Gironde Estuary Research Articles

Prevalence of the crayfish plague pathogen in red swamp crayfish populations in western France: How serious is the risk for the native white-clawed crayfish?

The crayfish plague pathogen Aphanomyces astaci has been implicated in a number of mass mortalities and irreversible population declines of native crayfish across Europe. At present, the reservoirs of the pathogen in Europe are mainly populations of invasive North American crayfish species. In southwestern Europe, including France, a particularly widespread invader is the red swamp crayfish Procambarus clarkii. Recent distribution data confirm that P. clarkii is present in at least 75 French departments, i.e. more than 78% of those in metropolitan France. We analysed the prevalence and pathogen load of A. astaci in 42 populations of this species in western France (Nouvelle Aquitaine region), where the species is most densely distributed, particularly in a wide range of environments around the Gironde estuary. The pathogen was detected by two different quantitative PCR assays in more than three quarters of the populations studied (34 out of 42); 163 out of 480 analysed crayfish individuals tested positive for the presence of A. astaci. In most cases, individual infection levels were very low, detectable with quantitative PCR but not sufficient for pathogen genotyping. In seven P. clarkii individuals from four populations, however, we were able to assess A. astaci variation by microsatellite markers and sequencing of mitochondrial markers. All these host specimens carried A. astaci genotype group D, haplotype d1, which has caused the majority of crayfish plague outbreaks in neighbouring Spain. In contrast, the French outbreaks genotyped to date (including eight newly analysed in this study) were mostly caused by strains of genotype group B, specific to the signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus. Haplotype d1 found in P. clarkii was involved in one of the newly characterised outbreaks. Our study confirms that P. clarkii is a potentially important reservoir of the crayfish plague pathogen in France, but not the main source of the pathogen in mass mortalities of A. pallipes, probably due to different ecological requirements of the different invasive host crayfish. However, as P. clarkii continues to spread, the threat posed by this species to native crayfish is likely to increase.

Lipids as biomarkers to assess the nutritional and physiological status of two diadromous fish (Anguilla anguilla and Chelon auratus) at early life stages in a temperate macrotidal estuary.

Estuaries are considered as key habitats for the early life stages of fish. However, in the face of massive destruction of many estuarine intertidal areas, management and conservation measures are needed. Fish condition indicators may be used as a proxy of habitat quality and provide valuable information for management of coastal areas. In this study, the larvae of golden mullet (Chelon auratus) and European glass eels (Anguilla anguilla) were sampled in three sites of the Gironde Estuary. Different lipid classes and fatty acids were quantified: phospholipids (globally, phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine), triglycerides, omega-3 (particularly docosahexaenoic and eicosapentaenoic acids), omega-6 and C18:1. These biomarkers provide information on the nutritional status of the larvae as well as on prey availability and larvae diet between sites. One site significantly differed from the others as it seemed to offer abundant and better-quality prey. The very high levels of omega-3 contained in mullet larvae suggested that this site provided a high amount of diatoms. However, the mullet larvae that colonized this site also showed physiological stress that could be explained by exposure to pollutants through their prey. This work constitutes an essential baseline for developing biomarkers to assess the quality of habitats in a global change context.

Reactivity and bioconcentration of stable cesium in a hyperturbid fluvial-estuarine continuum: A combination of field observations and geochemical modeling

