Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : In the bay of Aigues-Mortes, the managers of the co astal cities try to preserve the socio-economic and patrimonial stakes against the coastal hazards, such as contamination, storm surge and erosion. In this context, a massive beach nourishment of sand (1 million of m3 for 10km of coastline) was made at the beginning of year 2008 to reduce erosion. The REPBAM project (REchargements et Panaches sédiment aires dans la Baie d'Aigues-Mortes) aims to qualify and quantify by in-situ measurements and numerical modelling: 1. the geomorphological evolution of this modified coast and 2. the impact of the sediment's resuspension on the coastal ecosystems, in particular the one of the Posidonia oceanica seagrass. A numerical modelling "wave/current/sediment" is first implemented for December 2008. Nested and curvilinear grids allow a very high resolution for the beach area but also include the inner shelf where the seagrasses are located. Hydrodynamic and topo-bathymetric measurements were acquired from January to May 2012. Model and measurements results show the same trends during storms: strong currents, seaward migrationof the innerbar, sediment resuspension and turbid on the inner shelf.
Coastal Dynamics 2013
Arcachon, France

hal-00908082
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00908082

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Urucum region (Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil) contains Neoproterozoic–Cambrian manganese ore in the layers Mn-1, Mn-2, and Mn-3, which are interbedded with iron formations (IFs) from the Santa Cruz Formation (Jacadigo Group) and surrounded by carbonate rocks from the Bocaina and Tamengo Formations (Corumbá Group). These rocks fill an ancient graben, with sediments from the Santa Cruz Formation overlying fluvial deposits from the Urucum Formation and limestones from the Bocaina and Tamengo Formations deposited in the shallow marginal regions. As the graben deepened, it was flooded with microbe-rich seawater and hydrothermalism began. Iron and manganese precipitated within the pores in arkosic sandstones, thereby forming the clastic Lower Mn-1 ore layer. The remaining manganese was simultaneously deposited on the basin floor with clastic clay and silt from turbidity currents, thereby forming the Upper Mn-1 clastic–chemical ore layer. The sedimentation of Mn-1 and its host IFs was controlled by seawater saturation and homogeneous oxidation, which caused manganese and iron sedimentation and the death of microorganisms, generating mangano-ferriferous sediments with high P, Co and Ni contents. Mn-2 formed during periods of tectonic quiescence through water influxes that carried abundant microbes, Fe(II), Mn(II), and SiO2. Under UV radiation, these microbes oxidized Mn(II) and Fe(II) to form hydroxides and died, thereby forming biomass that was enriched in P, Co and Ni and minor carbonate adjacent to and below the oxycline. These microbes also formed kremydilites, oblate structures that resemble manganese stromatolites, within the biomass and produced CH4 and/or H2 gas bubbles. During early diagenesis, wormlike organisms inhabited the biomass and probably separated iron from manganese to produce cryptomelane microbialites, which agglutinated to form manganese micronodules that coalesced to form the massive layer Mn-2. This process ended with the disappearance of microorganisms and the sedimentation of the IFs, and a new water influx generated layer Mn-3 via the same process. The final seawater upwelling precipitated IFs in the basin depocenter, whereas limestone from the Tamengo Formation was deposited along the basin’s edges. The diagenesis initially transformed the manganese oxides into cryptomelane and then into hollandite.
ISSN: 0169-1368

hal-01684668
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01684668
DOI : 10.1016/j.oregeorev.2017.09.018

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Reef positions record the interaction between eustasy and tectonics, and have been used worldwide to characterize vertical deformations of upper-plates at different time-scales and constrain the seismic behavior of megathrusts. Along the Lesser Antilles volcanic arc, high-resolution marine geophysical data were collected on the 2–20 km wide eastern Martinique reef platform to reconstruct its stratigraphic and morphologic history, and understand the influence of local normal faulting, volcanism and plate-scale subduction processes on Holocene and Late Pleistocene reef development. The subsiding Martinique platform's stratigraphy is composed of multiple superimposed sea-level highstand deposits separated by subaerial exposure surfaces of sea-level low stands. The carbonate platform consists of two laterally-extensive carbonate units (unit U2 overlying unit U3) that extend to the platform edge to a depth of − 95 m MSL (mean sea level), and form two morphologic terraces, M2 and M3 respectively. The landward portion of unit U2 is partially overlain between 0 and − 60 m MSL by the living reef tract U1. The current reef is composed of a landward fringing reef, a lagoon and a seaward barrier reef, the latter forming a double-bank barrier around the Caravelle Peninsula. In near-shore multi-channel seismic profiles, a distinct reflector at ~− 35 m MSL, probably a subaerial exposure surface E1, separates the reef sequence formed during the last transgression from a Pleistocene fossil reef tract forming unit U2. Offshore of Mount Pelée volcano (Late Pleistocene), the Holocene reef did not develop above unit U2, whose upper surface is incised by channels and apparent sinkholes. During the Holocene transgression, the possibility of excessive turbidity due to volcanic activity may have inhibited reef development in this area. The un-dated unit U2 probably developed 120–130 ka ago during the last interglacial (MIS 5.5) + 6 m MSL highstand as thick, extensive reefs deposited all along the Lesser Antilles arc. Due to subsidence, MIS 5.5 reefs are not represented by onshore facies, except along the southern Sainte Anne Peninsula where normal faulting and uplift balances island-scale subsidence. Based on unit U2's present elevation and assuming an MIS 5.5 age and + 6 m MSL sea level, Martinique has subsided at maximum 0.3 m/ky, likely due to subduction processes that question the coupling state of the megathrust.
ISSN: 0025-3227

hal-01307036
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01307036
DOI : 10.1016/j.margeo.2015.08.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : The seismic characteristics of focused fluid-related features such as pockmarks and carbonate build-ups on the Nigerian continental slope have been investigated using complementary seismic data sets (reprocessed 3D exploration data and 2D Very High Resolution hull-mounted and near-bottom seismic data) coupled with the results of previous studies (sedimentological, geotechnical and geochemical analyses).The results show different types of fluid-related features within the hemipelagic phase of long duration (∼1 Myr) Turbidite/Hemipelagic cycles. They are the product of the disturbance of the hosting sediments following two main distinct processes: (1) no or low sediment deposition caused by fluid escape associated with seafloor settlement (benthic fauna, carbonate precipitation, gas hydrate formation) and (2) post-depositional erosion, caused either by fluid release (dewatering from underlying features such as channels and upward migration from a deep source) or by collapse (destabilisation of gas hydrates). The temporal evolution reveals a decrease in fluid flow during the hemipelagic deposition as witnessed by the decrease in methanogenic activity and by gas hydrate destabilisation. The spatial distribution of fluid-related features seems to be controlled by the type of fault (small fault or structural lineament).
ISSN: 0264-8172

hal-01685513
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01685513
DOI : 10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2017.10.004

