Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The distribution and speciation of mercury (Hg) in the water column, the inputs (wet deposition and tributaries) and the outputs (atmospheric evasion and outlet) of an artificial partially anoxic tropical lake (Petit-Sa-Lit reservoir, French Guiana) were investigated oil a seasonal basis in order to appraise the cycling and transformations of this metal. The total mercury (HgT) concentrations in the oxygenated epilimnetic waters averaged 5 +/- 3 pmol L-1 in the unfiltered samples (HgTUNF) and 4 +/- 2 pmol L-1 in the dissolved (HgTD) phase (< 0.45 mu m). On average, the monomethylmercury (MMHg) constituted 8%, 40%, and 18% of the HgT in the dissolved phase, tile particulate suspended matter and in tile unfiltered samples, respectively. Covariant elevated concentrations of particulate MMHg and chlorophyll a in the epilimnion suggest that phytoplankton is ail active component for the MMHg transfer in tile lake. In the anoxic hypolimnion the HgTUNF averages 13 +/- 6 pmol L-1 and tile HgTD 8 +/- 4 pmol L-1. The averages of MMHgP and MMHgD in hypolimnetic waters were two and three times the corresponding values of the epilimnion, 170 +/- 90 pmol g(-1) and 0.9 +/- 0.5 pmol L-1, respectively. In the long dry and wet seasons, at the flooded forest and upstream dam sampling stations, the vertical profiles of MMHgD concentrations accounted for two distinct maxima: one just below the oxycline and the other near the benthic interface. Direct wet atmospheric deposition accounted for 14 moles yr(-1) HgTUNF, with 0.7 moles yr(-1) as MMHgUNF, while circa 76 moles yr(-1) of HgTUNF, with 4.7 moles yr(-1) as MMHgUNF, coming from tributaries. Circa 78 moles (similar to 17% as MMHg) are annually exported through tile dam, while 23 moles yr(-1) of Hg-0 evolve in the atmosphere. A mass balance calculation suggests that the endogenic production of MMHgUNF attained 8.1 moles yr(-1), corresponding to a methylation rate of 0.06% d(-1). As a result, tile Petit-Saut reservoir is a large man-made reactor that has extensively altered mercury speciation in favor of methylated species.
Applied Geochemistry (0883-2927) (Elsevier), 2008-05 , Vol. 23 , N. 5 , P. 1101-1126

Droits : 2008 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2008/publication-4198.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.apgeochem.2007.11.006
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/4198/