Effective, post-accidental management needs an accurate understanding of the biogeochemical behavior of radionuclides in surface environments at a regional scale. Studies on stable isotopes (element homologs) can improve this knowledge. This work focuses on the biogeochemical behavior of stable cesium (Cs) along a major European fluvial-estuarine system, the Gironde Estuary (SW France). We present results obtained from (i) a long-term monitoring (2014–2017) of dissolved (Csd) and particulate (Csp) Cs concentrations at five sites along the freshwater continuum of the Garonne watershed, (ii) Csd and Csp concentrations during four oceanographic campaigns at contrasting hydrological conditions along longitudinal profiles of the estuarine system, (iii) a 24 h cycle of Csp at the estuary mouth, and (iv) a historical trend of Cs bioconcentration in wild oysters at the estuary mouth (RNO/ROCCH, 1984–2017). In addition, we model the partitioning of Cs within the estuarine environment for clay mineral interactions via PhreeqC. At fluvial sites, we observe a geogenic dependence of the Csp and a seasonal variability of Csd, with a downstream increase of the solid-liquid partitioning (log10 Kd values from 3.64 to 6.75 L kg−1) for suspended particulate matter (SPM) < 200 mg L−1. Along the estuarine salinity gradients, Cs shows a non-conservative behavior where fresh SPM (defined as Cs-depleted particles recently put in contact with Csd) act as a Cs sink during both flood and low discharge (drought) conditions. This sorption behavior was explained by the geochemical model, highlighting the relevance of ionic strength, water and SPM residence times. However, at high salinities, the overall log10 Kd value decreases from 6.02 to 5.20 for SPM ∼300–350 mg L−1 due to the Csd oceanic endmember. Despite wild oysters showing low bioconcentration factors (∼1220 L kg−1) at the estuary mouth, they are sensitive organisms to Cs fluxes.

The possibilities of using of captive and domestic broodstocks for saving of natural populations: 1. Acipenseriformes (part 1)

In last years the stocks of Russian species of sturgeons decreased to critical level which can be followed by their complete extinction in nature. As a result, the number of sturgeons beginning spawning migration into rivers are extremely small, but Astrakhan sturgeon hatcheries continue release annually about 35 mln fry using own broodstocks of two types — captive and domestic ones. However the releases of offspring of domestic broodstock are extremely discussible. On one hand, creation of such broodstocks could avoid the complete extinction of natural populations of Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccari in Po River and European sturgeon A. sturio in Gironde estuary. On other hand, long-term practice of commercial fish farming had shown that even the accidental refugees from sea cages or fresh-water ponds caused great harm to natural populations of same species. Hatchery individuals were undergoing different selection than fish in wild nature and had poorly formed reflexes (searching for food and avoiding predators). Besides a progressive decrease in genetic diversity with each generation could be seen in such fry due to limited number of parents (the Ryman-Laikre effect). However the creation of captive and domestic broodstocks of endangerous species and subspecies (Azov beluga Huso huso maeotica, fringebarbel sturgeon Acipenser nudiventris, Sakhalin sturgeon Acipenser mikadoi) and extinct populations (Baltic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus) remains the only way to release hatchery juveniles. The first part of presented review is devoted to creation and using of captive and domestic broodstocks for conservation-type sturgeon fry releases in Russia and other countries.

The possibilities of using of captive and domestic broodstocks for saving of natural populations: 1. Acipenseriformes (part 2)

In last years the stocks of Russian species of sturgeons decreased to critical level which can be followed by their complete extinction in nature. As a result, the number of sturgeons beginning spawning migration into rivers are extremely small, but Astrakhan sturgeon hatcheries continue release annually about 35 mln fry using own broodstocks of two types — captive and domestic ones. However the releases of offspring of domestic broodstock are extremely discussible. On one hand, creation of such broodstocks could avoid the complete extinction of natural populations of Adriatic sturgeon Acipenser naccari in Po River and European sturgeon A.sturio in Gironde estuary. On other hand, long-term practice of commercial fish farming had shown that even the accidental refugees from sea cages or fresh-water ponds caused great harm to natural populations of same species. Hatchery individuals were undergoing different selection than fish in wild nature and had poorly formed reflexes (searching for food and avoiding predators). Besides a progressive decrease in genetic diversity with each generation could be seen in such fry due to limited number of parents (the Ryman-Laikre effect). However the creation of captive and domestic broodstocks of endangerous species and subspecies (Azov beluga Huso huso maeotica, fringebarbel sturgeon Acipenser nudiventris, Sakhalin sturgeon Acipenser mikadoi) and extinct populations (Baltic sturgeon Acipenser oxyrinchus) remains the only way to release hatchery juveniles. The first part of presented review is devoted to creation and using of captive and domestic broodstocks for conservation-type sturgeon fry releases in Russia and other countries.