Éditeur(s) : Society for Sedimentary Geology
Résumé : The Kramis deep-sea fan extends over 45 km at the base of the western Algerian continental slope between 2000 and 2550 m water depth and covers an area of approximately 1200 km2. The Kramis Fan was initiated after Messinian time, evolved during the Plio-Quaternary, and, is still active, as proved by submarine cable breaks during the 1954 Orléansville earthquake. The Kramis Fan is fed by two perpendicular canyons: the Kramis Canyon and the Khadra Canyon, merging in a single E–W-oriented channel confined at the foot of the slope. It is strongly asymmetric with a super-developed levee on the right-hand side of the channel, the Kramis Ridge. Based on recent multibeam, side-scan sonar, and sediment core data (Maradja, 2003 and 2005, Prisma, 2004, and Prisme, 2007 cruises), we describe the morphology and internal structure of the fan and particularly the sediment ridge, showing marked lateral changes in the sediment-wave morphology and their association with a series of large scours in the intermediate part of the ridge aligned in the continuity of the Khadra Canyon direction. Overall, the Kramis Ridge is formed by turbidity currents overspilling the ridge crest, which is 100 m above the channel floor, with two exceptions. In the distal part of the ridge the subdued ridge-crest height probably causes continuous overspill, testified by sediment waves migrating parallel to the channel. The scours occur in the intermediate part of the ridge where the ridge height is only 50–60 m; scours are interpreted as the result of cyclic steps due to flow stripping of currents provided by the intersection of the Khadra Canyon with the Kramis Canyon and Channel system. The scours probably postdate the main growth of the Kramis Ridge and induce the local erosion of the ridge, which could correspond to a new channel initiation cutting the ridge. The superposition or the interaction of flows with different directions is responsible of the amplification of the size of the sediment waves with erosional downside flanks and their transformation in scours. The Kramis Fan provides a clear example of flow interaction to explain the presence of large sediment waves and scours on modern submarine fans.
SEPM Special Publication (1060-071X) (Society for Sedimentary Geology), 2012 , Vol. 99 , P. 293-308

Droits : 2012 SEPM (Society for Sedimentary Geology)
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00129/24021/21978.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00129/24021/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The main feature of the Congo-Angola margin in the Gulf of Guinea is the Congo (ex-Zaire) deep-sea fan composed of a submarine canyon directly connected to the Congo River, a channel and a [sediment] lobe area. During the multi-disciplinary programme called BIOZAIRE conducted by Ifremer from 2000 to 2005, two CTD-O2 sections with discrete water column samples were performed (BIOZAIRE3 cruise: 2003-2004) to study the influence of the Congo River discharges, both in the surface layer and in the deep and near-bottom layers. The surface layer water is greatly diluted with river water that has a heavy particle load. The deep layer is affected by episodic turbidity currents that flow in the deep Congo channel and reach deep areas far from the coast. Previous studies revealed deep anomalies in oxygen (deficit) and nutrient (excess) concentrations at not, vert, similar4000 m depth and assumed that they resulted from mineralisation of the particulate organic matter from the Congo River. The BIOZAIRE3 sections were designed to explore these phenomena in more detail near the Congo channel. Oxygen and nutrients were measured as well as additional parameters, including stable isotopes of oxygen and carbon, dissolved inorganic carbon and pH. For the surface layer, the effect of the Congo River was studied with reference to salinity. Deviations from the theoretical dilution of various inorganic solutes suggested the occurrence of mineralisation and consumption processes. For the deep layer, the network of CTD-O2 stations gave a more detailed description of the deep anomalies than in previous studies. From the east-west section, anomalies appeared on the bottom at 4000 m depth and became slightly shallower when they spread to the west. They were also present north and south on the bottom along the 4000 m isobath. In these deep waters, the decrease in the o13C values of dissolved inorganic carbon confirmed that the mineralisation of organic matter plays a role in generating these anomalies. The location of the origin of this deep anomaly is debated. Here, arguments are given in favour of mineralisation of the particulate organic matter input that overflows from the Congo channel at not, vert, similar4000 m depth during turbidity current events. Other authors suggest that this input comes from downslope particle transport. Anomalies of the same origin, but weaker, also occurred deeper on the Congo lobe, where the Congo channel ends, but with a significant pH decrease on the bottom which was not seen at 4000 m depth.
Deep Sea Research Part II: Topical Studies in Oceanography (0967-0645) (Elsevier), 2009-11 , Vol. 56 , N. 23 , P. 2183-2196

Droits : 2009 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6737.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.dsr2.2009.04.002
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6737/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
The Miradouro da Lua cliffs, which are 60 km south of Luanda, record the building and uplift of the late Neogene Palaeo-Cuanza delta. The detailed study of the sedimentary architecture and stacking pattern permitted separation of the pile into five depositional units bounded by erosional surfaces and characterised by separate facies associations (genetic sequences = units in this paper). At the base of the series, aeolian deposits (Unit 1) mark the development of a possible coastal desert during the late Miocene aridification. The major Pliocene sea-level rise (Transgressive Systems Tract) led to the drowning of the continental platform into a discrete shoreface-foreshore sequence (Unit 2), followed by an expanded deltaic sequence (Unit 3) that represents the main outcrop of the area. The sedimentary fabric of this prograding wedge during the Highstand Systems Tract reveals laterally stacked pluri-hectometic mouth bars built by the abrupt switching of a bird-foot delta during the Pliocene highstand. The clinoforms are deeply incised by submarine gullies filled both by periodic river-driven turbidite and tidal currents (Unit 4) during the coeval growing of the delta. The topset of the prograding wedge and associated gullies infill is truncated by an overall erosional unconformity that marks the widespread development of an extensive braid-delta system (Unit 5) during the lower Pleistocene sea-level drop (Lowstand Systems Tract). The last 6 m of the Braid-delta unit is overprinted by a ferallitic profile, forming the surface of the plateau and indicating long-term subaerial exposure and weathering processes consistent with the maximum warming of the middle to late Pleistocene interglacial periods. The successive abrupt shifts of the depositional systems through the sedimentary pile indicate a high-amplitude sea level amplified by major coastal uplifts and the reorganisation of the fluvial network. In this context, the palaeo-Cuanza prograding wedge signals the westward tilting and 60 m total uplift of the coastal plain during the Pliocene. A new uplift pulse by differential tilt and slope increase is deduced from the widespread development of the braid-delta complex during the early Pleistocene. The last tectonic event corresponds to the 80- to 100-m uplift and ferallitic paedogenesis during the middle to late Pleistocene interglacial stages.
ISSN: 0899-5362

hal-01053716
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01053716
DOI : 10.1016/j.jafrearsci.2014.01.013

Éditeur(s) : Mercator Ocean
Résumé : Pre-operational system PREVIMER provides with coastal observations and forecasts along French coasts: currents, waves, sea levels, temperature, salinity, primary production and turbidity. These marine environmental data come from in situ observations, satellite images, and numerical models. They are centralized and archived in PREVIMER databases, then published on website (real time and historical data), and freely available to users, private companies as well as public administrations. This paper describes in details PREVIMER components and users.
Mercator Ocean - Quarterly Newsletter (Mercator Ocean), 2014 , N. 49 , P. 3-8

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00189/30037/28523.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00189/30037/

