Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The sandy coasts of Languedoc-Roussillon are a zone vulnerable to erosion and flooding. These hazards are generally associated with a combination of natural factors such as waves, wind, rising sea levels and the importance of sediment supply, and are therefore worsened during storms. For the management of such risks, a better knowledge of the hydrodynamic phenomena occuring from the surf zone through to the coastal scale is essential. This need led to the development of a numerical modelling platform consisting of the 3D ocean circulation model Symphonie, usually dedicated to regional and coastal scales, which was modified to include the wave forcing, modeled by the WaveWatch III or Swan models. Using this platform the entire littoral and coastal regions can be accurately represented. The model was tested in several academic cases. Measurements on the barred beach of Sète during the winter of 2008-2009 served to refine the model, which is able to successfully reproduce the characteristics of the currents in coastal areas, drifts or rip currents over more complex bathymetries and also the vertical profiles of currents. To validate the model on the inner-shelf, we compared the simulations with measurements taken during a winter storm in 2004 around the mouth of the Têt river, as well as during storms in 2007 and 2008 in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes. Currents are generally well reproduced. However, the scope of wave action seems limited to a depth of 30m. The characteristics of our model allow a good reproduction of the currents at all scales and the 3D nature of the model permits a more precise calculation of the shear stress and bottom current responsible, respectively, for the suspension and advection of sediments.
Le littoral sableux du Languedoc-Roussillon est un système vulnérable aux risques d'érosion et de submersion. Ces aléas sont liés à la conjonction des facteurs naturels que sont les vagues, vent, élévation du niveau de la mer et apports sédimentaires et sont donc aggravés en période de tempête. En vue d'une gestion des risques, une meilleure connaissance des phénomènes hydrodynamiques de l'échelle littorale à l'échelle côtière est essentielle. Ce travail a conduit à la réalisation d'une plateforme de modélisation numérique composée du modèle de circulation océanique 3D Symphonie, traditionnellement dédié aux échelles régionales et côtières, qui a été modifié pour inclure le forçage par les vagues, modélisées par les modèles Wavewatch III ou Swan, et ainsi étendre sa validité au littoral. Le modèle a été testé sur des cas académiques littoraux. Des mesures sur la plage à double barres de Sète pendant l'hiver 2008-2009, ont également servi à parfaire le modèle qui reproduit ainsi avec succès les caractéristiques des courants en zone littorale : la dérive, les courants sagittaux sur des bathymétries plus complexes et les profils verticaux des courants. Pour valider le modèle à des échelles plus côtières, nous avons confronté ses résultats à des mesures réalisées pendant une tempête hivernale en 2004 aux alentours de l'embouchure de la Têt, mais également sur des tempêtes de 2007 et 2008 dans le Golfe d'Aigues-Mortes. Les courants sont globalement bien reproduits. Les zones d'action des vagues semblent limitées aux zones de profondeur inférieure à 30 m. Notre modèle autorise une reproduction correcte des courants à toutes les échelles et sa nature 3D permet un calcul plus précis de la tension de cisaillement de fond et du courant près du fond, responsables respectivement de la mise en suspension et de l'advection des sédiments.
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00680405

tel-00680405
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00680405
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00680405v2/document
https://tel.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-00680405/file/2011_MICHAUD.pdf

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Geological Society of America
Résumé : International audience
Lakes are major depositional systems for which the related depositional processes have long been considered relatively simple. Breaking this statement, this study presents a detailed analysis of deposits in Lake Saint-Jean, the third largest natural lake in Québec. In addition to postglacial deltaic and coastal depositional systems fringing the lake, current-controlled features such as a large subaqueous prograding wedge and three sediment drifts have been identifi ed in its central portion based on two-dimensional (2-D) acoustic high-resolution subbottom profiles. The large subaqueous prograding wedge is a 4-km-long and up to 15-m-thick heterolithic shelf-like construction in the southeastern part of the lake. The three sediment drifts are 0.1–0.5-km-long and 2–5-mthick mud mounds distributed on the lake floor in the central portion of the lake. Diatom analyses and radiocarbon dating show that the development of these current-controlled features occurred during the lacustrine phase, after the disconnection with the postglacial marine Laflamme Gulf at 8.5 cal. k.y. B.P. Depositional facies show evidence of recurrent bottom-current activity. Related deposits alternate with pelagic sedimentation stages characterized by the settling of mud and biogenic accumulations. We investigated the origin of bottom currents using a numerical simulation (SYMPHONIE, an oceanographic model), with the aim of modeling wind-induced lake-scale water circulation. Simulations suggest that the subaqueous prograding wedge and the three sediment drifts result from wind-induced bottom currents generated by storm events having wind speed greater than 10 m s–1. Such strong winds are able to significantly affect sedimentation in the central portion of Lake Saint-Jean. Theresulting wind-induced sedimentary features were integrated into a refi ned lacustrine depositional model that summarizes the evolution of a group of water bodies referred to as “wind-driven water bodies.” This study applies a new tool for lake strata characterization and highlights the potential diffi cultyin differentiating them from marine deposits in the geological record.
ISSN: 0016-7606

insu-01184724
https://hal-insu.archives-ouvertes.fr/insu-01184724
DOI : 10.1130/B31145.1