Middle Pleistocene to Holocene estuarine and aeolian deposits at L’Amélie (Médoc peninsula, Southwest France).

The chronostratigraphy of Pleistocene and Holocene coastal deposits in the Médoc Peninsula (southwest France) was revised during preventive archaeology work carried out prior to the restoration of the riprap protecting L'Amélie seaside resort. This study revealed that the Pleistocene deposits were more complex than initially expected. At the base, they comprise subtidal to supratidal estuarine units (“Argiles du Gurp”: laminated silts, green clay, sandy peat with tree stumps) related to the high sea level of Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 11 (Holsteinian). These deposits were incised by a fluvial/deltaic channel at the end of the interglacial, then covered by aeolian sands dating back to MIS 10. The whole area is covered unconformably by gravelly sand colluvium. Holocene aeolian deposits fill a small valley cut into the Pleistocene deposits and indicate the arrival of the coastal dune massif in the area during the late Antiquity. An overview of the results obtained in Médoc shows successive bodies of estuarine deposits indicating a gradual northward migration of the Gironde estuary. Only a few high marine levels are recorded (MIS 1, MIS 9, MIS 11, Gelasian, Piacenzian), presumably both because the sea level reached was similar to or higher than the Holocene level and because the deposits were preserved from erosion during the periods of valley incision.

A 3D Numerical Study on the Tidal Asymmetry, Residual Circulation and Saline Intrusion in the Gironde Estuary (France)

A full 3D numerical model is used for studying tidal asymmetry, estuarine circulation, and saline intrusion in the Gironde estuary. The model is calibrated and verified using the data measured during two field surveys in the Gironde estuary. Harmonic analysis of numerical results is proposed to understand how the superposition of M2, M4 and M6 components generate a complex estuarine circulation and salinity intrusion in the Gironde estuary. The numerical results show that the M6 component plays a significant role as important as the M4 one in modifying the nature of tidal asymmetry, especially in the Gironde upper estuary. In this case, the use of the phase lag between M2 and M4, neglecting M6, to predict the tidal asymmetry nature could produce errors. The effect of asymmetrical tides on saline intrusion and residual circulation is specifically discussed here.

Multi-criteria analysis to evaluate tidal energy potential in France

France benefits from an important tidal energy resource, with the second largest potential in Europe, and one of the biggest in the world. In addition, France has an important industrial and academic fabric, with several tidal developers, shipyards, and research centers, creating, theoretically, an attractive environment. However, though some tidal turbines already installed, such as Sabella demonstrator at Ouessant Island, or Guinard energy turbine in the Etel river, the sector still has a large development potential. One limitation of such a development is the lack of available data to assess the total potential. Previous studies mainly focused on the most energetic sites, such as the Alderney Race or the Fromveur Passage, while other sites are neglected. Yet, those sites, such has rivers or estuaries, offer softer conditions, lowering the risks. Moreover, although identifying a suitable area for tidal array implementation requires technical criteria (maximum current velocity, water depth, installable potential, etc.), it should also consider other aspects such as ecological indicators (migratory fishes, specific habitats, etc.), regulation specificities (Natura 2000, ZNIEFF, etc.) or human activities conflicts (fishery, UXO, etc.). On top of that, socioeconomic indicators, such as potential local content or partnerships with relevant academic stakeholders, are encouraged by authorities, and must be accounted for.&#x0D; Hence, this study proposes an extensive multi-criteria analysis methodology, to assess tidal energy potential of ten sites in France, including five nearshore locations (Alderney race, Fromveur passage, Raz-de-Sein, Raz-Barfleur, Paimpol-Bréhat), and five estuaries, river or similar (Gironde estuary, Gulf of Morbihan, Adour river, Etel river, Arcachon Bay). The analysis is limited to ten sites, selected based on a pre-screening analysis, which will be detailed in the study.&#x0D; The different criteria used will be presented, including their weight to the final score which reflect their importance during project development, and the 3-level grading system used to discriminate sites. The methodology developed to assess full-time equivalent employments created by a tidal array, using world input-output tables and other economic parameters will also be detailed. A specific focus will be proposed on methodology used to assess the installable capacity, relying on data from MARS 2D model for nearshore sites and public data for the others.&#x0D; First analysis shows that Raz-de-Sein and Paimpol-Bréhat are the two most suitable sites for tidal arrays implementation, while the Alderney Race is the most energetic one. Those results are driven by high scores obtained by these sites in categories such as ecological or human activities. Direct, indirect, and induced employments created during construction and operational phase by each project are also calculated, as well as potential growth value added. Hypothesis and sensitivity to them will be discussed.&#x0D; This research was funded by the H2020 projet ELEMENT, grant number 815180.