Éditeur(s) : Université de Bretagne Occidentale
Résumé : The negative impact of the man on the environment unquestionably increases. The coastal environment as a whole is the maritime environment which is the most exposed to man-made eutrophication. For instance, nitrate loads to coastal waters off Brittany (France) have increased 10 times (from 3 to s 30mg L-1NO3) during the four last decades. Eutrophication of this coastal zone is now a recurrent problem, more and more worrying. This eutrophication exhibits two main forms : " green tides ", which are caused by local proliferations and stranding of green macro-algae (particularly the Ulva species) in nitrogen-enriched areas ; phytoplanktonic blooms, which are responsible for coloured water events, toxic species can be present (Pseudo-Nitzschia, Alexandrium, Dinophysis), and induce banning of shellfish consumption. The objectives of this study are to assess the respective role of various rivers (especially the Loire and the Vilaine) in the eutrophication of the Brittany shelf ecosystem and test the impact of nitrogen enrichment in the triggering of Pseudo-Nitzchia toxicity. For these purposes, a coupled hydrodynamical/ biogeochemical 3D model has been developed and validated against past measured time-series and satellite images. After a brief analysis of primary production over the Brittany shelf under different conditions, we show a description of the real time adaptation of this model. Daily results are currently presented in real time on www.previmer.org web site. The inability of the model to correctly simulate near shore phytoplankton is worsened in this model by the fact that the turbidity field used is a climatological one, made by satellite images averaged on a decadal basis. First, near shore pixels of satellite images are scarcely reliable, secondly a climatological mean cannot represent the sudden bursts or drops of the real turbidity, highly dependent on the actual sea-state : this can explain also why the model at this moment fails to reproduce a sudden bloom occurring in a short period of sunny and calm weather. The simulated Pseudo-Nitzschia biomass and induced risk of toxicity in the water column cannot really be validated offshore, because monitoring measurements are available only near the coast, and deal only with toxicity in benthic filter feeders. To get temporarily rid of that problem, an interesting improvement would be to add to the operational model the bio-accumulation of toxin in the shellfishes : simulated concentrations in shellfish fresh would become directly comparable with usual measurements of the monitoring networks. Our model points out the important impact of Loire river loads on the primary production on the western and southern Brittany. This result is crucial for administrations in charge of reducing the terrestrial loadings responsible for eutrophication, because it can delay reduction programs on small tributaries until the main input from the Loire has been significantly reduced. A question arises, about the reliability of the haline stratification in the model, because the horizontal extent of the Loire plume will be enhanced by a stronger stratification.
L'eutrophisation des milieux marins côtiers, de plus en plus importante, représente un des impacts majeurs des activités humaines sur l'environnement. Les phénomènes d'eutrophisation sont en constante augmentation ; ces dernières décennies ont vu le nombre de sites touchés augmenter de par le monde. La bande côtière bretonne est particulièrement concernée par ce phénomène. L'eutrophisation s'y manifeste de deux façons : "Des phénomènes de marée vertes, très localisées, qui sont provoqués par la croissance excessive et l'échouage de macro-algues du genre Ulva dans ces zones riches en azote ; Des blooms de phytoplancton à l'origine des phénomènes d'eaux colorées, qui peuvent aussi provoquer des interdictions de consommation de coquillages lorsque les espèces mises en jeu sont toxiques (Pseudo-Nitzschia, Alexandrium, Dinophysis). L'objectif de ce travail est multiple : il vise à mettre en évidence et à comprendre l'impact et le rôle des apports en nutriments sur la production primaire et l'eutrophisation des milieux côtiers. Ce travail a aussi pour ambition l'identification et la compréhension des causes des phénomènes d'eutrophisation et permettre ainsi d'apporter des solutions ou des pistes d'amélioration. En n, il a aussi un objectif de prévision à court terme de l'état biologique sur la zone. Pour atteindre ces objectifs, un modèle en temps réel a été mis en oeuvre. Les résultats de simulations numériques et de mesures satellitaires sont présentés sur internet : www.previmer.org. L'outil principal de ce travail est un modèle couplé physique/biogéochimie. La partie hydrodynamique est fournie par le code Mars3D (3D hydrodynamical Model for Application at Regional Scale) développé à IFREMER. Au code hydrodynamique Mars3D est couplé le modèle des cycles de l'azote, du phosphore et du silicium d'IFREMER. Le modèle couplé permet de simuler en 3 dimensions et de manière dynamique les courants, le brassage horizontal et vertical, les champs de température et de salinité, mais aussi les principaux cycles de nutriments, reproduisant ainsi les conditions déterminantes de la production primaire. La croissance des algues est modélisée, et nous permet de voir l'influence des panaches de dilution des principales rivières bretonnes sur leur croissance. Les diffcultés du modèle à correctement simuler les concentrations en phytoplancton près des zones côtières, sont probablement dues à l'utilisation d'une climatologie de concentration en matière en suspension fondée sur des données satellitaires. Tout d'abord, les pixels côtiers des images satellitaires sont entachés d'erreurs, ensuite une climatologie n'est pas capable de représenter les apports soudains des fleuves lors des crues. Cela peut expliquer l'incapacité du modèle a représenter certains blooms liés à des périodes ensoleilées et calmes. A ce modèle de base nous avons ajouté un genre spécifique de phytoplancton : le genre Pseudo-Nitzschia. Certaines espèces de Pseudo-Nitzschia sont réputées toxiques. En effet, ce phytoplancton a la capacité de synthétiser une toxine : l'acide domoïque. Cette toxine est responsable du syndrome ASP (Amnesic Shellfish Poisoning). Le modèle reproduit globalement les mêmes zones de toxicité que les mesures du REPHY, et donne des résultats encourageants. L'étude montre que la Loire influence une large partie de la bande côtière bretonne ; son panache remonte jusqu'au nord de la mer d'Iroise, et contribue pour une grande part à l'enrichissement du sud et de l'ouest de la Bretagne. Le traçage de l'azote en provenance de la Loire au sein des cycles biogéochimiques nous a permis de quantifier cet enrichissement.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00015/12603/9481.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00015/12603/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : During the SEDIFAN 1 cruise we surveyed the bathymetry and the acoustic properties of the surface sediment of the Celtic Deep Sea Fan. We also collected Kullenberg cores in order to study recent sedimentary processes. From the bathymetry survey it is relatively easy to recognize the main areas of modern fan. The upper fan included a large sedimentary ridge which constitutes the right levee of the prominent meandering Whittard valley. After its confluence with the Shamrock valley the course of the Whittard valley is abruptly deflected to the south. At a short distance to the south the valley divides into two upper-fan channels, the Celtic channel to the west being the deeper one. This point constitutes the centre of a radiating pattern which is developed on a 150 degrees quadrant and a radius of about 100 km. The acoustic imagery displays contrasted features, related to change in lithology within the first metre beneath the sea bottom and to the sea floor roughness. The Austell ridge exhibits a contrasted pattern of elongated areas with high and low acoustic backscattering levels. This pattern is related to the development of abyssal dunes, the amplitude of which is of metric order. Particularly remarkable is a lobe-shaped low back-scattering area in the western part of the middle fan, also noteworthy are a lineated facies to the west and a braided facies to the east of the fan. The laminated silty-clayey sequences deposited on the Whittard ridge and on the Trevelyan levee were deposited during the deglaciation. We interpret these as turbidity currents overflow deposits from the Whittard valley. At the end of isotopic stage 3 and during stage 2, the English Channel was a large plain flooded by the Channel River. During this period a broad delta developed at 100 m below the present-day depth and a wide spectrum of material was bound to be supplied to the deep sea and contributed particularly to the deposition of the Whittard ridge silty-clayey sequences. The stage 2 deposits are characterized by rhythmic levels enriched in monosulfides. These types of deposits are common in areas affected by fluvial discharges. Excluding the sedimentary ridge and the channel levees the surface deposits sampled with the Kullenberg corer are sandy. These sands are deposited in various contexts on the interfluve between the western and eastern channels and at channel mouths. They were emplaced during high sea level stands as a result of high energy gravity processes. The precise sources of these sands have not yet been identified, however benthic foraminifers from included ooze pebbles have living depths of between 500 and 1 000 m. The gravity processes which eroded this marry ooze may have been triggered on the upper slope. The Celtic shelf is presently a high energy platform where the conjunction of storms and spring tides call lead to enhanced sediment transport from near-shore to the deep sea. The relict or palimpsest deposits of the glacial delta also constitute a large reservoir of sandy material which can also be subject to reworking.
Le programme Enam 2 (European North Atlantic Margin) concerne l'étude des processus sédimentaires quaternaires du Spitzberg au golfe de Gascogne. Dans le cadre de ce programme, la reconnaissance de l'Éventail profond celtique était l'objectif de la campagne Sedifan 1 au cours de laquelle nous avons établi la morphologie de l'éventail et obtenu une image acoustique des fonds sédimentaires. La morphologie permet de mettre en évidence une organisation en éventail. On note aussi le développement remarquable d'une ride sédimentaire au niveau de l'éventail supérieur. Les sédiments prélevés révèlent la présence de dépôts sableux, témoins d'une activité récente qui pourrait être liée à l'importance de l'hydrodynamisme sur les Grands Bancs de la plate-forme celtique.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Elsevier), 2000 , Vol. 23 , N. 1 , P. 109-116

