Traversing European Coastlines
An expedition to study coastal ecosystems and their response to the environment, from molecules to communities
As part of the TREC expedition, the Vincent lab at EMBL investigated how pesticides affect marine microbial communities along the Atlantic coasts of France and Spain. We tested the effects of four widely used pesticides on microbial communities collected from six locations between Lorient and Cadix. Our results will show if and how these four pesticides affect diversity of microbial communities, especially photosynthetic microorganisms.
Ifremer and EMBL teams will identify microorganism and meiofauna communities associable to specific chemical pollutions in superficial sediments collected across Europe. This project will assess how chemical contaminants affect taxonomic and functional diversity, and will identify potential indicator species as proxies of chemical contaminations (BIOcean5D and CONTRAST).
As part of the CONTRAST project, two types of optimised methods will be applied to selected TREC sediment samples to map Contaminants of Emerging Concern (CECs). Three types of chemical contaminants (metals and rare earth elements, targeted organic pollutants, and untargeted organic pollutants) will be assessed in surface sediment samples using multi-component analytical tools e.g. TQ-ICP-MS, LC-HRMS, Maldi-TOF. CONTRAST is a Horizon Europe project funded by the EU.
We aim to utilise barium (Ba) isotopic signatures as a powerful tool for tracing various environmental processes, particularly in coastal ecosystems. By analysing Ba isotopic signatures in soils, rivers, and seawater, we can gain insights into Ba cycling and its interaction with physical and biogeochemical processes. Ba isotopes can help trace long-term changes in river discharges, continental margin inputs, and past ocean productivity. This work will be done at LEMAR (FRA).
This project investigates organophosphate esters (OPEs) and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in European coastal waters. By combining targeted and non-targeted chemical analysis with microbial data from the TREC expedition, the Vila-Costa group at the IDAEA-CSIC in Barcelona aims to assess pollution sources, distribution, and potential biodegradation of these persistent and toxic compounds.
This project aims to study the distribution and the concentration of metals along the European coastline by analyzing a large number of soils and sediments. In addition to the metal distribution, our group (Ifremer and Nantes University) studies the potential sources (natural and anthropogenic sources) and transport of these pollutants. We will also assess the potential risk to wildlife and biodiversity.
Trace metals play a key role in marine ecosystems. Their spatial distribution along Europe’s coasts is essential for assessing ecosystem health and managing human-induced pressures. Originating from both natural and anthropogenic sources, they influence biogeochemical processes and enable the tracing of water masses and ocean dynamics. Their monitoring contributes to a better understanding of long-term environmental changes, and supports the development of policies to protect coastal zones and adapt to climate change.
NIVA, IEO, and Ifremer will evaluate the effects of sediment contamination on organisms (microalgae, echinoderms, bivalves, and fish) at different trophic levels and life stages through Effect-Directed Analysis (EDA). Sediments collected along the Mediterranean coastline contain pristine-like areas, areas influenced by agriculture, and those impacted by urbanization and port activities. This work is part of the CONTRAST project, a Horizon Europe initiative funded by the EU.
Concentrations and isotopic compositions of lithium will be measured in waters in order to quantify anthropogenic contamination in littoral waters impacted by variable river inputs and anthropogenic activities (LOV, CNR, and supported by ERC Adv SeaLi2Bio project).
TREC projects are highly collaborative, involving EMBL and partner institutes. View the expanding project portfolio.