The great shift: The non-indigenous species Ammonia confertitesta (Foraminifera, Rhizaria) outcompetes indigenous Ammonia species in the Gironde estuary (France)

This work reports the first description of benthic foraminiferal assemblages in the Gironde estuary (France) with a particular emphasis on the non-indigenous species Ammonia confertitesta. Four stations along the salinity gradient were monthly sampled for sediment and faunal parameters from September 2018 to December 2019. Ammonia confertitesta, Haynesina germanica, Ammonia aberdoveyensis, Ammonia veneta and Elphidium oceanense were the main species occurring at the four sampled stations. The distributions of the main foraminifera species in the Gironde estuary were majorly driven by the distance to the sea and sediment surface-chlorophyll-a. Total Organic Carbon, Total Nitrogen and Carbon:Nitrogen ratio had a minor influence. This study is the first to describe ecological preferences of the three congeneric Ammonia species, still often generically pooled as A. tepida in the literature, by discriminating them using a stereomicroscope. The non-indigenous species A. confertitesta, noticeably outcompetes the indigenous foraminiferal species along the whole estuary. The presence of the commercial harbour of Bordeaux in the Gironde estuary suggests that it may have been introduced by mean of ballast waters. High abundances compared to those of other indigenous Ammonia species found in the Gironde estuary may also suggest that A. confertitesta has a real potential of invasiveness when environmental conditions are suitable.

Hierarchical clustering with spatial adjacency constraints in heavy-tailed areal data

Some natural phenomena with areal/lattice data structures include extreme values or outliers. In such situations, the assumption of Gaussianity for the random field may not be reasonable, and no Gaussian transformation can be found because they exhibit heavy tails. A non-Gaussian stable random field, which is heavy-tailed, could be a more appropriate choice in these cases. This article introduces a sub-Gaussian α-stable (SGαS) random field for spatial analysis of multivariate areal data using a multivariate conditional autoregressive model. We, specifically, focus on the spatial clustering problem of such areal data. To address it, we develop methods that work based on adjacency constraints. To group the data, we offer an adjacency-constrained hierarchical agglomerative clustering (HAC) technique that considers both spatial and non-spatial attributes existing in the multivariate areal data. The proposed clustering algorithm is developed based on spatial adjacency constraint criteria incorporated into the HAC technique. We employed the developed algorithm to group Luxembourg communes based on simulated areal data from the SGαS distributions and French cities along the Gironde estuary based on the estuary areal dataset. We compare the results of the proposed method with the mentioned adjacency criteria, various dissimilarity, and linkages measures in clustering these two datasets.