Éditeur(s) : Université Bordeaux 1
Résumé : The mercury cycle was explored in the Petit-Saut reservoir / Sinnamary Estuary continuum in French Guiana. Main processes involve (i) photo-induced reduction, (ii) adsorption and desorption at the particle surfaces, (iii) methylating bacterial activity, (iv) precipitation and dissolution of iron oxyhydroxides and sulfides. Sources of mercury to the Petit-Saut reservoir consist of the partly impacted river-tributaries, the atmospheric deposition and the flooded soils or vegetation. Once into the reservoir, divalent mercury undergoes a large spectrum of transformations including speciation and phase changes. We, here, probe these processes and demonstrate that the Petit-Saut reservoir behaves as a privileged site for atmospheric recycling and in situ methylation. At the air / water interface, the mercury evasion exceeds by 50 % the direct atmospheric deposition. The in situ monomethylmercury (MMHg) production mostly occurs at the water-column chemocline and near the benthic interface. It reaches, for the whole reservoir, 8.1 moles yr-1 which corresponds to a 0.06 % d-1 methylation rate. We calculated that the 2003/04 period MMHg outputs from the reservoir to the Sinnamary Estuary averaged 13.5 moles yr-1 while the inputs were 5.4 moles yr-1. The dynamic Sinnamary Estuary is the genuine geochemical reactor of the continuum. There, the divalent mercury undergoes rapid yet profound partitioning among phases, recycling to the atmosphere and methylation processes. Those mostly originate from the long-scale oxygen paucity of the dam discharged waters. The expression of marked redox gradients and the intense organic matter turnover enhance the production of methylable inorganic mercurial species and tend to favor the sulfate reducing bacteria (methylating agents) activity. As a result, the dynamic Sinnamary Estuary exports 60 % more MMHg than it does import: 27 versus 17 moles yr-1. Further at large, in the saline estuary, we determined: (i) a non conservative behavior of dissolved (< 0.2 µm) mercury, (ii) a lowering of the mercury level of particles during mixing with the Amazon plume and (iii) a gradual dilution of the estuarine mercury concentrations by oceanic waters.
La retenue de Petit-Saut et, à l'aval, l'estuaire du Sinnamary sont deux centres d'altération du cycle naturel du mercure. Les processus sont, entre autres, (i) la photoréduction, (ii) la sorption / désorption en surface des particules, (iii) l'activité méthylante des bactéries, (iv) la dissolution / précipitation des oxyhydroxydes et des sulfures de fer. Les sources de mercure vers la retenue sont variées. Elles regroupent, en premier lieu, les affluents (partiellement orpaillés), l'atmosphère, les sols et la végétation ennoyés. Dans la colonne d'eau, les formes divalentes du mercure subissent un train complet de transformations couplant changements de phase et de spéciation. Nos résultats illustrent ces processus et démontrent que la retenue constitue un site privilégié de recyclage vers l'atmosphère et de méthylation. A l'interface air / eau, les exports en mercure de la retenue excèdent de 50 % le dépôt atmosphérique. La production endogène de monométhylmercure (MMHg) a lieu dans des sites particuliers : la chemocline et l'interface benthique. Elle atteint pour l'ensemble de la retenue 8,1 moles a-1 soit un taux de méthylation de 0,06 % j-1. On estime que la retenue exporte vers l'estuaire du Sinnamary 13,5 moles a-1 de MMHg alors qu'elle n'importe que 5,4 moles a-1. L'estuaire dynamique du Sinnamary constitue le véritable réacteur chimique du système fonctionnant en liaison avec celui de la retenue. Le mercure y décrit un cycle rapide aux processus de partition, de recyclage et de méthylation marqués. Ces processus résultent de l'oxygénation incomplète et durable des masses d'eau anoxiques exportées par la retenue de Petit-Saut. L'expression de gradients rédox prononcés conjuguée à un intense recyclage de la matière organique y favorise la production de formes méthylables de mercure ainsi que l'activité des bactéries sulfatoréductrices (agents de la méthylation). C'est pourquoi, l'estuaire dynamique du Sinnamary exporte 60 % plus de MMHg qu'il n'importe : 27 contre 17 moles a-1. Plus en aval, dans l'estuaire salin, nous avons mis en évidence : (i) un comportement non conservatif du mercure dissous, (ii) un appauvrissement du mercure des particules suite au mélange avec le panache de l'Amazone et (iii) une dilution des concentrations par les masses d'eau océaniques.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/these-1508.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/1508/

Éditeur(s) : Oxford university press
Résumé : There is increasing evidence from previous studies, and from fishers' observations, that coastal dolphins use fishing nets as an easily accessible feeding source, damaging or depredating fish caught in the nets. This study investigates the impact of dolphin depredation on artisanal trammelnets by analysing the catch composition of 614 artisanal fishing operations in the Bonifacio Strait Natural Reserve (France). Common bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) attacked, on average, 12.4% of the nets and damaged 8.3% of the catch. However, attacked nets were characterized by statistically significantly higher catch per unit effort than unattacked ones. Catch composition also differed significantly after dolphin attacks; bentho-pelagic fish were more represented and reef-associated fish less represented. Our results suggest that (i) dolphins are attracted by high fish densities in the fishing area and/or nets, and (ii) their attacks induce specific fish-avoidance behaviour, according to the fish position in the water column. Although dolphins depredate a small part of the catch, damage to nets, not yet assessed in this area, could weaken the benefits that reserves can provide to artisanal fisheries.
ICES Journal of Marine Science (1054-3139) (Oxford university press), 2009-05 , Vol. 66 , N. 4 , P. 699-707

