Reef effect of wind farms on primary production and the first links in the food web in the eastern English Channel

I am currently working on the EOL-REEF project, which focuses on the effects of offshore wind farms on the functioning of marine ecosystems. In the English Channel, the rapid installation of these infrastructures is altering marine habitats and may lead to the emergence of a reef effect, linked to the presence of new submerged structures that serve as substrates for many species.

My research focuses more specifically on the impact of these structures on primary production and the first levels of the food web in the eastern English Channel. I am studying these processes in the area between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fécamp, off the coast of the Bay of Seine, a region strongly influenced by nutrient inputs from the Seine and characterized by high biological productivity.

In this context, I am participating in oceanographic campaigns conducted between 2026 and 2028 aboard the vessel NORMANDSEA. These campaigns enable high-frequency monitoring of various physical, chemical, and biological parameters in order to identify any changes in phytoplankton dynamics and primary production linked to the presence of wind farms. Automated instrumentation is used to continuously measure primary production and characterize planktonic diversity.

I am also interested in the biogeochemical fluxes associated with the reef effect, particularly the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and silica cycles. To this end, I am working on an instrumented pilot site in the Bay of Seine, comprising experimental artificial structures that enable the study of the coupling between benthic and pelagic compartments, as well as trophic transfers. Complementary experiments in mesocosms are used to explore the ecological mechanisms involved.
This work aims to better understand how offshore wind infrastructure can influence the productivity of marine ecosystems and the first links in the food web, in order to improve the assessment of ecological impacts related to development.