The HYPERMAQ dataset: bio-optical properties of moderately to extremely turbid waters

Abstract. Because of the large diversity of case 2 waters ranging from extremely absorbing to extremely scattering waters and the complexity of light transfer due to external terrestrial inputs, retrieving main biogeochemical parameters such as chlorophyll-a or suspended particulate matter concentration in these waters is still challenging. By providing optical and biogeochemical parameters for 180 sampling stations with turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration ranging from 1 to 700 FNU and from 0.9 to 180 mg m−3 respectively, the HYPERMAQ dataset will contribute to a better description of marine optics in optically complex water bodies and can help the scientific community to develop algorithms. The HYPERMAQ dataset provides biogeochemical parameters (i.e. turbidity, pigment and chlorophyll-a concentration, suspended particulate matter), apparent optical properties (i.e. water reflectance from above water measurements) and inherent optical properties (i.e. absorption and attenuation coefficients) from six different study areas. These study areas include large estuaries (i.e. the Rio de la Plata in Argentina, the Yangtze estuary in China, and the Gironde estuary in France), inland (i.e. the Spuikom in Belgium and Chascomùs lake in Argentina), and coastal waters (Belgium). The dataset is available from Lavigne et al. (2022) at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.944313.

First observations of seasonal bottom water deoxygenation off the Gironde estuary (Bay of Biscay, North East Atlantic)

Although not systematically considered as oxygen minimum zones, River-dominated Ocean Margins are sensitive to oxygen depletions. For example, the continental shelf off the Gironde, which flows into the Bay of Biscay, had not yet been studied from this perspective although recent simulations suggested that this area should already have experienced deoxygenations in recent decades. To fill this gap, profiles of temperature, salinity and dissolved oxygen were performed in the water column of the continental shelf off the Gironde during seven cruises distributed over the different seasons between 2016 and 2021. Turbidity, chlorophyll-a and pH were also measured during some of these cruises. In winter, the water column was slightly stratified due to high river flows. Then, a seasonal thermal stratification was present from spring to autumn. Similarly, dissolved oxygen showed a seasonal dynamic with: a well-oxygenated water column in winter, an oxygen oversaturation in the first 20 meters during the spring bloom, and then a progressive oxygen depletion in bottom waters until reaching an oxygen saturation minimum down to 45% in autumn. These deoxygenations are explained by the seasonal stratification that isolates the bottom waters from spring to autumn, and are likely enhanced by the advection of deoxygenated waters from the north of the Bay of Biscay and the settling of the organic matter produced in surface waters. A better understanding of these processes in the context of global warming undoubtedly requires better documentation of dissolved oxygen variability through the implementation of a long-term and continuous in situ monitoring.

Preservation of exopolymeric substances in estuarine sediments.

The surface of intertidal estuarine sediments is covered with diatom biofilms excreting exopolymeric substances (EPSs) through photosynthesis. These EPSs are highly reactive and increase sediment cohesiveness notably through organo-mineral interactions. In most sedimentary environments, EPSs are partly to fully degraded by heterotrophic bacteria in the uppermost millimeters of the sediment and so they are thought to be virtually absent deeper in the sedimentary column. Here, we present the first evidence of the preservation of EPSs and EPS-mineral aggregates in a 6-m-long sedimentary core obtained from an estuarine point bar in the Gironde Estuary. EPSs were extracted from 18 depth intervals along the core, and their physicochemical properties were characterized by (i) wet chemical assays to measure the concentrations of polysaccharides and proteins, and EPS deprotonation of functional groups, (ii) acid-base titrations, and (iii) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. EPS-sediment complexes were also imaged using cryo-scanning electron microscopy. EPS results were analyzed in the context of sediment properties including facies, grain size, and total organic carbon, and of metabolic and enzymatic activities. Our results showed a predictable decrease in EPS concentrations (proteins and polysaccharides) and reactivity from the surface biofilm to a depth of 0.5 m, possibly linked to heterotrophic degradation. Concentrations remained relatively low down to ca. 4.3 m deep. Surprisingly, at that depth EPSs abundance was comparable to the surface and showed a downward decrease to 6.08 m. cryo-scanning electron microscopy (Cryo-SEM) showed that the EPS complexes with sediment were abundant at all studied depth and potentially protected EPSs from degradation. EPS composition did not change substantially from the surface to the bottom of the core. EPS concentrations and acidity were anti-correlated with metabolic activity, but showed no statistical correlation with grain size, TOC, depth or enzymatic activity. Maximum EPS concentrations were found at the top of tide-dominated sedimentary sequences, and very low concentrations were found in river flood-dominated sedimentary sequences. Based on this observation, we propose a scenario where biofilm development and EPS production are maximal when (i) the point bar and the intertidal areas were the most extensive, i.e., tide-dominated sequences and (ii) the tide-dominated deposit were succeeded by rapid burial beneath sediments, potentially decreasing the probability of encounter between bacterial cells and EPSs.