Droits : 2009 ICES/CIEM. Oxford Journals
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2009/publication-6808.pdf
DOI:10.1093/icesjms/fsp036
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/6808/

Éditeur(s) : Harper & brothers Harper & brothers ( [New York] : )
Résumé : A hurricane and tsunami, only two weeks apart, destroyed most ships and boats in Charlotte Amalie's harbor. On November 18, 1867, just a little over two weeks after St. Thomas had been hit by a deadly hurricane, two earthquakes, ten minutes apart, shook the Anegada Trough between St. Croix and St. Thomas. Within minutes a tsunami swept the southern shore of St. Thomas, with two waves 14 to 20 ft high crashing into Charlotte Amalie. Meanwhile, even higher waves struck Fredriksted, St. Croix, sending water as far as 298 ft. inland. At least 23 drowned. This illustration may show damage from the earthquake as well as the hurricane.
Article beneath illustration: The St. Thomas wrecks. Illustration from Harper's Weekly (1867 December 28), p. 829.
St. Thomas (V.I.)

Droits : All rights reserved by the source institution.
2003-269-6
2004-222-3

Éditeur(s) : EDP Sciences
Résumé : The present work was carried out on the hydroelectric reservoir Petit-Saut on the Sinnamary river in French Guiana. Measurements were performed during the wet and dry seasons along a longitudinal gradient, from upstream of the reservoir in two inflow rivers, to the Sinnamary estuary downstream of the dam. Gold extraction has led to a marked increase in suspended matter and total mercury (HgT) in one of the rivers. Dissolved monomethylmercury (MMHg) measured in surface waters were similar for both rivers: 0.03-0.05 ng l(-1) (1.0-1.7% of the dissolved HgT). These results indicate similar methylation efficiency and/or transfer of MMHg into the dissolved fraction of the water column, independently of the amounts of inorganic mercury transported. Dissolved MMHg concentrations in surface waters of the reservoir were similar to those in the rivers, but were more than 10 times higher in deep anoxic waters, up to 0.6 ng l(-1) (20 % of dissolved HgT). The MMHg concentration profiles in the water column suggest that methylation occurs mainly in anoxic waters and sediments in relation with the activity of sulfate reducing bacteria. Dissolved MMHg concentrations measured in the Sinnamary at the base of the dam were still high (0.5 - 0.6 ng l(-1); 20 to 35% of the dissolved HgT).
Journal de Physique IV (1155-4339) (EDP Sciences), 2003-05 , Vol. 107 , P. 327-331