Droits : 2000 Ifremer/CNRS/IRD/Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2000/publication-525.pdf
DOI:10.1016/S0399-1784(00)00116-X
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/525/

Éditeur(s) : Université de la Méditerranée
Résumé : This study was supported by the Atlantic working site of the « Programme National d’Océanographie Côtière » (PNOC, PNEC since 1999). The objectives were (1) to check the existence and to understand the mechanisms of winter phytoplankton blooms in the bay of Biscay influenced by the Gironde waters (2) to determine the limiting nutrient of the primary production associated to these blooms and to follow the seasonal evolution of the limiting nutrient, (3) to understand the consequences of this early limitation on the structuration of algal populations in spring. Since phosphorus was supposed to be the major limiting nutrient of algal growth in the Gironde plume, the different forms of the phosphorus cycle as well as the bacterial compartment, central in this cycle, were also studied in term of stocks and fluxes. The sampling strategy consisted in three cruises in 1998, BIOMET 2 (January), BIOMET 3 (beginning of March), PEGASE (June) and six cruises in 1999, PLAGIA 1 to 6 (late February, late April, late May, late June, the middle of July and the beginning of October). Winter algal blooms, essentially diatoms, were actually observed both in the typical waters of the plume (S < 34.5) and at the limit of the plume and adjacent atlantic oceanic waters (S > 34.5) in the successives years 1998 and 1999. These blooms were initiated by the occurrence of short anticyclonic windows in winter, acting on physical processes which dominate the evolution and characteristics of the Gironde plume (runoff, wind direction and speed) and, ultimately, on the evolution of the depth of the mixed layer (haline stratification) and available light (decrease of turbidity). The algal growth was actually phosphorus limited in the typical waters of the plume at the end of the winter bloom, in spring and became nitrogen and phosphorus limited in summer until the first autumn gales restored the nutritive balance. More oceanic waters (S > 34.5) were probably N+P limited from the end of the winter-the beginning of spring to autumn. Phosphorus limitation of winter blooms, associated with girondine unbalanced nutritive supplies (high NO3/PO4 ratios) favoured the development of small cells at the beginning of spring and the later presence of spring blooms (June 1998, late May 1999) composed of pico and nanophytoplankton (nanoflagellates), instead of typical diatom spring blooms for temperate waters. This size reduction of algal communities is strongthened by the competition between phytoplankton and bacteria for the phosphate uptake, bacteria being more competitives at low concentrations and being phosphorus limited sometimes in spring. The decreasing size of algal cells probably acted on the structuration of the whole food web. The study of the different forms of phosphorus displayed the importance of the Dissolved Organic Phosphorus (DOP) pool. The potential biological lability and the capacity of algae and bacteria to use the DOP in spring when phosphate are undetectable was shown by the very high specific activities of alkaline phosphatases and the very rapid cycling of phosphate monoesters. According to the few estimations of actual phosphatasic activity and phosphate assimilation fluxes, the hydrolysis of DOP associated with the coupled assimilation of liberated phosphate would represent 91 to 99 % of the phosphorus fluxes into algal and bacterial cells when phosphate were exhausted. In such conditions DOP could satisfy most of microorganisms phosphorus needs.
Cette thèse s’inscrit dans le cadre du Chantier Atlantique du Programme National d’Océanographie Côtière (PNOC, PNEC depuis 1999). Les objectifs de ce travail étaient (1) de vérifier l’existence et comprendre le déterminisme de blooms phytoplanctoniques hivernaux dans les eaux du Golfe de Gascogne influencées par la Gironde, (2) de préciser le facteur limitant de la production primaire associée à ces blooms et de suivre l’évolution saisonnière de ce facteur et (3) de comprendre les conséquences de cette limitation précoce sur la structuration des populations algales au printemps. Le phosphore étant supposé être le principal élément limitant de la croissance algale dans le panache de la Gironde, les différentes composantes du cycle du phosphore ainsi que le compartiment bactérien, central dans ce cycle, ont été étudiés en terme de stock et de flux. La stratégie d’échantillonnage a consisté en trois campagnes en 1998, BIOMET 2 (janvier), BIOMET 3 (début mars), PEGASE (juin) et six campagnes en 1999, PLAGIA 1 à 6 (fin février, fin avril, fin mai, fin juin, mi-juillet et début octobre). Des efflorescences algales hivernales, constituées essentiellement de diatomées, ont effectivement été observées de façon récurrente dans les eaux typiques du panache (S < 34,5) et à la limite du panache et des eaux océaniques atlantiques adjacentes (S > 34,5) au cours des deux années successives 1998 et 1999. Ces blooms ont été engendrés par l’apparition de courtes fenêtres anticycloniques en période hivernale, ces fenêtres interférant sur les processus physiques qui prévalent sur l’évolution et les caractéristiques du panache de la Gironde (régime des débits, orientation et force du vent) et, de façon ultime, sur l’évolution de la profondeur de la couche de mélange (halostratification) et la disponibilité en lumière (diminution de la turbidité). La croissance algale était limitée par le phosphore dans les eaux typiques du panache à la fin du bloom hivernal, au printemps et devint limitée en azote et en phosphore en période estivale et ceci jusqu’à ce que les premières tempêtes automnales rétablissent l’équilibre nutritif des eaux. Les eaux à caractère plus océanique (S > 34,5) étaient plus probablement limitées par N+P dès la fin de l’hiverdébut du printemps et ce jusqu’à l’automne. La limitation des blooms hivernaux par le phosphore, associée à des apports nutritifs girondins déséquilibrés en phosphate (rapports NO3/PO4 élevés) a favorisé le développement de cellules de petite taille au début du printemps et la présence ultérieure de blooms printaniers (juin 1998, fin mai 1999) composés de pico- et de nanophytoplancton (nanoflagellés), blooms « atypiques » pour des eaux tempérées à cette saison. Cette structuration des communautés algales est renforcée par la compétition entre le phytoplancton et les bactéries pour l’acquisition du phosphate, les bactéries étant plus compétitives aux faibles teneurs en phosphate et pouvant être elles-mêmes limitées par le phosphore à certains moments du printemps. La diminution de taille des cellules algales a probablement une incidence sur la structure de taille de l’ensemble du réseau trophique. L’étude des différentes composantes du phosphore montre l’importance du pool de Phosphore Organique Dissous (POD), sa labilité biologique potentielle et la capacité des communautés algales et bactériennes à utiliser ce pool au printemps quand les phosphates sont indétectables (activités spécifiques des phosphatases alcalines très élevées, recyclage très rapide des monoesters de phosphate). Au vu des quelques estimations de l’activité phosphatasique réelle et des flux d’assimilation de phosphate, l’hydrolyse du POD associée à l’assimilation couplée du phosphate libéré représenterait 91 à 99 % des flux de phosphore vers les cellules algales et bactériennes, quand les phosphates du milieu sont déficients. Dans de telles conditions, le POD pourrait satisfaire l’essentiel des besoins des microorganismes en phosphore.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00013/12463/9298.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00013/12463/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : Analysis of new high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles, chirp profiles and previously published sidescan data, together with piston cores on the Danube Fan provide new insight into the recent sedimentation processes in the deep northwestern Black Sea.The latest channel-levee system on the Danube Fan developed probably during the Neoeuxinian lowstand (oxygene isotope stage 2) in a semi-freshwater basin with a water level about 100 m lower than today. Sediment supplied by the Danube was transported to the deep basin through the Viteaz Canyon, which was directly connected to the leveed channel of this system on the middle slope. Channel avulsion was common in the middle fan, as indicated by four main phases of bifurcation. Each phase developed after the same pattern: breaching of the lower and narrower left levee by turbidity currents, building of a unit of High Amplitude Reflection Packets (HARP) by the unchannelized flow while the former channel was abandoned, followed by initiation of a new meandering leveed channel. The northward migration through successive bifurcations is influenced by the asymmetry between levees, hence by the Coriolis effect. In the lower fan where the levees became too low to maintain a stable pathway for the turbiditic flows, channel migration occurred. Locations of HARPs and channels after bifurcation are controlled by the pre-existing bathymetry. Sedimentary deposits are confined between the high levees of unit 0 (the initial phase of the youngest channel-levee system) to the south, and the steep relief of the Dniepr Fan to the north.The HARPs of the most recent phase of avulsion are the most severely constrained by local topography and form a very narrow elongate structure that is at most half as thick as the previous HARPs. Their distal part is not covered by channel-levee systems and is visible both on sidescan mosaics and on chirp profiles and was sampled in core BLKS 98-20.Sea level controlled fan activity but the evolution of the last channel-levee system with several bifurcations during a single sea level lowstand suggests that the primary control of channel avulsion and sand delivery is probably autocyclic.The presence of important HARP sand bodies in the mud-rich Danube Fan is presumed by analogy with a similar seismic facies on the Amazon Fan and indicated by the sands cored in BLKS98-20. However, only drilling of the HARP units could verify this interpretation.
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2001-09 , Vol. 179 , N. 1-2 , P. 25-37