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD
Résumé : The Franceville Basin (2.1 Ga) in southeastern Gabon, hosts a black shale series well preserved (FB Formation) which represents an exceptional example of unmetamorphised Paleoproterozoic sediment strata. This basin includes the protore of one of the largest Mn-oxide laterite ore worldwide, mined by Eramet-Comilog. The aim of this this work is to determine formation conditions of this protore and to characterize the global sedimentary evolution of the FB Formation which include the protore. This 75 m thick protore is constituted of Mn carbonate-rich black shales which represent a potential ore deposit for the future. It was drilled, on the Bangombé plateau, during a recent campaign of 24 boreholes with an average depth of 125 m.Through multidisciplinary study on these cores and key outcrops of the basin, this work focuses on : i) the depositional environment of the Mn-protore and FB Formation ; ii) the processes of formation of the Mn-carbonates at 2.1 Ga and iii) the architecture and distribution of Mn-rich levels of the protore on the Bangombé Plateau.A detailed sedimentological and petrological study allowed us to redefine the division of the FB into nine units, named U1 to U9 from the base to the top. These units show a fine upward cycle up to U5 and a reverse coarse loop until U9. This division leads to a new interpretation to propose an evolution from a shoreface depositional environment controlled by deltaic currents (U1) to an offshore depositional environment with anoxic conditions (U2). In this basin, a system of submarine fan is developed, feeding a network of sand injections (injectites) covering the Bangombé plateau (70 km²) and with a thickness of 150 m affecting U4 to U7, including the Mn-protore. The protore depositional environment formed below the wave base limit (U4, U5 and U6) in a starved basin, controlled by biochemical sedimentation allowed the formation of Mn-carbonates. The end of starved basin, would allow the re-opening of the detrital input into the offshore basin (U7). This basin is then filled by storm bar deposits intersected by deltaic sub-aquatic channels (U8). The U9 unit corresponds to a quiet lagoon environment, allowing the multicellular organism development for the first time on the planet.A geochemical study allowed the characterization of the depositional environment of Mn-carbonates as an anoxic to sub-oxic and alkaline environment. For the first time, we showed that the manganese carbonates, present as bacteriomorph forms, are precipitated from the seawater by the mediated photosynthetic cyanobacterial activity, which allows CO2 / HCO3 depression of the environment and a local increase of pH. The cyanobacterial activity is controlled by the absence of bottom currents, which increase the detrital input. This would stop the activity of the cyanobacteria and thus would lead to the decrease of the Mn-concentration along the protore.Finally, well-log and a sequential correlation analyses allowed us to detail spatial and timing repartition of FB Formation deposit, controlled by a tectono-sedimentary model. We propose two- tectono-sedimentary phases. A first syn-tectonic phase (U1 to U3) controls the depocentres and sedimentation gaps. Turbidite coarse deposits are located in the most subsident part, clay deposits rather on the slope and carbonates on shoals. A second post-tectonic phase (U4 to U7) allows isopach deposits. The Mn-protore formed during the post-tectonic phase. However, it shows a variable thickness due to subsidence to the north of the Bangombé plateau. So, on the Bangombé plateau, Mn-contents increase towards the south, whereas the protore thickness increases towards the NNE. Moreover sand injectites decrease Mn-content in the eastern part of the Bangombé plateau and impact on the economic evaluation of the Mn-carbonates. Currently, the protore is structured by post-sedimentary faults, which lead to a non-continuity of the high Mn levels on the Bangombé plateau.
Le Bassin de Franceville situé au SE du Gabon présente une série de black shales (Formation FB) d'âge Paléoprotérozoïque (2,1 Ga) surmontant les grès de la Formation FA. Ce bassin peu déformé et non métamorphique représente une archive exceptionnelle des processus de dépôt de cette période de l’histoire de la Terre où la vie commence à se développer. En particulier, la Formation FB contient le protore d'un gisement mondial d'oxydes de manganèse exploité par la société Eramet-Comilog. L’objectif de ce travail est de préciser les conditions de formation de ce protore et de le replacer dans l’histoire du remplissage du bassin. Ce protore d'une épaisseur moyenne de 75 m est constitué de carbonates de manganèse ; il a fait l'objet d'une récente campagne de 24 forages carottés d'une profondeur moyenne de 125 m sur le plateau de Bangombé.A travers une approche pluridisciplinaire comprenant l'étude de ces forages et des affleurements clefs du bassin, ce travail porte sur la caractérisation i) de l'environnement de dépôt du protore et des séries qui l'encadrent (du toit du FA au toit du FB) ; ii) du mode de formation des carbonates de Mn à 2,1 Ga et iii) de l'architecture et de la répartition des hautes teneurs en Mn du protore qui représente un gisement potentiel du futur.L’étude pétro-sédimentaire détaillée a permis de distinguer neuf unités (U1 à U9) au sein de la Formation FB organisées suivant un cycle rétrogradant jusqu’à U5 puis progradant jusqu’à U9. Ce découpage montre une évolution du milieu de dépôt depuis un domaine de shoreface contrôlé par des courants deltaïques (U1) évoluant vers des dépôts d’offshore restreint (U2). Ce bassin enregistre ensuite un système de chenaux-levées turbiditiques (U3) qui alimentent un réseau d'injectites reconnu sur l’ensemble du Pl. de Bangombé et qui traverse 150 m de série (U4 à U7) en affectant le protore et ainsi les teneurs en Mn. L'environnement de dépôt du protore (U5 et U6) marque l’isolement du bassin qui devient affamé et contrôlé par une sédimentation biochimique à l’origine du dépôt des carbonates de Mn. L'Unité 7 correspond à la réouverture des apports détritiques en domaine d'offshore supérieur puis en domaine de shoreface dominé par des dépôts de tempêtes et de chenaux sous-aquatiques deltaïques (U8), et enfin lagunaire (U9) dans lequel apparaissent les premiers métazoaires de l’histoire de la planète, suivant une séquence régressive.Une étude géochimique a permis de préciser les conditions de dépôt du protore qui se forme en milieu alcalin anoxique à sub-oxique. Dans ce milieu, nous montrons pour la première fois une précipitation directe des carbonates de Mn sous forme bactériomorphe induite par l'activité photosynthétique des cyanobactéries qui consomment le CO2/HCO3 et conduisent à une augmentation du pH favorable à la formation des carbonates de Mn. L'activité cyanobactérienne est conditionnée par l’absence de courants de fond qui augmentent la turbidité du milieu et stoppent cette dernière.Les corrélations diagraphiques et séquentielles permettent de préciser la répartition spatiale et temporelle du FB permettant ainsi de replacer le protore dans l’histoire tectono-sédimentaire du bassin. Une première phase syn-tectonique (U1 à U3) contrôle l’épaisseur et la mise en place de dépôts turbiditiques dans les parties subsidentes, de dépôts argileux sur les pentes et de dépôt de carbonates sur les hauts-fonds. La seconde phase post tectonique (U4 à U7) permet la mise en place de dépôts relativement isopaques, bien que le protore enregistre une subsidence plus importante au nord du Pl. de Bangombé. On observe ainsi, sur le Plateau de Bangombé, des teneurs en Mn qui augmentent vers le sud alors que l’épaisseur du protore augmente vers le NNE. Postérieurement au dépôt du FB, le protore est structuré par des failles qui le compartimentent en touches de piano limitant ainsi sa continuité sur le Plateau de Bangombé.
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01621460