Droits : EDP Sciences
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2003/publication-5283.pdf
DOI:10.1051/jp4:20030308
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/5283/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The distribution and speciation of mercury (Hg) in air, rain, and surface waters from the artificial tropical lake of Petit-Saut in French Guiana were investigated during the 2003/04 period. In the air, total gaseous mercury (TGM) at the dam station averaged 12 +/- 2 pmol m(-3) of which > 98% was gaseous elemental mercury (GEM). GEM distribution depicted a day-night cycling with high concentrations (up to 15 pmol m(-3)) at dawn and low concentrations (down to 5 pmol m(-3)) at nightfall. Reactive gaseous mercury (RGM) represented < 1% of the GEM with a mean concentration of 4 3 fmol m(-3). Diel RGM variations were negatively related to GEM. In the rain, the sum of all Hg species in the unfiltered (HgTUNF) averaged 16 +/- 112 pmol L-1. Temporal distribution of HgTUNF exhibited a pattern of high concentrations during the late dry seasons (up to 57.5 pmol L-1) and low concentrations (down to 2.7 pmol L-1) in the course of the wet seasons. Unfiltered reactive (HgRUNF), dissolved gaseous (DGM) and monomethyl (MMHgUNF.) Hg constituted 20, 5 and 5% of HgTUNF, respectively. All measured Hg species were positively related and displayed negative relationships with the pH of the rain. In the reservoir surface waters, dissolved total mercury (HgTD) averaged 3.4 +/- 1.2 pmol L-1 of which 10% consisted of DGM. DGM showed a trend of high concentrations during the dry seasons (480 +/- 270 finol L-1 and lower (230 +/- 130 finol L-1) in the course of the wet seasons. Diel variations included diurnal photo-induced DGM production (of about 60 firiol L-1 h(-1)) coupled to minute to hour oxidation/ reduction cycles (of > 100 firiol L-1 amplitude). Finally, calculated atmospheric Hg inputs to the Petit-Saut reservoir represented 14 mot yr(-1) whereas DGM evasion reached 23 mol yr(-1). Apportionment among forms of Hg deposition indicated that up to 75% of the total Hg invasive flux follows the rainfall pathway. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Science of The Total Environment (0048-9697) (Elsevier), 2007-10 , Vol. 385 , N. 1-3 , P. 132-145

Droits : 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2007/publication-3329.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2007.06.013
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3329/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Chemical Society
Résumé : International audience
The HIWATE (Health Impacts of long-term exposure to disinfection byproducts in drinking WATEr) project was a systematic analysis that combined the epidemiology on adverse pregnancy outcomes and other health effects with long-term exposure to low levels of drinking water disinfection byproducts (DBPs) in the European Union. The present study focused on the relationship of the occurrence and concentration of DBPs with in vitro mammalian cell toxicity. Eleven drinking water samples were collected from five European countries. Each sampling location corresponded with an epidemiological study for the HIWATE program. Over 90 DBPs were identified; the range in the number of DBPs and their levels reflected the diverse collection sites, different disinfection processes, and the different characteristics of the source waters. For each sampling site, chronic mammalian cell cytotoxicity correlated highly with the numbers of DBPs identified and the levels of DBP chemical classes. Although there was a clear difference in the genotoxic responses among the drinking waters, these data did not correlate as well with the chemical analyses. Thus, the agents responsible for the genomic DNA damage observed in the HIWATE samples may be due to unresolved associations of combinations of identified DBPs, unknown emerging DBPs that were not identified, or other toxic water contaminants. This study represents the first to integrate quantitative in vitro toxicological data with analytical chemistry and human epidemiologic outcomes for drinking water DBPs.
ISSN: 0013-936X

hal-00875923
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00875923
DOI : 10.1021/es3024226
PUBMED : 22958121

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley-Blackwell
Résumé : International audience
Respiratory illnesses have been linked to children's exposures to water-damaged homes. Therefore, understanding the microbiome in water-damaged homes is critical to preventing these illnesses. Few studies have quantified bacterial contamination, especially specific species, in water-damaged homes. We collected air and dust samples in twenty-one low-mold homes and twenty-one high-mold homes. The concentrations of three bacteria/genera, Stenotrophomonas maltophilia, Streptomyces sp., and Mycobacterium sp., were measured in air and dust samples using quantitative PCR (QPCR). The concentrations of the bacteria measured in the air samples were not associated with any specific home characteristic based on multiple regression models. However, higher concentrations of S. maltophilia in the dust samples were associated with water damage, that is, with higher floor surface moisture and higher concentrations of moisture-related mold species. The concentrations of Streptomyces and Mycobacterium sp. had similar patterns and may be partially determined by human and animal occupants and outdoor sources of these bacteria.
Indoor Air

hal-00877905
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00877905
DOI : 10.1111/ina.12035
PUBMED : 23397905