Droits : 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2001/publication-474.pdf
DOI:10.1016/S0025-3227(01)00197-9
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/474/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier Sci Ltd
Résumé : A detailed morphological analysis of the outer shelf and continental slope of the Western Gulf of Lion is presented, based on swath bathymetry data together with sub-bottom profiles and high resolution seismic reflection profiles. These data reveal two main erosive features, of very different dimensions: the axial incision and the canyon's major valley. The height of axial incisions' flanks with respect to the canyon deepest point (the thalweg) ranges from 40 to 150 m. It creates a small axial erosive path within the canyon's major valley, which is typically bounded by flanks of more than 700 m in height. We interpret the axial incision observed in the sea floor as the imprint of turbidity currents that eroded the floor of canyons during phases of connection to rivers (hyperpycnal turbidity current). Such currents are most likely to have formed during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) as both proximity of the shoreline (due to the lowstand of sea level) and high detrital sediment supply (due to glacial abrasion upstream) increased the flow of sediments delivered to the canyon heads. Fossil axial incisions, observed in seismic lines, are related to equivalent conditions. The axial incision, however, has a key influence on canyon evolution as it triggers mass wasting of different sizes that affect the canyon's major valley (head and flanks). We interpret the geometry of the canyon's major valley as the result of recurrent activity of axial incisions. These periods of activity occurred during low sea levels at glacial maxima and show a cyclicity of 100,000 years for the last 400,000 years.
Marine And Petroleum Geology (0264-8172) (Elsevier Sci Ltd), 2005-06 , Vol. 22 , N. 6-7 , P. 805-826

Droits : 2005 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2005/publication-353.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.marpetgeo.2005.03.011
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/353/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : Fault zones are major discontinuities in sedimentary basins. Understanding their role on fluid migrations is an essential issue to (i) characterize the mechanisms and kinematics of deformation and (ii) to determine the parameters which control the distribution of energetic or mineral resources. This work applies to faulting under a temperature range of 200-250°C, corresponding to that of deeply buried reservoirs as well as potentially seismogenic fault zones. The studied faults are normal faults affecting the “Grès d’Annot” Formation, a Priabonian-Rupelian siliclastic turbidite succession of the Alpine foreland basin. They are located in two distinct areas: the Moutière-Restefond area in the eastern part of the basin and the Estrop area in the western part. Vitrinite reflectance outside fault zones indicates maximal temperatures of 240-260°C at Moutière-Restefond and 170-200°C at Estrop, i.e. burial depths around 8 km and 6 km, respectively, assuming a mean geothermal gradient of 30°C/km. Burial was due to underthrusting below the Embrunais-Ubaye Alpine nappes, the difference in burial between the two areas traducing the westward taper of the nappe front.The studied faults affect alternating arkosic sandstone beds and pelite layers with offsets from centimeters to decameters. Two types of core zones are recognized: (1) the foliated core zones of the Moutière-Restefond area, where deformation dominated by pressure solution and synkinematic phyllosilicate neoformation resulted in a foliated fabric, and (2) the core zones of the Estrop area, characterized by dilatant quartz-mineralized veins and breccia. Fault and host rock petrophysical properties were measured on drill plugs, using the water porosity technique and nitrogen permeability technique under 2 Mpa of confining pressure. In the Moutière-Restefond fault zones, plug axes were oriented in three orthogonal directions corresponding to the main deformation axes (X, Y, Z) of the foliated arkose to characterize the effect of structural anisotropy. In the Estrop fault zones, where deformation does not show equivalent anisotropy, the plug axes were oriented according to the main fault plane orientation (i.e., parallel to azimuth, parallel to dip and normal). In each fault zone, the porosity of fault rocks is equivalent to that of host rocks. In the Moutière-Restefond fault zones, the plugs parallel to the X and Z axes of deformation have a permeability similar to that of the host rocks, whereas permeability parallel to the Y axis (i.e. parallel to the foliation and the main fault plane) is one order of magnitude higher. By contrast, the permeability values in the Estrop fault zones are isotropic and equivalent to the host rock values. This study highlights the importance of various types of deformation mechanisms and related fluid-rock interactions in determining different fault rock types within a similar protolith, ultimately controlling distinct petrophysical properties of fault zones.
Les zones de failles constituent des discontinuités majeures dans la croûte supérieure. Ce mémoire s’intéresse aux failles actives à des profondeurs de 5-8 km, i.e. dans des conditions pouvant jouer un rôle important (i) sur le comportement mécanique de de la croûte, en particulier sur son potentiel sismogénique et (ii) sur la compartimentation des réservoirs géologiques profondément enfouis.Les failles étudiées sont des failles normales (rejet jusqu’à 50 mètres) affectant des alternances de bancs de grès arkosiques et de pélites dans les Grès d’Annot, une formation turbiditique d’âge priabonien-rupélien du bassin d’avant-chaine alpin. Les Grès d’Annot ont été enfouis sous les nappes de l’Embrunais-Ubaye peu de temps après leur dépôt et exhumés au Miocène moyen-supérieur. L’étude a été réalisée dans deux secteurs des Alpes de Haute-Provence, (1) le secteur de l’Estrop (chaine des Trois Evéchés, dans la partie occidentale du bassin) et (2) le secteur de Point Vert-Restefond (alentours du col de la Bonette, dans la partie orientale du bassin). La réflectance de la vitrinite dans les Grès d’Annot indique des températures maximales de 160-190°C dans le secteur (1) et de 240-260 °C dans le secteur (2) , soit des profondeurs d’enfouissement de 5-6 km et 8-10 km, respectivement, dans l’hypothèse d’un gradient géothermique moyen de 25-30°C/km. A partir des observations microstructurales, de données d’inclusions de fluides, de modélisations thermodynamiques sur chlorites syncinématiques et des indices de cristallinité de l’illite, on a établi que les failles du secteur (1) ont fonctionné à une température d’environ 200°C pour une pression de 0.6Kbar et celles du secteur (2) dans une gamme de température de 200-220°C et de pression comprise entre 0.6 et 1.1 Kba. L’activité de la faille de Point-Vert a été datée par la méthode 40Ar/39Ar au Miocène inférieur (21 Ma). Ces failles sont interprétées comme associées aux premiers stades du soulèvement résultant de l’activité des chevauchements dans le socle sous-jacent.Deux types principaux de roches de failles caractérisent les failles étudiées. Les brèches dilatantes sont majoritaires dans les zones de failles du secteur (1) alors que les arkoses foliées sont majoritaires dans les zones de failles du secteur (2). Les brèches dilatantes témoignent de mécanismes de déformation dominés par la fracturation transgranulaire et la pression-solution des silicates. Ce dernier mécanisme se manifeste principalement par d’abondantes précipitations cycliques de quartz, les stylolites restant peu développés. Les géométries structurales sont associées à l’activation de plans T de Riedel déterminant l’ouverture de relais extensifs et un régime localement dilatant. Nous associons ce type de roche de faille à une faible pression effective au cours de la déformation.La déformation cisaillante exprimée dans les arkoses foliées témoigne de mécanismes de déformation dominés par (i) la fracturation intragranulaire et transgranulaire, (ii) la pressionsolution/ précipitation des silicates, principalement le quartz, (iii) la néoformation de micas blancs liée à l’altération des feldspaths et (iv) la précipitation de chlorite. Ce travail montre également que les transformations minéralogiques liées aux interactions fluide-roche dans la zone de faille (forte augmentation de la proportion des phyllosilicates au dépend des feldspaths) changent radicalementla composition minéralogique de la roche. Nous associons ce type de roche de faille à une forte pression effective au cours de la déformation.La pétrophysique montre que les brèches de failles (secteur 1) ont une perméabilité isotrope et équivalente à celle du protolithe (10-3mD sous 2 MPa de confinement) tandis que les roches foliées (secteur 2) montrent une augmentation de perméabilité (10-2mD) selon l’axe Y de la déformation, d’un ordre de grandeur supérieure aux perméabilités suivant les axes X et Z et dans la roche hôte (10-3mD). Ce drain préférentiel potentiel est associé à l’orientation des phyllosilicates dans la foliation.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382

