of suspended matter is too high, centrifugation of the sample is performed directly in the vial, just before Analysis, instead of the usual filtration. Moreover, a Technicon Sampler IVhas been modified to receive vials up to 125 ml. In this way any filling of cups is avoided and atmospheric contamination is greatly reduced because of the larger volume of sample.The results show the improvement induced by our modifications: with reduced handling results are expected to be more reliable and representative.     

Les carbonates associés à la macrofaune des sables fins littoraux en Méditerranée nord-occidentale

The carbonates associated with the macrofauna of shallow fine sands have been evaluated at six stations located at five different sites on the French Mediterranean coast. The carbonate content of forty species or zoological groups has been estimated. At each station the mean calcimass has been calculated during a year-long cycle, showing the participation of the different zoological groups, mainly molluscs and echinoderms. The comparison of calcimass and associated biomass shows that CaCO₃/AFDW ratio fluctuates between 1.6 to 19.3. These values are similar to those obtained in some rocky bottom communities. Calcimass values usually largely exceed biomass ones; therefore the carbon linked to carbonates cannot be excluded from the carbon balance including macrofauna, which are usually represented only by biomass organic matter. According to mean longevity of species providing CaCO₃, the annual carbonate production by macrobenthos in Mediterranean fine sands can be roughly estimated as being one third of its calcimass value.     

Données géomorphologiques sur la région de Fresh Creek,Ile Andros (Bahama)

A geomorphological study of the east coast of Andros (Fresh Creek area) shows the existence of a paleotopography represented by low-altitude hills (few metres). This paleotopography is protected by the presence of a calcitic Quaternary crust which covers Pleistocene calcarenite.In the western part of the area, there are long woody axes, oriented NE-SW, parallel to the channels of the creek. They end at two kilometres from the coast, along which is a second kind of lower hills, orthogonal to the first.The first axes can be interpreted as megaripples as seen at the present time on modern deposits (on the Great Bahama Bank) and fossilized by the upper crust. The second direction is made by accretion ripples along the coast.The surface of the Bahamian calcarenite has been studied. The Bahamian karst presents two topographical forms: “blue holes” like those outside the island, which are 60–80 m in diameter and both sparse and deep; and “washtub” dolines; these are numerous and shallow, and, from low altitude, exhibit a honeycombed aspect on the surface. This karstic topography with dolines and blue holes is also seen through the water of the Creek the hard bottom of which is covered only here and there with a few centimetres of sediments. Hence, there is a submerged karstic topography, made of the same elements as the aerial karst, but submerged by the Holocene transgression. The present karstic relief, in relation with the different eustatic levels of the Quaternary, has begun 120,000 years ago, according to the isotopic ages, and might be composed by different steps, difficult to show now, in the topography.The blue holes in the interior of the island of young and little evolved karst, were formed more by solution than by collapse of the karstic caves, because of the absence of a real river to drain the Andros shelf at the time of low sea levels. Blue holes of the inside of the island, as they are called, with submarine openings, have the same salinity as the water of the creek (17.5 g/l). The dolines with very low salinity (0.7 g/l to 3.8 g/l) are filled with stromatolites and charophytes, slowly forming sediments made up essentially of high-magnesian calcite.It seems that the Andros Island karst can be compared with that of the Yucatan, where there are round and deep open pits, called cenote, of which the Bahamian equivalent would be the blue holes which were drowned by the Holocene transgression.     

Variabilité du panache turbide de la Gironde par télédétection. Effets des facteurs climatiques

The Gironde estuary (France) discharges to the ocean an important amount of suspended particulate matter in the form of turbid plumes. The surface plume is more particularly studied from coastal oceanographic surveys and NOAA/AVHRR satellite data collected during a French programme of coastal oceanography (PNOC-Atlantic). The AVHRR reflectances are atmospherically corrected according to an algorithm based on the clear water concept. The comparison with suspended sediment concentrations are realised by direct and indirect calibrations. The correlations obtained show that at a same concentration the reflectance varies, probably because of varying particle (floc) size and composition. The shape and the surface measured from low resolution (4 km × 4 km) and high resolution (1 km × 1 km) AVHRR data are then compared to the forcings introduced by the fluvial output, the tide, neap and spring tide and the wind variations. The latter have an important effect on the orientation of the distal part of the turbid plume.     