Trace metal elements and organic contaminants are differently related to the growth and body condition of wild European sea bass juveniles.

Chemical contaminants are one of the causes of the ongoing degradation of coastal and estuarine nurseries, key functional habitats in which the juveniles of many marine species grow. As chemical contaminants can cause a decrease in the energy available and induce defence mechanisms reducing the amount of energy allocated to life history traits, quantifying their effect on the fitness of juvenile fish is key to understand their population-level consequences. However, these effects are primarily estimated experimentally or in the wild but on a limited number of contaminants or congeners that do not reflect the wide variety of chemical contaminants to which juvenile fish are exposed. To address this issue, we measured concentrations of 14 trace metal elements (TMEs) and bioaccumulative organic contaminants (OCs) in European sea bass juveniles (1-year-old) from three major French nurseries (Seine, Loire and Gironde estuaries). We tested the hypotheses that (i) levels and profiles of contaminants differed among studied nurseries, and ii) fish growth and body condition (based on morphometric measurements and muscle C:N ratio) were lower in individuals with higher contaminant concentrations. Multivariate analyses showed that each nursery had distinct contaminant profiles for both TMEs and OCs, confirming the specific contamination of each estuary, and the large array of contaminants accumulated by sea bass juveniles. Increasing concentrations in some TMEs were associated to decreased growth, and TMEs were consistently related to lower fish body condition. The effect of OCs was more difficult to pinpoint possibly due to operational constraints (i.e., analyses on pooled fish) with contrasting results (i.e., higher growth and decreased body condition). Overall, this study shows that chemical contaminants are related to lower fish growth and body condition at an early life stage in the wild, an effect that can have major consequences if sustained in subsequent ages and associated with a decline in survival and/or reproductive success.

New insights into trace metal speciation and interaction with phytoplankton in estuarine coastal waters

In coastal productive zones, phytoplankton activity may influence trace metal speciation and partitioning at short temporal scale. We coupled hourly in situ voltammetry quantification of the lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) potentially bioavailable fractions, using an innovative submersible sensing probe (the TracMetal), to surface water sampling for the quantification of the targeted trace metals in the dissolved <0.2 μm and <0.02 μm fractions, suspended particles, and phytoplankton nets in the Gironde Estuary mouth. The in situ TracMetal monitoring reflected real-time dynamic Cd and Cu regeneration related to algal cells under post-bloom conditions as well as Pb remobilization due to photoreduction of colloids. The potentially bioavailable fraction consisted in 30, 30–50 and <10 % of the total dissolved fraction for Pb, Cd, and Cu, respectively, representing crucial ecotoxicological information. Metal bioconcentration factors using the dynamic fraction concentrations showed levels up to 107 for Cu in phytoplankton.