tel-01310382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01310382/file/Th%C3%A8seCAVAILHES2012.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Fault affecting silicoclastic sediments are commonly enriched in clay minerals. Clays are sensitive to fluid–rock interactions and deformation mechanisms; in this paper, they are used as proxy for fault activity and behavior. The present study focuses on clay mineral assemblages from the Point Vert normal fault zone located in the Annot sandstones, a Priabonian-Rupelian turbidite succession of the Alpine foredeep in SE France. In this area, the Annot sandstones were buried around 6–8 km below the front of Alpine nappes soon after their deposition and exhumed during the middle-late Miocene. The fault affects arkosic sandstone beds alternating with pelitic layers, and displays throw of about thirty meters. The fault core zone comprises intensely foliated sandstones bounding a corridor of gouge about 20 cm thick. The foliated sandstones display clay concentration along S–C structures characterized by dissolution of K-feldspar and their replacement by mica, associated with quartz pressure solution, intense microfracturation and quartz vein precipitation. The gouge is formed by a clayey matrix containing fragments of foliated sandstones and pelites. However, a detailed petrographical investigation suggests complex polyphase deformation processes. Optical and SEM observations show that the clay minerals fraction of all studied rocks (pelites and sandstones from the damage and core zones of the fault) is dominated by white micas and chlorite. These minerals have two different origins: detrital and newly-formed. Detrital micas are identified by their larger shape and their chemical composition with a lower Fe–Mg content than the newly-formed white micas. In the foliated sandstones, newly-formed white micas are concentrated along S–C structures or replace K-feldspar. Both types of newly formed micas display the same chemical composition confirmed microstructural observations suggesting that they formed in the same conditions. They have the following structural formulas: Na0.05 K0.86 (Al 1.77 Fe0.08 Mg0.15) (Si3.22 Al0.78) O10 (OH)2. They are enriched in Fe and Mg compared to the detrital micas. Newly-formed chlorites are associated with micas along the shear planes. According to microprobe analyses, they present the following structural formula: (Al1,48 Fe2,50 Mg1,84) (Si2,82 Al1,18) O10 (OH)8. All these data suggest that these clay minerals are synkinematic and registered the fault activity. In the gouge samples, illite and chlorite are the major clay minerals; smectite is locally present in some samples.In the foliated sandstones, Kubler Index (KI) ((001) XRD peak width at half height) data and thermodynamic calculations from synkinematic chlorite chemistry suggest that the main fault deformation occurred under temperatures around 220 °C (diagenesis to anchizone boundary). KI measured on pelites and sandstones from the hanging and footwall, display similar values coherent with the maximal burial temperature of the Annot sandstones in this area. The gouge samples have a higher KI index, which could be explained by a reactivation of the fault at lower temperatures during the exhumation of the Annot sandstones formation
ISSN: 0191-8141

hal-01172423
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01172423
DOI : 10.1016/j.jsg.2015.03.012

Éditeur(s) : Springer
Résumé : The Balearic Basin is a young basin composed of thick Plio-Quaternary sediments, including active gravity sedimentation. During the Quaternary, gravity processes deposited (1) turbidite systems, either as symmetrical fans (Petit-Rhone and Valencia fans) or asymmetrical ridges (Marseille-Planier, Grand- Rhone and Pyreneo-Languedocian ridges) and (2) several mass-transport deposits, indicating recurrent sedimentary failures of the margin. This paper synthesizes previous works and proposes a chronological sedimentary evolution for the basin. Except for the last 20 ka, the chronostratigraphy remains poorly constrained but should soon be established for the last 500 ka, based on the PROMESS1 drillings on the outer shelf of the Gulf of Lions, and hopefully for the last 30 Ma, based on ultra-deep drilling in the deep basin from aboard the Chikyu research vessel (IODP proposal Pre699).
Geo-Marine Letters (0276-0460) (Springer), 2006-12 , Vol. 26 , N. 6 , P. 347-359

Droits : 2006 Springer Science+Business Media
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-2171.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s00367-006-0044-0
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2171/