Répartition des foraminifères benthiques actuels sur le plateau continental sénégalais au sud de Dakar

Two hundred and twenty-four benthic foraminiferal species were recognized in the total assemblages of fifty samples collected from the Senegalese continental shelf south of Dakar (down to a depth of 200 m). A factor analysis based on nineteen dominant species shows three main factors. The first two seem to be associated with temperature and its seasonal variations; they are depth-related and determine two main faunal changes. The third factor is substrate-related. The main depth-related species are: i) Cribrononion gerthi, Quinqueloculina akneriana, Quinqueloculina lamarckiana, Cribrolinoides curtus, Elphidium fichtellianum and Textularia sagittula in the coastal zone; ii) Discorbinella bertheloti, Cancris aff. C. sagrum, Textularia truncata, Nonion fabum, Bulimina elegans and Hanzawaia solei in the inner shelf; iii) Trifarina bradyana, Trifarina fornasinii, Uvigerina peregrina and Cassidulina laevigata in the outer shelf. The species that are substrate-related are: i) N. fabum, B. elegans, C. gerthi and H. solei in the fine-grained sands and ii) Lobatula lobatula, C. curtus, T. sagittula and D. bertheloti in the coarse-grained sands. The reduction in planktonic percentage and diversity in the outer shelf are related to the upwelling seasonal influence.     

Survie et maintien de la virulence de Salmonella Typhimurium VNC exposée simultanément à trois facteurs stressants expérimentaux

The release of enteric pathogenic bacteria in aquatic environments poses the problem of the fate of these bacteria under the effects of environmental factors (solar radiation, salt concentration, temperature, nutrient level, pH, competition). Frequently, these bacterial cells, potentially pathogenic, enter into a non-culturable state on routine bacteriological plating media. However, the use of direct detection methods DAPI stained cells allows the visualization of these Viable but Non Culturable cells VNC. But, beyond the characterization of the viability of the cells electron transport activity, metabolic activity, membrane integrity, structure and/or quantity of DNA, what happens with the virulence of these cells? This problem was experimentally investigated according to the bacterial model Salmonella Typhimurium. The virulence of this strain, which is the agent of the murine typhoid, was evaluated on a mouse model. Experimentally, the effects of some environmental factors on the survival and on the maintenance of virulence of Salmonella Typhimurium were measured in microcosms exposed to UV radiation (four germicidal lamps 8 mW s⁻¹ cm⁻², wave length: 254 nm, salt concentration (Sea Salt Sigma, 37, nutrient starvation. The microcosms were simultaneously submitted to these three factors, with variable exposure times. For each of those times, the viability of the nonculturable cells which became nonculturable because of the exposure to the three factors was measured through different physiological states notable in the cells, after using different fluorescent dyes. The stained cells were observed by epifluorescence microscopy and analysed by image cytometry. So, the cellular populations are characterised by enumeration of respiring bacteria CTC, [39], metabolising bacteria YEK, [22] modified, bacteria owning an undamaged cytoplasmic membrane LD, Live/Dead BacLight Viability Kit. Molecular Probes Inc.; we also determined the quantity and/or structure of DNA of the cells fluorescence level of DAPI stained cells), After exposure to the three factors for one hour 13.56 J cm⁻², while the plate count cell density rapidly decreased from #10⁷ cells mL⁻¹ to0.1 cell mL⁻¹, physiological states of these viable but non-culturable cells are similar to those of non-exposed cells. On the other hand, after exposure for three hours, only 10 % of the cells deposit a CTC formazan-crystal and 20 % are substrate responsive cells enlarged cells in presence of Yeast Extract and Cephalexin: YEC. Half of the cellular population presents an undamaged cytoplasmic membrane and the level of fluorecence of DAPI stained cells is close to 85 %, which shows that the DNA of these cells is weakly damaged. After exposure to the three experimental factors for24 hours 315 J cm⁻², weak replies to the physiological tests used in this study to characterize the viability of the non-culturable cellular population are observed CTC: 4 %; YEC: 2 %; LD: 11.8 % while the fluorescence level of DAPI stained cells remains firm at 80 %. At the same time, the virulence expression of VNC cells of Salmonella Typhimurium, evaluated by intraperitoneal injection to the mouse route which excludes uncontrolled parameters, unlike the per os route does not seem to be correlated with the cellular viability such as it has been evaluated in this study. A 30 min exposure (6.73 J cm⁻²) to the three environmental factors, leading to the non-culturability of almost the entire exposed cell population 0.08 culturable cell mL⁻¹ whereas the level of viability of those culturable cells is closed to the one of non-exposed cells. The injection of 1000 of those cells 0.001 culturable cells in 100 μL inoculated into the mouse a group of ten mice does not cause any mortality four weeks post-inoculation, whereas the injection of the same dose of non-exposed cells leads to the death of all mice in the group one week post-inoculation. According to our preliminary experiments on Salmonella Typhimurium, the loss of the state of culturability and the loss of virulence towards mice by intra-peritoneal route, because of the exposure to associated effects of UV irradiation 254 nm, salinity 37 and nutrient starvation, seem to be concomitant.     