tel-01621460
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01621460
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01621460/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/tel-01621460/file/these_Dubois2017-MnGabon.pdf

Éditeur(s) : Yale University
Résumé : Data from a hydrographic section carried out in January-March 1994 offshore from the eastern coast of South America from 50S to 10N, are used to quantify the full-depth exchanges of water between the western boundary currents and the ocean interior. In the upper and intermediate layers, the westward transport associated with the southern branch of the South Equatorial Current was 49 Sv at the time of the cruise. The transports of the central and northern branches in the upper 200 m were 17 Sv and 12 Sv, respectively. After subtraction of the parts that recirculate in the subtropical, subequatorial, and equatorial domains, the fraction of the South Equatorial Current that effectively contributes to the warm water export to the North Atlantic is estimated at 18 Sv. The poleward boundary of the current southern branch is at 31S through the whole thickness of the subtropical gyre, but the latitude of the northern boundary varies from 7 degrees 30'S at the surface to 27S at 1400 m depth. The estimated latitude of its bifurcation into the Brazil Current and North Brazil Undercurrent also varies downward from about 14S at the surface to 28S at a depth of 600 m.In the North Atlantic Deep Water, eastward flows exceeding 10 Sv are observed at 3 degrees -4 degrees of latitude in both hemispheres, at 10S, and at 34S-30S. Between 4S and 17S, a net westward flow with an estimated transport of 19 Sv reinforces the southward deep western boundary current. Cyclonic circulations of Antarctic Bottom Water along the western boundaries of the Argentine and Brazil basins have amplitudes of 15 Sv and 13 Sv, respectively, exceeding those of the interbasin exchanges. The net alongshore transport of this water mass between the hydrographic section and the continental slope reverses to a southward direction from 13S to 27S, probably in relation with an eastward shift of the equatorward near-bottom boundary current at these latitudes.
Journal of Marine Research (0022-2402) (Yale University), 2000-11 , Vol. 58 , N. 6 , P. 1007-1039