Estuarine dissolved speciation and partitioning of trace metals: a novel approach to study biogeochemical processes

Estuaries are complex systems involving numerous biogeochemical gradients and processes that influence the behavior of trace metals. Lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), and copper (Cu) speciation and partitioning were studied in the Gironde Estuary (SW France), using a multi-method approach in which data from innovative sensors and laboratory-based techniques were combined. For the first time in this system, the so-called dynamic fractions of the target metals (dissolved forms that are potentially bioavailable) were recorded on-board through voltammetry using unique antifouling gel-integrated microelectrode arrays (GIME) incorporated in a submersible sensing probe (TracMetal). Trace metals in the operationally defined dissolved <0.2 μm and <0.02 μm fractions, as well as complexed with suspended particles (collected after centrifugation) were quantified through sampling/laboratory-based techniques. High spatial resolution trace metal concentrations were monitored along the salinity gradient (S = 0.10 to S = 34.0) together with master bio-physicochemical parameters providing robust cruise-specific information on how well-known abiotic and biotic processes control the Gironde estuarine trace element partitioning, (i.e. conservative behavior, addition/removal). Combining conventional methods with GIME measurements showed: (i) the dominance of Cd dynamic species in the intra-estuarine total dissolved fraction (up to 90%), (ii) the importance of small colloids as trace metal carrier phases, desorbing and complexing dynamic fractions of Pb and Cu, and (iii) the potential influence of photo-redox processes remobilizing Pb under their dynamic forms (up to 80%). Data also suggest trace metal release/sorption by phytoplankton with an increase of dissolved Cu concentrations in the riverine branch, as well as Cu and Cd particulate concentrations showing higher levels towards productive coastal waters. This complete approach allowed to monitor key estuarine biogeochemical processes and highlighted the valuable use of the TracMetal to record subtle variations of potentially bioavailable dissolved metal fractions.

Interoperability and computational framework for simulating open channel hydraulics: Application to sensitivity analysis and calibration of Gironde Estuary model

Water resource management is of crucial societal and economic importance, requiring a strong capacity for anticipating environmental change. Progress in physical process knowledge, numerical methods and computational power, allows us to address hydro-environmental problems of growing complexity. Modeling of river and marine flows is no exception. With the increase in IT resources, environmental modeling is evolving to meet the challenges of complex real-world problems. This paper presents a new distributed Application Programming Interface (API) of the open source telemac-mascaret system to run hydro-environmental simulations with the help of the interoperability concept. Use of the API encourages and facilitates the combination of worldwide reference environmental libraries with the hydro-informatic system. Consequently, the objective of the paper is to promote the interoperability concept for studies dealing with such issues as uncertainty propagation, global sensitivity analysis, optimization, multi-physics or multi-dimensional coupling. To illustrate the capability of the API, an operational problem for improving the navigation capacity of the Gironde Estuary is presented. The API potential is demonstrated in a re-calibration context. The API is used for a multivariate sensitivity analysis to quickly reveal the most influential parameters which can then be optimally calibrated with the help of a data assimilation technique.

Preservation and distribution of detrital clay coats in a modern estuarine heterolithic point bar in the Gironde estuary (Bordeaux, France)

