A ten-year numerical hindcast of hydrodynamics and sediment dynamics in the Loire Estuary.

A numerical hindcast of the macrotidal Loire Estuary (France) has been generated to provide a long-term dataset (2008-2018) of estuarine hydrodynamics, temperature, salinity, and sediment dynamics. This hindcast is based on simulations coupling water motion, wave and mixed sediment models, forced with realistic conditions and extensively validated in the salinity gradient and turbidity maximum areas. These data represent extremely valuable information for diverse scientific communities, providing (i) environmental parameters for ecosystemic studies along the Loire River-sea continuum, (ii) a singular estuarine configuration for inter-comparison of estuarine functioning, and (iii) a ten-year synoptical view of a major estuarine environment of the North Atlantic Ocean.

Development of emergency response tools for accidental radiological contamination of French coastal areas.

The Fukushima nuclear accident resulted in the largest ever accidental release of artificial radionuclides in coastal waters. This accident has shown the importance of marine assessment capabilities for emergency response and the need to develop tools for adequately predicting the evolution and potential impact of radioactive releases to the marine environment. The French Institute for Radiological Protection and Nuclear Safety (IRSN) equips its emergency response centre with operational tools to assist experts and decision makers in the event of accidental atmospheric releases and contamination of the terrestrial environment.

Effects of oceanic salinity on body condition in sea snakes.

Since the transition from terrestrial to marine environments poses strong osmoregulatory and energetic challenges, temporal and spatial fluctuations in oceanic salinity might influence salt and water balance (and hence, body condition) in marine tetrapods. We assessed the effects of salinity on three species of sea snakes studied by mark-recapture in coral-reef habitats in the Neo-Caledonian Lagoon. These three species include one fully aquatic hydrophiine (Emydocephalus annulatus), one primarily aquatic laticaudine (Laticauda laticaudata), and one frequently terrestrial laticaudine (Laticauda saintgironsi).