Droits : 2000 Yale University
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2000/publication-803.pdf
DOI:10.1357/002224000763485782
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/803/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Elsevier Masson
Résumé : While oceanic circulation in the Gulf of Lion (GoL) has often been studied in calm weather or with northerly winds (Tramontane or Mistral) through observations and numerical circulation models, few studies have focused on southeasterly storm events. Yet, correct representation of the circulation during storms is crucial if the suspension of sediments is to be correctly modelled throughout the Gulf. The purpose of this paper is to describe the hydrodynamics in the Gulf of Aigues-Mortes (NW of the GoL) during the storm of 18 February 2007 by using a set of data from an ADCP station placed at a depth of 65 m on the sea bed off the coast at Sète, supplemented by the ocean circulation model SYMPHONIE. This storm was characterized by a moderate south-easterly wind (15 m . s−1) and waves of up to 5 m of significant height at its apex. At the ADCP, strong currents of up to 0.8 m . s−1 near the surface and 0.5 m . s−1 near the bottom were recorded, parallel to the coast, flowing towards the south-west. The simulated currents were widely underestimated, even taking the effect of waves into account in the model. It was suspected that the representation of the wind in the atmospheric model was an underestimation. A new simulation was therefore run with an arbitrarily chosen stronger wind and its results were in much better agreement with the measurements. A simplified theoretical analysis successfully isolated the wind-induced processes, responsible for the strong currents measured during the apex and the strong vertical shear that occurred at the beginning of the storm. These processes were: 1/ the barotropic geostrophic current induced by a wind parallel to the coast and 2/ the Ekman spiral. The duration of the storm (about 36 h at the apex) explains the continuous increase of the current as predicted by the theory. The frictionally induced Ekman transport explains the current shear in the surface layer in the rising stage of the storm, and the addition of high waves and strong wind at the apex is more in favour of strong vertical mixing in the surface layer.
ISSN: 1631-0713

hal-00908200
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00908200
DOI : 10.1016/j.crte.2013.07.001

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Society for Sedimentary Geology
Résumé : International audience
Spectacular accumulations of abundant bryozoan nodules (bryoliths) occur in the early Pleistocene coarse-grained, mixed carbonate-siliciclastic deposits of the Cape Arkhangelos Calcarenite of Rhodes, Greece. These bryoliths are always associated with numerous bivalves (mostly ostreids and pectinids) and serpulid worms, together with other rarer skeletal organisms. The spheroidal bryoliths vary in diameter from I cm to 16 cm, and those with a more ellipsoidal shape range from 0.8 cm to 22 cm in length and from 0.7 cm to 16 cm in width; an elongated bryolith of exceptional size (40 cm) was even found. The bryoliths are composed almost exclusively of the anascan cheilostome Calpensia nobilis and are nucleated on gravels, pebbles, or bivalve shells. After settlement of bryozoan crusts, the bryoliths increased in size by repeated overturning of these mobile hard substrates by longshore currents. The bryoliths developed at depths of 20-40 m on a flat shoal between emerged areas where bottom currents episodically accelerated during storms. The currents also transported the bryoliths, together with other skeletal elements, into deeper settings (40-80 m) where they could continue their growth, upward or downward, or be colonized by other organisms.
ISSN: 0883-0351

hal-00475576
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00475576
DOI : 10.2110/palo.2009.p09-024r

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD European Geosciences Union
Résumé : International audience
We develop and implement a new method to take into account the impact of waves into the 3-D circulation model SYMPHONIE (Marsaleix et al., 2008, 2009a), following the simplified equations of Bennis et al. (2011) which use glm2z-RANS theory (Ardhuin et al., 2008b). These adiabatic equations are completed by additional parameterizations of wave breaking, bottom friction and wave-enhanced vertical mixing, making the forcing valid from the surf zone through to the open ocean. The wave forcing is performed by wave generation and propagation models WAVEWATCH III® (Tolman, 2008, 2009; Ardhuin et al., 2010) and SWAN (Booij et al., 1999). The model is tested and compared with other models for a plane beach test case, previously tested by Haas and Warner (2009) and Uchiyama et al. (2010). A comparison is also made with the laboratory measurements of Haller et al. (2002) of a barred beach with channels. Results fit with previous simulations performed by other models and with available observational data. Finally, a realistic case of energetic waves travelling over a coast of the Gulf of Lion (in the northwest of the Mediterranean Sea) for which currents are available at different depths as well as an accurate bathymetric database of the 0-10 m depth range, is then simulated. A grid nesting approach is used to account for the different forcings acting at different spatial scales. The simulation coupling the effects of waves and currents is successful to reproduce the powerful northward littoral drift in the 0-15 m depth zone. More precisely, two distinct cases are identified: when waves have a normal angle of incidence with the coast, they are responsible for complex circulation cells and rip currents in the surf zone, and when they travel obliquely, they generate a northward littoral drift. These features are more complicated than in the test cases, due to the complex bathymetry and the consideration of wind and non-stationary processes. Wave impacts in the inner shelf are less visible since wind and regional circulation seem to be the predominant forcings. Besides, a discrepancy between model and observations is noted at that scale, possibly linked to an underestimation of the wind stress. Lastly, this three-dimensional method allows a good representation of vertical current profiles and permits to calculate the shear stress associated with wave and current. Future work will focus on the combination with a sediment transport model.
ISSN: 1812-0806

hal-00766548
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00766548
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00766548/document
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00766548/file/os-8-657-2012.pdf
DOI : 10.5194/osd-8-2417-2011