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : In this study, we assessed past and present influence of ancient mining activity on metal(loid) enrichment in sediments of a former mining watershed (Gardon River, SE France), that is now industrialized and urbanized. A sedimentary archive and current sediments were characterized combining geochemical analyses, zinc isotopic analyses and sequential extractions. The archive was used to establish local geochemical background and recorded (i) increasing enrichment factors (EFs) for Pb, Zn, Cd, Tl, Hg, As and Sb throughout the industrial era, (ii) a contamination peak in 1976 attributed to a tailings dam failure, and (iii) current levels in 2002 and 2011 similar to those of 1969, except for Sb and Hg, reflecting a persisting contamination pattern. Inter-element relationships and spatial distribution of EF values of current sediments throughout the watershed suggested that both ancient and current contamination had a common origin for Pb, Zn, Cd, Tl and As related to the exploitation of Pb/Zn mineralization while old Sb mines and coal extraction area were the main sources for Sb and Hg respectively. This prevailing mining origin was reflected for Zn by a relatively uniform isotopic composition at δ66Zn = 0.23 ± 0.03‰, although slight decrease from 0.23‰ to 0.18‰ was recorded from upstream to downstream sites along the river course in relation with the contribution of the lighter δ66Zn signature (~ 0.08‰) of acid mine drainage impacted tributaries. Results from sequential extractions revealed that the potential mobility of the studied metal(loid)s varied in the order Sb < Tl ≈ As < Zn < Pb < Cd, with an increase of the mobile pool for Cd, Pb, Zn and to a lesser extent for As and Tl associated to increased enrichment. Altogether, these results tend to demonstrate that ancient mining activity still contributes to metal enrichment in the sediments of the Gardon River and that some of these metals may be mobilized toward the water compartment.
ISSN: 0048-9697

hal-01054163
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01054163
DOI : 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2014.02.078

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Springer Verlag
Résumé : International audience
Peel splitting is a major physiological disorder affecting post-harvest banana quality. This phenomenon occurs only 3-6 days after ripening induction in specific cultivars such as cv. 925 when stored in saturating humidity conditions. In these conditions, Cavendish cultivars (Grande Naine, cv. GN) are not susceptible to splitting. Cvs. 925 and GN were thus investigated to detect possible determinants associated with splitting. Splitting intensity was tentatively found to be associated with an inverse water flux at high relative humidity (RH) through an osmotic peel to pulp water flux resulting from the higher sugar content in the pulp than in the peel. Rheological properties were measured, and although the peel resistance and elasticity in cv. 925 were surprisingly higher than in cv. GN, saturating humidity conditions (100 % RH) substantially reduced the peel resistance. However, the peel epicuticular wax in cv. 925 was clearly thinner than that in cv. GN, thus leading to limitation of peel hydration in cv. GN. Peel splitting in cv. 925 was also associated with a boost in respiration, an increase in oxidative stress markers (H2O2), resulting in an increase in cellular damage markers (MDA, PEL). Overall, our results suggest that peel splitting at high RH in cv. 925 is related to fast decrease peel water content and the induction of high oxidative stress damage.
ISSN: 0137-5881

hal-01545907
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01545907
DOI : 10.1007/s11738-016-2253-0

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
We have measured simultaneously the methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) surface concentrations and water–air fluxes by floating chambers (FC) in the Petit-Saut Reservoir (French Guiana) and its tidal river (Sinnamary River) downstream of the dam, during the two field experiments in wet (May 2003) and dry season (December 2003). The eddy covariance (EC) technique was also used for CO2 fluxes on the lake. The comparison of fluxes obtained by FC and EC showed little discrepancies mainly due to differences in measurements durations which resulted in different average wind speeds. When comparing the gas transfer velocity (k600) for a given wind speed, both methods gave similar results. On the lake and excluding rainy events, we obtained an exponential relationship between k600 and U10, with a significant intercept at 1.7 cm h− 1, probably due to thermal effects. Gas transfer velocity was also positively related to rainfall rates reaching 26.5 cm h−1 for a rainfall rate of 36 mm h− 1. During a 24-h experiment in dry season, rainfall accounted for as much as 25% of the k600. In the river downstream of the dam, k600 values were 3 to 4 times higher than on the lake, and followed a linear relationship with U10.
ISSN: 0924-7963

hal-00519502
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00519502
DOI : 10.1016/j.jmarsys.2006.03.019

