Research topics

Applied research areas in marine physical chemistry (specializing in trace metals, TMEs):

• Study of the toxicity of TMEs in marine organisms.

Monitoring of coastal water quality for the surveillance of TMEs; for the past 15 years, study of the impact of galvanic anode degradation in harbors and in the context of MRE development. In-situ approaches through active and passive biomonitoring (caging) using natural bioindicators, exposure under controlled conditions to measure effects (toxicity tests conducted under chronic and acute conditions) and bioconcentration/bioaccumulation of ETMS in marine organisms.

• Characterization of marine biofilms and biofouling in collaboration with the Corrodys laboratory (www.corrodys.com) in Cherbourg-en-Cotentin.

Research programs:

• BIOSTEM (Normandy Council, 2022-2025). Development and optimization of a standardized consortium of marine macro- and micro-organisms with the aim of setting up materials testing under controlled conditions. Partners: Corrodys (coordinator), BOREA, SMEL, EDF, Naval Group.
• ECOCAP (ANR-FEM, 2021-2024), scientific pilote. ECOtoxicology analysis of CAthodic Protections to assess the chemical risk of elements released from Galvanic Anode (GACP) and Impressed Current (ICCP) on the marine environment and its food web. Partners: France Energies Marines (coordinateur), Borea (pilotage scientifique), Smel (Synergie Mer et Littoral), Université de Toulon-SeaTech (MAPIEM), Université d’Aix-Marseille (LCE), UBS (LBCM), Ifremer (ARC, LER PAC, LBCM et MARBEC), INERIS (ARC), INRAE, Station Ifremer de Palavas (GABI). Partenaires privés : Institut de la Corrosion ; CEDRE ; EDF Renewables ; EOLFI/Shell ; Engie Green ; Qair ; Rte ; Saipem ; RWE ; WPD
• ANODE (ANR-FEM, 2019-2020). Modeling the quantities of metals released by aluminum anodes protecting the metal structures of French offshore wind farms. Partners: FEM (Brest, coordinateur), Ifremer, BOREA, Mapiem (université de Toulon), EDF EN, Naval Energies, RTE, Eolfi.
• LIPRA (Normandy Council, 2016-2018). Synthesis of new anti-corrosion and anti-fouling coatings from polymerizable ionic liquids. Impact of synthesized coatings on marine organisms. Partners: LCMT (coordinateur, Unicaen-Ensicaen), CORRODYS, Borea.
• TALINE (Hauts-de-France Council and CCI of Calais, 2012-2017). Study of the transfer of metallic elements from galvanic aluminum anodes to the environment. Partners: Accoast (coordinator, Vannes), Port of Calais, Borea, Smel, Cnam/Intechmer, Labéo Manche, Naval Group research, LaSie (University of La Rochelle).
• SPONTOX (Normandy Council, 2010-2013). Compare the potential of the sponge Hymeniacidon perlevis as a bioindicator of coastal and harbor water quality with that of the mussel Mytilus edulis. Partners: Smel (leader), ERPCB and Borea (Unicaen), Cnam/Intechmer, Labéo Manche.
• REI (ANR – DGA, 2010-2013). Characterization of the marine biofilm leading to corrosion of stainless alloys in seawater. Partners: CORRODYS (coordinator, Cherbourg), ERPCB (Unicaen), Ifremer Brest, DCNS Cherbourg, Arago (Banyuls-sur-mer).
• EFFORTS (FP-6 DG, 2006-2009). Inventory of aluminum contamination from anodes in the various compartments of the port environment (water, sediment, biotope). Responsible for WP 2.2.2 entitled “Water Quality in port”, in which I developed the theme of aluminum bioaccumulation in natural mussel populations. Partners (in France): CORRODYS (Cherbourg, coordinator), port of Le Havre, ERPCB (Unicaen), Ifremer La Tremblade, Cetmef.