Global budget assessment of natural and anthropogenic particulate copper fluxes to the Gulf of Lions.

Drainage basin of the Gulf of Lions is largely dominated by vineyards which require the extensive use of Cu fungicides, leading to continuous copper accumulation in surface soils. In this area, soils depict among the highest Cu pollution levels in Europe. In order to draw up a global budget of Cu fluxes to the Gulf of Lions, our approach is based on long-term monitoring of Cu levels in riverine suspended sediments of the Rhone river and coastal Mediterranean river, as well as atmospheric deposits.

Morphological variations and demographic responses of the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa to heterogeneous aquatic habitats.

Human activities affect terrestrial and aquatic habitats leading to changes at both individual and population levels in wild animal species. In this study, we investigated the phenotype and demographics of the Mediterranean pond turtle Mauremys leprosa (Schweigger, 1812) in contrasted environments of Southern France: two peri-urban rivers receiving effluents from wastewater treatment plants (WWTP), and another one without sewage treatment plant. Our findings revealed the presence of pesticides and pharmaceuticals in the three rivers of investigation, the highest diversities and concentrations of pollutants being found in the river subsections impacted by WWTP effluents.