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Association of Petroleum Geologists
Résumé : International audience
Determination of the membrane seal capacity of deformation bands is critical for managing geologic reservoirs in porous sandstones. In this study, we have analyzed a cataclastic shear-band network developed in uncemented porous sandstone in Provence, France. Geometrical analyses of the bands show significant differences between three types of bands (single strand, multistrand, and band cluster), sorted by their number of strands, their amount of shear displacement, and their thicknesses. At the microscopic scale, the image-analysis porosities and the grain-size distributions allow definition of three different types of microstructural deformation: damage zone, protocataclastic, and cataclastic. Whereas damage zone and protocataclastic deformations are observed in each type of band, cataclastic strands are observed in clusters and, sometimes, in multistrands. Cataclastic strands are characterized by a porosity reduction of 10 to 25% and a permeability reduction of three to five orders of magnitude compared to the host rock. Field observations of iron hydroxide precipitations around the bands suggest that cataclastic strands were membrane seals to water flow under vadose condition. This study therefore highlights the importance of the degree of cataclasis in shear bands as membrane seals to subsurface fluid flows in sandstone reservoirs.
ISSN: 0149-1423

hal-00766557
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00766557
DOI : 10.1306/04051211097

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : International audience
Chronic liver damage due to viral or chemical agents leads to a repair process resulting in hepatic fibrosis. Fibrosis may lead to cirrhosis, which may progress to liver cancer or a loss of liver function, with an associated risk of liver failure and death. Chlordecone is a chlorinated pesticide used in the 1990s. It is not itself hepatotoxic, but its metabolism in the liver triggers hepatomegaly and potentiates hepatotoxic agents. Chlordecone is now banned, but it persists in soil and water, resulting in an ongoing public health problem in the Caribbean area. We assessed the probable impact of chlordecone on the progression of liver fibrosis in the population of contaminated areas, by developing a mouse model of chronic co-exposure to chlordecone and a hepatotoxic agent, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). After repeated administrations of chlordecone and CCl4 by gavage over a 12-week period, we checked for liver damage in the exposed mice, by determining serum liver transaminase (AST, ALT) levels, histological examinations of the liver and measuring the expression of genes encoding extracellular matrix components. The co-exposure of mice to CCl4 and chlordecone resulted in significant increases in ALT and AST levels. Chlordecone also increased expression of the Col1A2, MMP-2, TIMP-1 and PAI-1 genes in CCl4-treated mice. Finally, we demonstrated, by quantifying areas of collagen deposition and alpha-SMA gene expression, that chlordecone potentiated the hepatic fibrosis induced by CCl4. In conclusion, our data suggest that chlordecone potentiates hepatic fibrosis in mice with CCl4-induced chronic liver injury
ISSN: 0378-4274

hal-01274228
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01274228
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01274228/document
https://hal-univ-rennes1.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01274228/file/Chlordecone%20potentiates%20hepatic%20fibrosis%20%281%29.pdf
DOI : 10.1016/j.toxlet.2016.02.005

