The internship offer “Understanding the reef effect of offshore wind farms on biogeochemical fluxes and primary production in the Eastern English Channel” will be carried out as part of the EOL-REEF project.
Scientific context :
The EOL-REEF project is set within a context of intense anthropogenic pressure in the English Channel, which is subject to multiple environmental pressures, while offshore wind farm development is rapidly expanding, particularly between Courseulles-sur-Mer and Fécamp. This area is strongly influenced by inputs from the Seine estuary, which are rich in nutrients and have a major influence on primary productivity.The main objective of the project is to assess the reef effect induced by submerged wind turbine structures and to analyse its consequences for primary production and lower trophic levels, particularly in this area under strong estuarine influence.
The project is structured around two complementary actions. The first action aims to detect a biogeochemical signal at the sub-mesoscale (<100 km) associated with reef effects on phytoplankton dynamics and primary production. Six annual surveys will be conducted from 2026 to 2028 aboard the NORMANDSEA research vessel, using a high-frequency spatiotemporal monitoring system covering physicochemical, biological and isotopic parameters. This monitoring relies on innovative automated instrumentation designed to continuously characterise primary production and plankton diversity, while enabling rapid data integration through highly automated processing.
The second action focuses on the detailed study of biogeochemical fluxes (carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and silica) associated with the reef effect, using an instrumented pilot site in the Bay of Seine, monitored through three National Observation Services. This site includes experimental artificial structures, allowing the analysis of benthic-pelagic coupling, trophic transfers and functional diversity. Innovative approaches, combined with mesocosm experiments, will complement the analysis.
The internship will be carried out as part of the Action 1 of the project. This part of the project is conducted in close collaboration with Ifremer LERN – Port-en-Bessin, particularly with Maxime Navon.
Internship objectives :
The main objective will be to analyse the spatial variability of phytoplankton photobiology and primary production, and then to identify the main environmental factors explaining this variability.
Particular attention will be paid to distinguishing between natural variability associated with the estuarine gradient, hydrodynamic conditions and seasonality, and any potential changes observed in areas influenced by offshore wind farm infrastructure.
Proposed work :
Participate in research cruises at sea.
Analyse variable fluorescence measurements obtained using the LabSTAF system in order to characterise the physiological state of phytoplankton and its photosynthetic performance.
Estimate primary production from bio-optical and physiological measurements and contribute to their validation/calibration by comparison with available reference measurements and measurements produced during the internship.
Analyse phytoplankton community structure using flow cytometry data (Cytosens) and other available observations.
Investigate relationships between primary production, phytoplankton physiology, community structure and environmental gradients.
Compare the different areas and sampling periods in order to identify spatial signatures associated with the Seine plume, hydrodynamic conditions and offshore wind farm areas.
The internship will combine phytoplankton ecophysiology, coastal oceanography, data processing and statistical analysis. This part of the project will be carried out in collaboration with Maxime Navon from Ifremer Port-en-Bessin.
Candidate profile :
We are looking for a Master’s student (second year) in marine ecology, oceanography, marine biology or a related field, with an interest in phytoplankton ecophysiology and data analysis.
Experience with R is desirable. The internship will involve a substantial amount of data processing and will include research cruises at sea and laboratory analyses.
Internship dates: January to June 2027 Research team: FORSEAS – Biodiversity and Functioning of Anthropized Coastal Ecosystems Internship location: CREC, Luc-sur-Mer Marine Station – UR MERSEA Application deadline: October 15, 2026 Contact: Pascal CLAQUIN – pascal.claquin@unicaen.fr