Distribution et écologie des Méduses (Cnidaria) du golfe de Tunis (Méditerranée sud occidentale)

The Medusae of Tunis Gulf (25 species) are qualitatively the third zooplanktonic group after Tintinnids and Copepods. Anthomedusae (eight species), Trachymedusae (five species) and Leptomedusae (four species) represent the major part among the 20 species of Hydromedusae identified during our study (December 1993–November 1995). However, the Limnomedusae (two species) and the Narcomedusae (one species) are poorly represented. In the Bay of Tunis, Obelia spp., the most common and dominant species, command the quantitative fluctuations of Hydromedusae and reach exceptionally the density of 25 800 ind. m^–3. Within the Scyphomedusae (five species), Pelagia noctiluca is the most common species which outbreaks in winter and autumn. Tunis Gulf seems to be composed of two jellyfish communities; the first one is composed of endogenous species showing a constant period of blooming like Olindias, Cladonema, Aurelia, Cotylorhiza and Rhizostoma and sometimes permanent like Obelia spp. and Clytia spp.; the second is represented by exogenous species considered as “visitors” like Velella, Sminthea or Pelagia whose presence on the coast is dependent on local and particular winds and currents.     

Sur l'existence d'une topographie antérécifale dans la région de Tuléar (côte sud ouest de Madagascar)

The outline of the Pleistocene coastal geomorphology in the Tuléar area (Madagascar) can be redrawn from the analysis of the setting and characteristics of present-day coral reefs. Initial outer reef tracts, which grew in Tatsimian times (according to Battistini's terminology), followed in their development the river pattern, since they settled upon the divides between valleys instead of growing uniformly on the outer shelf. These primary reef chains coalesced subsequently. Inner reefs and coral banks also followed, although not so closely, the river pattern.     

Phases d'érosion—comblement de la vallée de la Papenoo et volcanisme subrécent à Tahiti,en relation avec l'évolution des iles de la Société (Pacifique Sud)

A detailed mapping and data from borings support the conclusion that there is a late lava flow inside the Papenoo valley, the main valley of Tahiti island. This last volcanic manifestation which took place 400,000 years ago came after the phase of erosion corresponding to the Illinoian glacial period. It is one of the four phases of erosion followed by filling observed in the cross section of the Papenoo valley.     

Sur l'origine et l'âge des levées sédimentaires profondes: Cas du delta sous-marin du Rhône (Méditerranée nord-occidentale)

The interpretation of sedimentological and geochronological results lead us to the conclusion that the sedimentary levees flanking the deep-sea channels of the Rhône deep-sea fan are made up of various kinds of turbidites originating from different coastal areas and were deposited during the Quaternary glacial epochs.     

Croissance de juvéniles de Nereis diversicolor nourris avec des détritus d’halophytes

The comparative effect of the uptake of fresh and degraded detritus of halophytic plants, harvested from salt marches of the Mont Saint-Michel Bay (France), on the growth of a juvenile population of the annelid polychaete N. diversicolor (L.) was studied under experimental conditions in summer 1993. Fresh and degraded detritus of Spartina anglica, Halimione portulacoides and Salicornia europeae, as well as the green algae Enteromorpha sp. were distributed separately to homogenous set of juveniles for a 75 d period. The highest growth rate was obtained for worms fed with Enteromorpha sp. Administration of fresh detritus of a given halophyte species to N. diversicolor juveniles always leads to a significantly higher growth rate than did degraded detritus. This is probably due to a great microbial biomass occurring on the fresh detritus, which is moreover, much better assimilated than the detritus they colonize.