Éditeur(s) : Université de Bucarest - Université de Bretagne occidentale
Résumé : This study is focusing on the architecture and recent sedimentary evolution of the Danube channel, the youngest channel-levee system in the Danube deep-sea fan. The study was conducted as part of the BlaSON French-Romanian Project, and combined high-resolution seismic-reflection profiles and chirp profiles with multibeam bathymetry and piston cores. This data set was acquired in 1998 during a joint survey IFREMER-GeoEcoMar of the north-western Black Sea. Previous seismic and acoustic data were also used. The Danube deep-sea fan is a large passive-margin mud-rich fan. Like the other systems of this type (Amazon fan, Mississippi fan or Indus fan) the Danube fan consists of stacked channel-levee systems intercalated with mass-transport deposits. Seismic and sedimentary facies in the Danube fan are similar to those identified in most of the mud-rich systems. Nevertheless, the Danube fan is distinguished by a specific feature: its development in a freshwater environment. This is due to the peculiar water-level history of the Black Sea controlled by the link to the Mediterranean through the Strait of Bosphorus and the Sea of Marmara. This connexion was successively interrupted (during sea level lowstands) and re-established (when the sea level was rising above the Bosphorus). Temporary absence of marine water influx during lowstands together with large freshwater inputs from the Danube and other major rivers changed the Black Sea into a freshwater lake during times of fan activity. This peculiarity possibly favourised the development of hyperpycnal flow at the Danube mouth and the initiation of turbidity currents in the deep-sea fan. The Danube channel is directly connected to the large shelf-indenting Danube canyon (also known as Viteaz canyon). The Danube canyon is deeply incised into the shelf margin for 26 km landward of the shelfbreak. During lowstands this canyon acted as the most important path for sediment supply to the deep sea in this part of the continental margin. It consists of a main trough with steep flanks, and a meandering thalweg cut into the flat canyon floor, attesting for the development of the canyon by erosion in the entrenched axial thalweg. Sections with specific morphology, orientation and gradient identified along the canyon, are interpreted as phases of landward expansion of the canyon. Internal structure of the canyon shows several erosional surfaces, which indicate that the present morphology of the canyon is the result of its polyphasic evolution. Instability in the zone of the canyon is related to the important sediment supply at the Danube mouth, to the presence of the gas in the surficial sediment, and possibly under a structural control. The upper part of the Danube channel (between the Danube canyon and ~1400 m depth) consists in a single leveed-channel that has undergone significant overbank deposition, as attested by the well-developed levees. The levees are strongly asymmetrical, being higher and wider on the right-hand side looking downstream. This type of asymmetry is rather common in deep-sea fans, and is generally attributed to the Coriolis effect (Menard, 1955). The channel is slightly sinuous, partially filled and incised by an entrenched thalweg, connected to the axial thalweg of the Danube canyon. Detailed seismic investigation inside the channel trough documented several depositional phases within the channel fill, separated by erosional surfaces. These surfaces are associated with distinct terraces identified on the multibeam bathymetry, that can be followed downward along the main trough axis. The valley fill deposits (where not removed by the subsequent erosional event) show an axial HAR (High Amplitude Reflections) seismic facies with lateral lower amplitude continuous reflections consisting in a levee facies, as proved by sampling. This indicates that filling up was associated with flow within the channel, and not with interruption of fan activity. On the middle slope below 1400 m, this single channel bifurcates through repeated avulsions. As a result, several highly meandering channels developed. The onlap relationships between these channels indicate that only one channel was active at a time. Each phase of avulsion resulted in a depositional unit consisting in a basal unchannelized lobe defined as High Amplitude Reflection Packets (HARP, Flood et al., 1991) that underlies a channel-levee system. The deposition of HARPs was associated with the readjustment of the longitudinal profile of the channel after the breaching of a levee, which resulted in remobilization of upslope channel deposits and eroded levees. When this adjustment was complete, erosion ceased and levees began to develop above the HARPs (Pirmez et al., 1997). All the identified phases of avulsion followed the same pattern: (1) breaching of the lower and narrower left levee; (2) building of a unit of High Amplitude Reflector Packets (HARP) basinward of the bifurcation point by the unchannelized flow, while the former channel was abandoned; and (3) initiation of a new meandering leveed channel. The northward migration of the resulting units through repeated bifurcations is influenced by the asymmetry between levees (hence by the Coriolis effect), and confined between the high levees of the initial phase of the Danube channel (to the south) and the steep relief of the Dniepr fan (to the north). Structure of the fan valley fill indicate that the erosional surfaces inside the upper channel could be formed in response of successive avulsions, by the adjustment of the longitudinal profile of the channel following the breaching of a levee wall. Sediments removed by erosion formed the HARP lobes basinward of the avulsion point. When this adjustment was complete, a channel-levee system developed downward of the bifurcation, overlying the HARPs, but also upward of this point, as a confined channel-levee system inside the erosional trough of the fan valley. Fluvial incisions identified on the continental shelf, together with the coastline location during the last active period of the Danube channel, indicated that the paleo-Danube was directed towards the head of the Danube canyon. Paleo-Danube mouth was fairly close (ca. 10 km) to the Danube canyon, supplying sediment to the Danube channel. Furthermore, hyperpycnal flow probably prevailed in the freshwater environment that characterized the Black Sea during times of fan activity. These conditions would have enabled the development of a quasi-continuous river-canyon-deep-sea fan system, ensuring the effective transfer of the sediment between the coastal zone and the deep sea.
Ce travail est consacré à l'étude de l'architecture et de l'évolution sédimentaire récente de l'éventail profond du Danube, en particulier de son dernier système chenal-levée: le chenal du Danube. L'étude a été réalisée dans le cadre du projet de coopération franco-roumaine BlaSON, à partir des données sismiques, bathymétriques-acoustiques et sédimentologiques acquises en 1998 lors d'une campagne en mer Noire réalisée par IFREMER et GeoEcoMar. Des données sismiques et acoustiques antérieures ont été également utilisées. L'éventail profond du Danube s'enserre dans la catégorie des grands éventails vaseux. Comme les autres systèmes de ce genre (tel que les éventails de l'Amazone, du Mississippi ou de l'Indus) il est constitué d'une succession de systèmes chenaux-levées intercalés avec des dépôts de transport en masse. Le fonctionnement de l'éventail était conditionné par la baisse du niveau marin lors des périodes glaciaires. Ses faciès sismiques et sédimentaires s'apparentent aux faciès qui caractérisent la plupart des éventails de ce type. L'éventail du Danube constitue néanmoins un cas particulier parmi les autres systèmes étudiés, du fait de son fonctionnement dans un bassin lacustre. Ceci est dû à la situation spécifique de la mer Noire dont la connexion avec la Méditerranée, par le détroit de Bosphore et la mer de Marmara, a été successivement interrompue (au cours de périodes de bas niveau) et reprise (quand le niveau marin remontait en dépassant le seuil du Bosphore). L'absence de l'apport d'eau salée pendant les périodes glaciaires, associée avec l'augmentation de l'apport fluvial, ont déterminé l'installation d'un milieu d'eau douce dans la mer Noire à chaque fois que la baisse du niveau permettait la reprise du fonctionnement de l'éventail profond. Cette situation particulière aurait favorisé la formation des courants hyperpycnaux à l'embouchure d'un fleuve du débit du Danube qui déversait ses eaux turbides dans un bassin lacustre, et aurait donc influencé l'apparition de courants de turbidité dans l'éventail profond. Le chenal du Danube s'est développé sur la pente continentale en prolongation du canyon du Danube (ou Viteaz) auquel il est directement connecté. Le canyon est incisé de manière significative (26 km) dans la plate-forme continentale. Au cours de bas-niveaux marins il constituait la principale voie de transfert des sédiments terrigènes vers le bassin profond dans cette partie de la marge. Le canyon est constitué par une entaille avec des flancs abrupts et un talweg axial incisé, qui montre l'importance du processus d'érosion du fond pour le développement du canyon. Les segments qui ont été identifiés le long du canyon, avec des morphologies, des orientations et des pentes spécifiques, sont interprétés comme des phases d'avancement du canyon vers la côte. Plusieurs incisions sont visibles dans la structure interne du canyon et témoignent que la morphologie actuelle du canyon est le résultat de son évolution polyphasée. L'instabilité de la zone du canyon est en relation avec les apports sédimentaires importants à l'embouchure du Danube, avec la présence du gaz dans les sédiments superficiels, et possiblement sous un contrôle structural. Sur la pente supérieure (entre le canyon du Danube et environ 1400 m de profondeur) le chenal du Danube présente des levées bien développées et fortement asymétriques, avec la levée droite plus haute et plus large que la levée gauche. Ce type d'asymétrie, fréquemment décrit dans les éventails profonds est généralement attribué à l'effet Coriolis (Menard, 1955). Le chenal est légèrement sinueux, partiellement comblé et incisé par un talweg axial qui représente la continuation sur la pente du talweg incisé dans le canyon du Danube. L'analyse sismique détaillée du remplissage de la vallée montre plusieurs phases de dépôt, séparées par des discontinuités érosives. Ces surfaces d'érosion correspondent à des terrasses emboîtées, relativement parallèles le long de la vallée, visibles dans la bathymétrie. Les dépôts qui constituent le remplissage du chenal présentent un faciès sismique de type HAR (High Amplitude Reflections) dans l'axe du chenal, partiellement (ou parfois totalement) enlevé par les phases d'érosion subséquentes, qui continue latéralement avec des réflexions litées correspondant à un faciès sédimentaire de levée. Le remplissage de la vallée a été donc associé avec des écoulements dans le chenal, et non pas avec l'interruption de son fonctionnement. Sur la pente inférieure, le chenal unique bifurque plusieurs fois par avulsion et forme de nouveaux systèmes chenaux-levées méandriformes. Ces systèmes se succèdent verticalement en onlap, ce qui montre qu'un seul chenal a été actif à la fois. Chaque phase d'avulsion a eu comme résultat la mise en place d'une unité constituée par un lobe défini comme "High Amplitude Reflection Packets" (HARP, Flood et al., 1991) à la base, et un système chenal-levée au sommet. Le dépôt d'un lobe HARP est associé avec de l'érosion dans le chenal en amont du point d'avulsion pour l'ajustement de son profil après la rupture de la levée. Quand le chenal a retrouvé son profil d'équilibre, l'érosion a cessé et des levées ont commencé à se développer au-dessus des HARPs (Pirmez et al., 1997). Toutes les phases d'avulsion se sont développées d'après le même modèle: (1) la rupture de la levée gauche, plus étroite; (2) le dépôt d'un lobe HARP par les écoulements non-chenalisés en aval du point d'avulsion, et l'abandon de l'ancien chenal; (3) l'initiation d'un nouveau système chenal-levée. La migration systématique du chenal vers le nord est influencée par l'assymétrie des levées (donc par la force de Coriolis), et confinée entre les grandes levées de la phase initiale du chenal du Danube, au sud, et le relief abrupt de l'éventail du Dniepr au nord. La structure sédimentaire du chenal du Danube indique que les surfaces érosives à l'intérieur du remplissage du chenal se seraient formées en réponse aux avulsions, du fait de l'ajustement du profil du chenal après la rupture d'une levée. Les sédiments du chenal érodés au cours de ce processus ont formé les lobes HARP. Quand le chenal a retrouvé son profil d'équilibre, un système chenal-levée s'est développé en aval du point d'avulsion au dessus du lobe HARP, mais aussi en amont de ce point, où il se trouve confiné dans la vallée érosive. Les incisions fluviatiles identifiés sur la plate-forme continentale et la position de la ligne de côte pendant la dernière période d'activité du chenal du Danube montrent que le paléo-Danube se dirigeait directement vers la tête du canyon du Danube. Son embouchure était située à proximité du canyon, qui alimentait le chenal du Danube. Cependant, les courants hyperpycnaux devaient prévaloir dans le milieu de salinité réduite qui caractérisait la mer Noire lors des périodes actives de l'éventail. Ces conditions auraient favorisé la mise en place d'un système quasi-continu fleuve-canyon-éventail profond, qui contrôlait le transfert des sédiments entre la côte et le bassin profond.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2002/these-1206.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1206/