Éditeur(s) : Pêche thonière et dispositifs de concentration de poissons, Caribbean-Martinique, 15-19 Oct 1999 15-19 octobre 1999
Résumé : In Curacao, deep-water fads with grp surface buoys were developed and tested. The first fad was deployed in 1993. Up to now, a total of 5 fads were deployed at the following depths: 730, 685, 700, 754 and 574 metres. Changes were made to the surface buoy, resulting in an improved design, the mkii surface buoy. One fad lasted three years and one month. The main features of the design used are: the use of a sparbuoy design with constant tension on the moving chain to avoid slamming and jerking of the surface buoy; liberal use of sacrificial anodes, and maintenance to replace these anodes about once a year; the use of a short anchor chain with depth buoys, that does not touch bottom; a one-piece inverted mushroom anchor. With the grp surface buoy, a reserve buoyancy of approximately 800 kg is obtained with chain as external ballast about 610 kg of net buoyancy remains (it would seem that the reserve buoyancy needed where strong currents occur, has been underestimated in many designs). Five new grp mkii buoys are now under construction. Utilizing the experience gained with the deep-water fads, two new types of fads made of 500 mm diameter pvc tubes were designed to be used in waters of shallow and medium depth (150-400 m). One design uses a 3-m length of pvc tube, the other a 5-m tube (500 mm diameter). One fad with 3-m pvc buoy has been tested succesfully, two 5-m pvc buoys are under construction. The use of pvc results in a buoy which is substantially less expensive than a grp buoy. On the other hand, this type of buoy can probably not withstand the same forces as a grp buoy and we assume that for use in deeper waters the grp mkii buoy will still be needed.

Droits : Ifremer
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15288/12674.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00042/15288/

Éditeur(s) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : Intense currents having speeds between 10 and 40 cm.s(-1) from 1000 m below the surface to the bottom have been measured in the Loop Current (LC) region and in the Western Gulf of Mexico (WGM). The observations come from moored current meters sampling from the near-surface to the bottom at 3300-3500 m and from August 2008 to August 2010. Ten intermittent intensified currents are documented. These events last 10 to 30 days and take place in the region just between the surface-intensified anticyclonic-cyclonic features, as deduced from altimetry and measured currents. In the WGM, they occur between the cores of anticyclone-cyclone pairs. In the Eastern Gulf of Mexico (EGM), they occur in the Loop Current edge between its anticyclonic circulation and a neighboring cyclone. During each event, the analysis shows an increase in the barotropic contribution to the current. In the Loop Current region, these events are often associated with intensification of cyclonic vorticity in the deep layer.
Journal Of Geophysical Research-oceans (0148-0227) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2012-09-14 , Vol. 117 , N. C09014 , P. 20p.

Droits : 2012. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00099/20994/18626.pdf
DOI:10.1029/2012JC007890
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00099/20994/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The Danube Canyon is a large shelf-indenting canyon that has developed seaward of the late Pleistocene paleo-Danube valley. Mechanisms of canyon evolution and factors that controlled it are revealed by analyzing the morphology and the sedimentary structure of the canyon, as well as the main features of the continental margin around the canyon. This is based on investigation by swath bathymetry in the canyon area combined with different types of seismic data. The canyon is a major erosional trough with a flat bottom cut by an entrenched axial thalweg. The thalweg path varies from highly meandering to fairly straight in relation to the local gradient. Segments of the canyon are characterized by specific morphology, orientation and gradient along the axial thalweg. We interpret these segments in terms of canyon maturity. The sedimentary structure of the canyon documents an older phase of erosion followed by partial infilling, and thus attests for repeated cycles of canyon development. Canyon morphology is interpreted as a result of erosive sediment flows along the entrenched axial thalweg that caused downcutting into the canyon bottom and instability of the canyon walls, and hence enlargement of the canyon and expansion by headward erosion. During the last lowstand level of the Black Sea the canyon was located in an area of high sediment supply close to the paleo-Danube River mouths. This is indicated by buried fluvial channels on the shelf and by a wave-cut terrace associated with a water level situated about - 90 m below the present level. We infer that erosive flows in the canyon resulted from hyperpycnal currents at the river mouths, probably favored by the low salinity environment that characterized the Black Sea during lowstand times. Other mechanisms could have contributed to trigger sediment failure along the canyon, such as instability related to the presence of shallow gas, or the effect of a deep fault.
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2004-05 , Vol. 206 , N. 1-4 , P. 249-265

Droits : 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2004/publication-476.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.margeo.2004.03.003
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/476/

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : The fining upward trend commonly described on levees of turbidite systems can be either attributed to changes in the sediment supply (external forcing = allocyclic) or changes in the spillover processes related to the growth of the levee (internal forcing = autocyclic). However the real causes remain speculative and difficult to demonstrate. Knowledge of vertical change in flow velocity (or grain size) in turbidity currents, of the turbidity current's height, as well as the growth rate of a levee are theoretically sufficient to describe the evolution of the grain size of a leveed turbidite sequence deposited by spillover processes. A piston core (MD99-2344) retrieved on the right levee of the Petit-Rhone neofan, sampled an 8.50 m long turbidite sequence containing more than one hundred turbidite beds and showing a marked fining upward trend. With the help of two profiles describing respectively the vertical velocity [Stacey, M. and Bowen, A.J., 1988b. The vertical structure of turbidity currents and a necessary condition for self-maintenance, Journal of Geophysical Research, pp. 3543-3553.] and the vertical grain size [Migeon, S., 2000. Dunes geantes et levees sedimentaires en domaine marin profond: approche morphologique, sismique et sedimentologique. PhD Thesis, Universite Bordeaux 1, Talence, France, 288 pp.] of a turbidity current, and a simple graphical method, we test several hypotheses on the height of the turbidity current and on the grain size at the bottom of the turbidity current and we attempt to reproduce the vertical fining upward trend. Our results show that the fining upward trend of the turbidite facies can be explained by the aggradation of the turbidite levee and the gradual confinement of the turbidity currents in the channel. This is, therefore, an autocyclical phenomenon. However a high frequency variability of the grain size overprinted on the trend cannot be explained by internal forcing and is believed to be allocyclical, depending on changes to the sediment input. The vertical grain-size profile allows more realistic flow conditions to be determined and shows that the vertical velocity profile does not describe the ability of turbidity current to transport sediment. This simple graphical method allows a better understanding and quantification of the forcing on turbidite deposits and improves description of the characteristics of the turbidity currents from the grain size of the deposits.
Marine Geology (0025-3227) (Elsevier), 2006-12 , Vol. 234 , N. 1-4 , P. 191-213