ABSTRACT Estuaries provide an excellent depositional environment to study the interaction between minerals (clays, quartz sands…) and biofilms. The estuary bottom is largely covered by biofilms that impact sediment stability, the mud and clay-coat content in sands, and sedimentary-structure stability, thus influencing sandstone properties during burial. Although numerous oil, gas, and geothermal reservoirs are exploited in estuarine heterolithic point bars, many questions remain about the origin of reservoir properties and heterogeneities in these sedimentary bodies. In order to better understand the sedimentary and microbiologic processes in estuarine systems and to better predict the reservoir quality of estuarine sandstones, this study characterizes a modern heterolithic point bar located in the Garonne estuarine channel at various scales, ranging from the microscopic (thin section) to the macroscopic (core) scale. Three piston cores 4.5 to 6.8 m long were drilled in the Bordeaux North Point Bar. Three main facies were identified in these cores: 1) sandy gravel, 2) heterolithic, medium-grained sand dunes, and 3) thin heterolithic, fine-grained sand beds with mud drapes. The sands are classified as lithic arkoses to feldspathic litharenites. Detrital clay grain coats, which at deep burial depths are transformed to permeability preserving authigenic chlorite coatings, are observed from the base to the top of the point bar. These detrital clay grain coats are mainly composed of smectite, illite, kaolinite, and chlorite, intermixed with other components, such as diatoms or pyrite. Biofilms of exopolymeric substances (EPSs), mostly produced by diatoms, are believed to control the adhesion of the clay coats to the surface of sand grains. Quantification by thin section shows that on average about 30% of the sands are coated in the point bar. The proportion of clay-coated grains appears to be independent of facies. Radiocarbon age dating measured on organic matter points to significant vertical mixing, highlighting the significance of erosion and redeposition. The activities of 137Cs and 210Pb indicate a vertical sedimentation rate of ca. 0.02 m.yr–1 in the muddy chute channel. These ages, coupled to historical maps, suggest that the present-day point bar has developed over the last 300 years with a vertical sedimentation rate ranging from 0.015 to 0.036 m.y–1 and a lateral migration rate of about 1 m.y–1. The combination of sedimentary geology, thin-section petrography, and mineralogy at high spatial and temporal resolutions highlights the potential of this study area as a modern analogue for ancient tidally influenced point-bar deposits associated with clay coatings.

Gravitational Circulation as Driver of Upstream Migration of Estuarine Sand Dunes

AbstractSand dunes are large‐scale rhythmic bed patterns commonly occurring in sandy shelf seas, estuaries and rivers. Field observations of sand dunes in the Gironde estuary (France) have suggested that the gravitational circulation may cause seasonal reversal of asymmetry, which is linked to migration direction. In this study, we aim to unravel the influence of gravitational circulation on the migration of estuarine sand dunes. To this end, we present an idealized process‐based sand dune model with tide and river forcing, and the addition of a longitudinal salinity gradient (imposed diagnostically) that induces gravitational circulation. Linear stability analysis shows the emergence of dunes from a flat bed and confirms that reversal of dune migration may occur, provided the gravitational circulation is sufficiently strong compared to the river flow velocity. Lastly, we show that the migration direction of estuarine sand dunes is not necessarily the same as the direction of net sediment transport.

Multidecadal Evolution of the Turbidity Maximum Zone in a Macrotidal River Under Climate and Anthropogenic Pressures

AbstractClimate and human pressures can influence the evolution of estuarine sediment dynamics concurrently, but the understanding and quantification of their cause–effect relationships are still challenging due to the occurrence of complex hydro‐morpho‐sedimentary feedbacks. The Garonne Tidal River (GTR, upper Gironde Estuary, France) is a clear example of a system stressed by both anthropogenic and climate change, as it has been subject to decreasing river discharges, natural morphological changes, and gravel extraction. To understand the relative effect of each hydrological and geomorphological pressure on the turbidity maximum zone (TMZ), the sediment dynamics in the GTR over the last six decades was evaluated using the width‐averaged idealized iFlow model. Model results show a gradual increase in tidal amplitude and currents over the decades that has led to the upstream shift of the landward sediment‐transport capacity components (external M4 tide, spatial settling lag, and tidal return flow). The upstream displacement of the TMZ between the 1950s and the 2010s was estimated to be at least 19 km, of which about three fourth was induced by geomorphological changes and one fourth by hydrological changes. Concerning the geomorphological changes, the natural evolution of the lower Gironde morphology was the main pressure inducing the displacement of the TMZ in the GTR. Anthropogenic and natural changes in morphology and bed roughness in the GTR itself also contributed to this evolution. The natural geomorphological changes were, in turn, probably promoted by the evolution of sediment dynamics, so this study reveals the closed circle that governs the intensification of the TMZ.