Éditeur(s) : Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd
Résumé : Quantitative analyses on calcareous nannofossil assemblages on high temporal resolution (600-800 years) have been carried out from Core KC01B in the Ionian Sea (Eastern Mediterranean) throughout Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 13-9, between 500 and 300 ka. This is an interval of considerable climate changes, known as the Mid-Brunhes event, which includes MIS 11, considered as a possible analogue for future interglacial conditions. In the Mediterranean core, the interval is characterized by the dominance of Gephyrocapsa spp., as also known from ocean records. Calcareous nannofossil abundance fluctuations have been interpreted in terms of modification of sea surface primary productivity/water stratification and temperature. Specifically, the increase in abundance of Gephyrocapsa caribbeanica and small Gephyrocapsa coupled with decreases of Florisphaera profunda, Syracosphaera spp. and Rhabdosphaera spp. suggests enhanced primary productivity/mixed surface waters during interglacial stages and at the Terminations, which can be interpreted in terms of interaction between climate changes and mesoscale oceanographic circulation. On the other hand, distributions of Calciosolenia spp., Oolithotus spp. and Umbilicosphaera sibogae, which are in phase with delta O-18 curve showing higher abundances at the lighter values of the marine isotope record, are considered as warm-water indicators. Biotic proxies point to peculiar climate dynamics through the MIS 12-11 transition (i.e. Termination V). High productive, cool, low salinity and turbid surface waters characterize the early MIS 11(421-408 ka) and likely reflect enhanced continental humidity/monsoon activity over North Africa and increased runoff into the basin. A late surface water warming with respect to Termination V is established at about 403 ka, during a period of low insolation forcing, almost coeval with the deposition of sapropel S11. A climate optimum, lasting about 15 ky (403-389 ka), is then recorded during a period of low insolation forcing centred at 398 ka. The later part of MIS 11 is characterized by climate deterioration at about 389 ka. Comparison with results from subtropical to polar Atlantic records suggests a remarkable relation between Mediterranean and Atlantic climate regimes.
Quaternary International (1040-6182) (Pergamon-elsevier Science Ltd), 2013-03 , Vol. 288 , P. 97-111

Droits : 2011 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29194/27593.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.quaint.2011.12.007
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00181/29194/

Éditeur(s) : Springer Berlin / Heidelberg
Résumé : The role of particles in the fate and speciation of trace metals in macrotidal estuaries was studied using a surface complexation model (MOCO). Cadmium was selected as the target metal contaminant due to its reactivity in estuaries: cadmium behavior is mainly controlled by heterogeneous processes (sorption/desorption) related to salinity and suspended matter gradients. Various scenarios of suspended matter distribution according to salinity were simulated. The impact of surface properties (specific surface area, density of surface sites, acido-basic properties, and complexation constant) was evaluated using data collected on particles from the Gironde, Loire, and Seine estuaries. Our results show that particle surface properties, evaluated on the basis of various parameters, are instrumental in "non-conservative" contaminant speciation in the estuarine environment. Their evaluation enables us to understand and simulate, to a large extent, the fate of "Cd-type" contaminants (whose behavior is controlled by competition between sorption and desorption processes). The natural variations of these properties can be responsible for significant modifications of the Cd speciation in the macrotidal estuaries where salinity and SM gradients are very strong.
The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry (1433-6839) (Springer Berlin / Heidelberg), 2006 , Vol. 5H , P. 265-301

Droits : 2006 Springer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-2005.pdf
DOI:10.1007/b89479
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2005/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : International audience
Avec les nouvelles données sur la bathymétrie et la courantologie de cet écosystème et les paramètres physicochimiques étudiés entre février et mai 2007, c'est une actualisation de la zonation biologique établie récemment à partir de l'assemblage de poissons y séjournant qui est proposée dans cette étude. En effet, le volume d'eau renouvelé deux fois par jour à chaque marée (14,8%) combiné à un hydrodynamisme actif et varié contribuent à vivifier la lagune, et apportent des éléments pour une meilleure interprétation des valeurs des indices de bien-être et des gradients des paramètres populationnels de l'ichtyofaune présente. Durant la période étudiée, aucun gradient n'est observé avec les paramètres abiotiques. La caractéristique des eaux est homogène partout dans la lagune, sa colonne d'eau et aux différentes périodes considérées (température: 30,02°C; salinité: 36,16 ‰; pH: 8,29; turbidité: 6,10 mg/L; conductivité: 5,51 S/m; oxygène dissous: 7,18 mg/L; solides dissous: 32,78g/L; osmolarité: 1021,7milliosmoles). Une zonation biologique rectifiée est proposée. Plus conforme à la qualité observée, elle est composée de trois zones, au lieu de quatre, allant de II à IV: la zone II un peu plus étendue au Sud et plus étroite le long de l'île, une zone III dominante sur l'ensemble de la lagune, et une zone IV centrée sur les deux principales dépressions au Sud et à l'Ouest, le haut-fond et sa bordure au Nord-Ouest ainsi que le fond du secteur enclavé au Sud-Ouest.
Proceedings of the 61st Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute
Gosier, Guadeloupe

hal-00755767
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00755767
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00755767/document
https://hal.univ-antilles.fr/hal-00755767/file/GCFI_61_2009_298-306.pdf