sp. nov., a hyperthermophilic and piezophilic archaeon isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal vent at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge.

A coccoid-shaped, strictly anaerobic, hyperthermophilic and piezophilic organoheterotrophic archaeon, strain Iri35c, was isolated from a hydrothermal chimney rock sample collected at a depth of 2300 m at the Mid-Atlantic Ridge (Rainbow vent field). Cells of strain Iri35c grew at NaCl concentrations ranging from 1-5 % (w/v) (optimum 2.0 %), from pH 5.

Persephonella atlantica sp. nov.: How to adapt to physico-chemical gradients in high temperature hydrothermal habitats.

A novel thermophilic, microaerophilic and anaerobic, hydrogen- sulphur- and thiosulphate-oxidising bacterium, designated MO1340, was isolated from a deep-sea hydrothermal chimney collected from the Lucky Strike hydrothermal vent field on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. Cells were short, motile rods of 1.4-2.

Influence of oyster culture on biogeochemistry and bacterial community structure at the sediment-water interface.

Bacterial community structure and some biogeochemical parameters were studied in the sediment of two Pacific oyster farming sites, Aber Benoît (AB) and Rivière d'Auray (RA) in Brittany (France), to examine the ecological impact of oysters and to evaluate the emission of sulfide and ammonia from sediment. At AB, the organic matter accumulated in the sediment beneath the oyster tables was rapidly mineralized, with strong fluxes of ammonia and sulfide that reached 1014 and 215 μmol m(-2) h(-1), respectively, in June 2007. At RA, the fluxes were about half as strong on average and better distributed through the year.

Occurrence and seasonality of Vibrio aestuarianus in sediment and Crassostrea gigas haemolymph at two oyster farms in France.

Vibrio aestuarianus is frequently found in coastal areas and can infect and induce mortalities in the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. However, nothing is known about its distribution and seasonality in the estuarine environment, especially where oyster farming is practiced. Its occurrence was investigated in sediment and oyster haemolymph at 2 oyster farms in Brittany (France) over 2 yr during 2 periods, from June to September 2007 and from February to June 2008.

Influence of sex, maturity and reproduction on PCB and p,p'DDE concentrations and repartitions in the European hake (Merluccius merluccius, L.) from the Gulf of Lions (N.W. Mediterranean).

The main objective of this work was to establish the influence of sex, maturity and reproduction on the contamination of the demersal fish Merluccius merluccius by organochlorine compounds. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and p,p'DDE were quantified in muscle, liver and gonads of female and male hakes collected in the Gulf of Lions in 2004 and 2005. Observed levels appeared higher than the population of the Bay of Biscay and lower than the population of the Thyrrenian Sea.

An autonomous nutrient analyzer for oceanic long-term in situ biogeochemical monitoring.

An autonomous nutrient analyzer in situ (ANAIS) has been developed to monitor nitrate, silicate, and phosphate concentrations while deployed at sea at pressure (down to 1000 m). Detection is made by spectrophotometry. The instrument uses solenoid-driven diaphragm pumps to propel the sample, the standards, and the reagents through a microconduit, flow injection-style thermostated manifold.