Droits : 2006 Elsevier
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-2311.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.margeo.2006.09.019
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2311/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD American Association for the Advancement of Science
Résumé : International audience
Sediments cored along the southwestern Iberian margin during Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 339 provide constraints on Mediterranean Outflow Water (MOW) circulation patterns from the Pliocene epoch to the present day. After the Strait of Gibraltar opened (5.33 million years ago), a limited volume of MOW entered the Atlantic. Depositional hiatuses indicate erosion by bottom currents related to higher volumes of MOW circulating into the North Atlantic, beginning in the late Pliocene. The hiatuses coincide with regional tectonic events and changes in global thermohaline circulation (THC). This suggests that MOW influenced Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), THC, and climatic shifts by contributing a component of warm, saline water to northern latitudes while in turn being influenced by plate tectonics.
ISSN: 0036-8075

hal-01054316
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-01054316
DOI : 10.1126/science.1251306

Éditeur(s) : Elsevier
Résumé : Foraminifera and ostracods have been quantitatively studied in core MD01-2472, from the upper continental slope (at water depth of 501 m), to evaluate their relationship with bottom water condition variability and decipher the control of the Levantine Intermediate Water (LIW) current on benthic faunas. The occurrence of reworked ostracod species (originating from the continental shelf) and, the presence of shallow water Elphidium/Ammonia benthic foraminifera are used to estimate the degree of along-slope transport at the core site. This has revealed two intervals of along-slope transport also associated with coarse-grained contourite deposits, deposited during the YD and HS2 episodes. Planktonic-benthic foraminiferal and ostracod assemblages reflect climate oscillations. Peaks of the polar planktonic Neogloboquadrina pachyderma (left-coiling S) may be used to identify Heinrich Events. Interstadials are marked by abundant ostracod species such as Paracypris sp., Argilloecia acuminata, and Cytheropteron alatum and the presence of benthic foraminifera like Bulimina marginata, Bulimina costata and Gyroidina altiformis. The B–A and Holocene are characterized by abundant warm water species of planktonic foraminifera and by the ostracod species Polycope sp. We hypothesize that there is relationship between LIW intensification during cold rapid climate events and benthic fauna assemblage variations due to changes in: 1) bottom water ventilation; and 2) the export of nutrients and/or sediment particles by bottom currents.
Quaternary International (1040-6182) (Elsevier), 2015-01 , Vol. 357 , P. 295-313

Droits : 2014 Elsevier Ltd and INQUA. All rights reserved.
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00245/35648/34208.pdf
DOI:10.1016/j.quaint.2014.11.038
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00245/35648/

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) : Amer Geophysical Union
Résumé : In the Atlantic Ocean, the northward export of warm surface water is compensated by a southward flow of cold North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW). The NADW is transported southward along the American continental margin within the Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC). Some tracer and float observations have shown that part of the DWBC water flows eastward along the equator. Here we present three meridional velocity sections which give an instantaneous image of the top-to-bottom zonal circulation along the equatorial Atlantic. They reveal the presence of Equatorial Deep Jets (EDJs) between 1 degrees 30'N and 1 degrees 30'S, alternating eastward-westward currents with short vertical scale, surrounded by columns of eastward currents (the Extra Equatorial Jets or EEJs) at 2 degreesN and 2 degreesS. In addition to direct velocity measurements, tracer distributions give indications of water-mass feeding of the EDJs and EEJs by the DWBC.
Geophysical Research Letters (0094-8276) (Amer Geophysical Union), 2001-03 , Vol. 28 , N. 5 , P. 819-822

Droits : 2001 AGU
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10369/9567.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/10369/