Résumé : La thèse est consacrée à la recherche des catastrophes marines (tsunamis, ondes de tempête) dans les Antilles françaises, en utilisant des modèles analytiques et numériques de mécanique des fluides. L'accent est mis sur le développement de modèles de mouvement de glissements de terrain et des vagues causées par ces glissements. Le modèle le plus simple du glissement de terrain «solide block» est utilisé pour évaluer les caractéristiques des flux pyroclastiques du volcan Soufrière-Hills (Montserrat). Un modèle plus complexe de modélisation de glissement de terrain (modèle de Savage-Hutter) a été étudié analytiquement, donnant ainsi une nouvelle famille de solutions exactes décrivant le mouvement de l'écoulement par gravité non linéaire dans une vallée ou dans un canyon sous-marin. Le modèle comprend des ondes simples (Riemann waves),le cas d'un barrage qui cède (dam-break problem), des solutions auto-similaires dans la M-fonne et « chapeaux paraboliques ». Grâce à la théorie linéaire de l'eau peu profonde nous avons étudié le processus de génération de tsunamis par des glissements de terrain de volume variable, se déplaçant à une vitesse variable dans un bassin de profondeur variable. Dans le cas d'un fond marin particulier (cas sans "réflexion"), les phénomènes de résonnance ont été étudiés dans un bassin à profondeur variable. Nous avons utilisé des méthodes numériques pour la résolution non-linéaire des équations des eaux peu profondes afin d'analyser des catastrophes marines réelles (les ondes de tempête causées par le cyclone Lili en 2002, le tsunami volcanique de 2003 à Montserrat) et probables (un tsunami prés des côtes de la Martinique). Des données sur les catastrophes
The dissertation is devoted to research in the field of marine natural hazards (tsunamis, storm surges) in the French West Indies, using analytical and numerical models of fluid mechanics. Emphasis is placed on the development of models of landslide motion and generated tsunami waves. The simple "solid block" model is used to evaluate the characteristics of pyroclastic flow Soufriere Hills volcano (Montserrat). The "fluid model" of a landslide (so called Savage-Hutter model) is studied analytically; within this model a new family of exact solutions that describe the motion of nonlinear gravity flow in a valley or underwater canyon is found: nonlinear Riemann wave, dan break problem, self-similar solutions (M - wave and parabolic cap). In the framework of the linear shallow water theory the process of generation of tsunami waves by landslides of variable volume moving with variable velocity above the basin of variable depth is studied. For the specific bottom profile ("reflectionless" one) the resonant phenomena is investigated in the basin of variable depth. Numerical methods are used to analyze marine hazards: historical (storm surges, caused by Cyclone LILI in 2002; volcanic tsunami 2003 on Montserrat) and possible events (possible tsunami of the coast of Martinique). Various data on marine natural disasters are obtained during field surveys (volcanic tsunami in 2003, stonn surges caused by Hurricane Dean in 2007). Designed catalogs of tsunamis and storm surges are created based on results of numerical modeling and field studies; some statistical analysis is perfomed

http://www.theses.fr/2011AGUY0435/document

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier
Résumé : Different types of fractures and fault rocks occur within the major normal fault zones bordering the NW of the Neogene Penedes basin (NE Spain). In the southwest part of the basin, the main fault is the Baix Penedes fault that places the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous dolomicrites of the footwall in contact with the Miocene siliciclastic sediments of the hangingwall. Within the footwall damage zone, different fracture systems and their respective associated breccias and cements have been recognized. Using a combination of structural, petrologic and geochemical analyses, we show that these fracture systems evolved from mainly tectonic to mainly karstic features during the progressive development and upward propagation of the fault. The earlier fractures and associated breccias represent the initial stages of the fault propagation, when the process zone formed around the fault tip was dominated by dilatant fracturing (fractures 1 and dilatant breccias B1). The fluid involved in this early deformation precipitated the dolomite cement Cl, in equilibrium with the host-rock in a closed hydrogeological system. Localization of frictional processes generated cataclasites and ultracataclasites along distinct second-order faults (fractures 2). In these fractures, the dolomite cement C2 precipitated in relation to the incipient opening of the hydrological system to percolating meteoric waters. The later fractures and associated breccias represent the late stages of the fault propagation. These structures (fractures 3, fractures 4 and the dilatant breccias B2) were formed when the extensional deformation reached the surface, resulting in an increasingly open hydrogeological system. At these stages, deposition of the dolomitic sediment DS and precipitation of the calcite cements C3, C4 and C5 show the circulation of freshwaters in a vadose meteoric environment, i.e. in karstic conditions.
ISSN: 0375-6742

hal-00512690
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00512690
DOI : 10.1016/j.gexplo.2009.11.010