Éditeur(s) : Gauthier-Villars
Résumé : Moored current measurements carried out from 31 March 1990 to 15 September 1991 in two stages at a point (near 6 degrees N) located over the mid-continental slope off French Guiana are presented. Six current meters were positioned between 200 and 2700 m depth. Upper level mean current data showed a northwestward flowing North Brazil Current (NBC) with mean velocity values decreasing from 10 cm/s in the range 200-250 m to almost zero at 800 m depth, the level of the Antarctic Intermediate Waters. In the range 500-800 m, the current reversed in spring in the presence of the southeastward Western Boundary Under Current (WBUC); the mean velocity from February to June 1991 is around 2 cm/s. Deep currents over the continental rise show a strong southeastward Deep Western Boundary Current extending from around 1000 m depth to the bottom (3000 m depth in this case) with mean core speeds of 20 cm/s at 2000-2070 m depth. Transport estimates based on these data and a few Pegasus sections for the mean vertical and lateral extensions of the DWBC yield a value of 21 x 10(6) m(3)/s at that location. Low-frequency current fluctuations were dominated by a well-defined 50- to 70-day period oscillation with peak-to-peak northwestward velocity amplitude of around 90 cm/s at the upper level. The mean vertical eddy kinetic energy distribution showed an abrupt decrease of the energy down to 800 m depth and a slight decrease below and down to the bottom.
Oceanologica Acta (0399-1784) (Gauthier-Villars), 1994 , Vol. 17 , N. 4 , P. 345-354

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20897/18510.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00098/20897/

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) : Universite Montpellier II
Résumé : Since 1980, the expansion of a green macro-alga: Valonia aegagropila (C Agardh) is observed in Salses-Leucate lagoon (France). It is currently distributed in the north of the lagoon with important biomasses (40 gDW/m²) eroding the cover of Zostera noltii. The free form of the alga can be transported with the surface or bottom currents depending on seasons. It multiplies mainly by vegetative reproduction. There are few studies on the ecophysiological capacities of V. aegagropila. This work tries to answer why (physiological adaptation) and how (mechanical process of transport) the alga invaded the lagoon, with an approach including observations, experiments in controlled environment and biological and hydrodynamic models. The growth capacities depend on temperature and light intensities, the nutrients absorption rates and internal nitrogen and phosphorus internal quotas were measured and modelled using a Droop model based on internal quota. Vertically transport was studied with laboratory experiments and measurements of biomass transport were made into the lagoon. The biological model (growth, vertical transport, mortality) was coupled to the MARS 3D hydrodynamic model with a meshgrid of 160m. The results show an adaptation of the alga to low availability of phosphorus and an annual growth of biomass controlled by the availability of nutrient during winter. The alga seems to occupy the whole zones where growth is optimal and the risk of invasion of the southern part of the lagoon is limited. This work opens on research prospects on an ecological model (confronting physiological capacities and competition of V. aegagropila, Zostera noltii, green algae and primary production), new physiological experiments, ecological observations and potential valorisation of V. aegagropila.
Depuis 1980, est observée dans l'étang de Salses-Leucate l'expansion d'une macro-algue verte : Valonia aegagropila (C. Agardh). En 2004, elle était présente sur la presque totalité de la moitié nord de la lagune avec des biomasses importantes (jusqu'à 600 gPS/m²). L'algue envahit et érode également la couverture d'herbiers garant de la biodiversité, de la productivité et de la stabilité de l'écosystème. V. aegagropila se reproduit essentiellement de manière végétative (fragmentation des thalles) et possède la particularité de retenir de l'oxygène de la photosynthèse dans sa structure sphérique. Cet oxygène piégé lui donne la possibilité de mouvement sur la verticale et d'être transportée dans le domaine par les courants. Les conditions physico-chimiques de l'étang présentent de fortes variations saisonnières en salinité, en température et en turbidité, ainsi que des apports nutritifs faibles : la production primaire est principalement limitée par le phosphore. Il existe malheureusement peu d'informations sur V. aegagropila ainsi que trop peu de connaissances sur son écophysiologie. Elle semble vivre dans des milieux plutôt oligotrophe dans des régions tropicales à sub-tropicales. Ce travail basé sur une approche d'observations de terrain, d'expérimentations en milieu contrôlé (en laboratoire) et de modélisation des processus, a permis d'une part d'explorer les capacités adaptatives physiologiques de V. aegagropila aux conditions environnementales de l'étang et d'autre part de mettre à jour les modes de fonctionnement de la dynamique spatio-temporelle de la population. Les capacités de croissance ont été mesurées sur un large spectre de température et de lumière. Les capacités d'absorption des sels nutritifs dans l'eau et les facultés de l'algue à stocker l'azote et le phosphore dans ses tissus ont également été étudiées. D'autre part, un modèle de dynamique des populations a été conceptualisé puis développé. Les processus pris en compte dans ce modèle sont la croissance de l'algue (modèle à quota interne), la flottabilité de l'algue et la mortalité par surdensité. Ces processus ont été paramétrés en majeure partie par des expérimentations réalisées en laboratoire. Ce modèle 0D a par la suite était couplé au modèle hydrodynamique MARS3D (modèle Ifremer) mis en place sur la lagune de Salses-Leucate, utilisant deux grilles de calcul (160m ou de 80m de résolution). Les simulations réalisées permettent d'appréhender les capacités spatio-temporelles de la croissance de l'algue dans l'étang, le turnover annuel de la biomasse totale et les attracteurs de biomasse du système sous différents évènements météorologiques. Ces résultats sont comparés avec les répartitions cartographiques de la population observées in situ en 1999 et 2004 et des flux de biomasses mesurés au cours d'observations de terrain entre juin 2003 et septembre 2004. L'ensemble des résultats montre d'une part une adaptation de l'algue à évoluer dans un milieu pauvre en phosphore et d'autre part une croissance annuelle de la biomasse totale qui est principalement contrôlée par les apports hivernaux en sels nutritifs dans la lagune. Les résultats des simulations montrent également que V. aegagropila semble occuper à présent la majeure partie des zones favorables à sa croissance. Il est également montré que si sa capacité de mouvement peut favoriser la dispersion d'individus dans la lagune et accélérer la croissance de la population pour de faibles biomasses initiales, cette même capacité de mouvement joue plutôt un rôle de régulation de la population lorsque la biomasse totale devient importante. On peut penser que le risque de colonisation de l'herbier à zostère de la partie sud de la lagune (bassin de Salses) est limité. Ce travail ouvre enfin des perspectives de recherche sur l'amélioration du modèle de dynamique des populations de l'espèce, sur de nouvelles expérimentations à réaliser ou encore sur la surveillance écologique du milieu. Des propositions sont faites pour concevoir un modèle écologique confrontant les capacités physiologiques des macrophytes (algues vertes, Valonia et zostères) afin d'apréhender les phénomènes de compétitions et les modes de fonctionnement du réseau trophique de la lagune de Salses- Leucate. Des pistes sur la valorisation de la matière algale de V. aegagropila sont enfin proposées.