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The geological storage of CO 2 is considered as one of the solutions to the problem of global warming. The most possible scenarios of geological behavior of soil in the long term conditions has to be precisely defined to avoid catastrophic damages in the future. Chemical properties of saline water in the aquifer after the CO 2 injection becomes more acidic with time. Therefore, chemical degradation of rock occurs, which leads to modifications of its mechanical properties (chemo-mechanical coupling) [1]. In this paper an incremental model of chemo-mechanical coupling using homogenization approach (asymptotic expansion method [2,3]) is proposed. The paper is focused on the numerical computations for the X-ray tomography image of carbonate rock microstructure [4]. The chemical degradation of the microstructure is obtained as a homogeneous dissolution in each direction (Fig.1. – Fig.2.) For every porosity state numerical computations to obtain full, orthotropic elasticity tensor are performed. Therefore, the degradations functions for all components of the rigidity tensor were defined (Fig.3.). Moreover, results of numerical calculations of diffusion, tortuosity and permeability tensors are presented [5,6]. The link between geometrical properties and mechanical and transport parameters are discussed. The numerical analysis of the carbonate rock sample in long term conditions shows the increase of porosity and associated mechanical weakening of the rock. Moreover, the increase of diffusion, tortuosity and permeability tensors elements with time were observed. Finally, the solution of the one-dimensional macroscopic problem of soil settlement due to chemical dissolution of rock at constant load is presented. The method is universal, in the sense that the non-dimensional time scale is used.
ALERT Workshop 2013
Aussois, France

hal-01103175
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01103175

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Oxford University Press (OUP)
Résumé : Geophysical Journal International, v. 173, n. 2, p. 473-482, 2008. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-246X.2008.03718.x
International audience
The western Provence in southern France is an intraplate low deforming region, cut by large sinistral strike-slip faults as the Nîmes Fault. The deformation rate of this fault was estimated at 0.1 mm yr−1 from geological and morphological observations. Nevertheless, some large earthquakes occurred in this area in historical times inducing well-documented partial destructions on the roman monument 'Pont-du-Gard'. In order to investigate if this area is seismically active, we installed a temporary seismological network of 14 stations between the cities of Nîmes and Avignon for a 1-yr period (2002 July–2003 June). We recorded and located a total amount of 80 earthquakes of magnitude Ml smaller than 2.8, and of 153 quarry blasts. The seismic event locations are interpreted in terms of regional tectonics as well as of geometry at depth of the Nîmes Fault and of possible seismic activity of the Roquemaure Fault. At the beginning of 2002 September, a catastrophic storm occurred in the same area with cumulated precipitations at 600 mm in 28 hr, causing casualties and major inundations and damages. We identified a clear and sudden increase of the seismic activity as an immediate consequence of this exceptional meteorological phenomenon. We interpret this rainfall triggering of earthquakes as the response of the crust to an abrupt vertical loading. The geological context of this zone is characterized by the presence of sedimentary basins and of an important karstic network in a calcareous environment allowing the retention of a third of the total rainwater volume during few weeks after the catastrophic storm. Month by month inversion of the seismic wave velocities for only the first 1-km thick layer of the crust allows investigating the influence of the stored water. A clear decrease of both P- and S-velocities, and an increase of the Vp/Vs ratio are evidenced. The variations obtained are at 2, 6 and 4.5 per cent for P-, S-velocities and Vp/Vs ratio, respectively. These variations are discussed in confront of previous studies and can be directly related to the known water volume.
ISSN: 0956-540X

hal-00407884
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00407884
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00407884v2/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00407884/file/rigoGJI2008.pdf
DOI : 10.1111/j.1365-246X.2008.03718.x