Droits : info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/these-2453.pdf
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/2453/

Éditeur(s) : HAL CCSD Wiley
Résumé : International audience
The stratigraphy of the last deglaciation sequence is investigated in Lake Saint-Jean (Québec Province, Canada) based on 300 km of echo-sounder two dimensional seismic profiles. The sedimentary archive of this basin is documented from the Late Pleistocene Laurentidian ice-front recession to the present-day situation. Ten seismic units have been identified that reflect spatio-temporal variations in depositional processes characterizing different periods of the Saint-Jean basin evolution. During the postglacial marine flooding, a high deposition rate of mud settling, from proglacial glacimarine and then prodeltaic plumes in the Laflamme Gulf, produced an extensive, up to 50 m thick mud sheet draping the isostatically depressed marine basin floor. Subsequently, a closing of the water body due to glacio-isostatic rebound occurred at 8.5 cal. ka BP, drastically modifying the hydrodynamics. Hyperpycnal flows appeared because fresh lake water replaced dense marine water. River sediments were transferred towards the deeper part of the lake into river-related sediment drifts and confined lobes. The closing of the water body is also marked by the onset of a wind-driven internal circulation associating coastal hydrodynamics and bottom currents with sedimentary features including shoreface deposits, sediment drifts and a prograding shelf-type body. The fingerprints of a forced regression are well expressed by mouth-bar systems and by the shoreface-shelf system, the latter unexpected in such a lacustrine setting. In both cases, a regressive surface of lacustrine erosion (RSLE) has been identified, separating sandy mouth-bar from glaciomarine to prodeltaic muds, and sandy shoreface wedges from the heterolithic shelf-type body, respectively. The Lake Saint-Jean record is an example of a regressive succession driven by a glacio-isostatic rebound and showing the transition from late-glacial to post-glacial depositional systems.
ISSN: 0300-9483

hal-00984683
https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-00984683
DOI : 10.1111/bor.12039

Éditeur(s) : Springer
Résumé : Series of sensitivity tests were performed with a z-coordinate, global eddy-permitting (1/4 degrees) ocean/sea-ice model (the ORCA-R025 model configuration developed for the DRAKKAR project) to carefully evaluate the impact of recent state-of-the-art numerical schemes on model solutions. The combination of an energy-enstrophy conserving (EEN) scheme for momentum advection with a partial step (PS) representation of the bottom topography yields significant improvements in the mean circulation. Well known biases in the representation of western boundary currents, such as in the Atlantic the detachment of the Gulf Stream, the path of the North Atlantic Current, the location of the Confluence, and the strength of the Zapiola Eddy in the south Atlantic, are partly corrected. Similar improvements are found in the Pacific, Indian, and Southern Oceans, and characteristics of the mean flow are generally much closer to observations. Comparisons with other state-of-the-art models show that the ORCA-R025 configuration generally performs better at similar resolution. In addition, the model solution is often comparable to solutions obtained at 1/6 or 1/10 degrees resolution in some aspects concerning mean flow patterns and distribution of eddy kinetic energy. Although the reasons for these improvements are not analyzed in detail in this paper, evidence is shown that the combination of EEN with PS reduces numerical noise near the bottom, which is likely to affect current-topography interactions in a systematic way. We conclude that significant corrections of the mean biases presently seen in general circulation model solutions at eddy-permitting resolution can still be expected from the development of numerical methods, which represent an alternative to increasing resolution.
Ocean Dynamics (1616-7341) (Springer), 2006-12 , Vol. 56 , N. 5-6 , P. 543-567

Droits : © Springer 2006. Part of Springer Science+Business Media
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/2006/publication-3514.pdf
DOI:10.1007/s10236-006-0082-1
http://archimer.ifremer.fr/doc/00000/3514/