Measurement of the diameter of biocolonised moorings and biofouling composition at T+6 months of immersion.

Database of images collected at ABIOP monitoring sites (UTLN = Mola buoy offshore Banyuls, SEMREV = special marks east and north, UN = biocolmar buoy) + report on biofouling characterisation (rapport_taxo_ABIOP_provisoire)

Synthesis of existing data for the modeling work to follow (modeling in the deliverables of lot 3)

The consequences of climate change for marine organisms are now well-known, and include metabolism and behavior modification, distribution area shifts and changes in the community. In the Bay of Biscay, the potential environmental niches of subtropical non-indigenous species (NIS) are projected to expand as a response to sea temperature rise by the mid-century under the RCP8.5 climate change scenario. In this context, this study aims to project the combined effects of changes in indigenous species distribution and metabolism and NIS arrivals on the functioning of the Bay of Biscay trophic network. To do this, we created six different Ecopath food web models: a “current situation” trophic model (2007–2016) and five “future” trophic models. The latter five models included various NIS biomass combinations to reflect different potential scenarios of NIS arrivals. For each model, eight Ecological Network Analysis (ENA) indices were calculated, describing the properties of the food web resulting from the sum of interactions between organisms. Our results illustrate that rising temperature increases the quantity of energy passing through the system due to increased productivity. A decrease in the biomass of some trophic groups due to the reduction of their potential environmental niches also leads to changes in the structure of the trophic network. The arrival of NIS is projected to change the fate of organic matter within the ecosystem, with higher cycling, relative ascendency, and a chain-like food web. It could also cause new trophic interactions that could lead to competition and thus modify the food-web structure, with lower omnivory and higher detritivory. The combined impacts (increasing temperatures and NIS arrivals) could lower the resilience and resistance of the system.

Measurement of the diameter of the biocolonised moorings and the composition of the biofouling at T+12 months of immersion.

Proposal of protocols for measuring several biofouling variables (fresh weight in air, fresh weight in water, biovolume, thickness) that were tested during the project.

Report describing the methodology and results of the simulations

Monitoring data on biomass (fresh weight in air and water), biovolume, thickness.

The objective of the ANODE project was to quantify the chemical compounds emitted by the galvanic anodes of ORE structures and the risk associated with their dispersion in the marine environment. By combining ecotoxicological expertise and hydrodynamic modelling, the ANODE project has determined that there is no risk associated with most of the elements making up galvanic anodes, namely zinc, iron, copper and cadmium. On the other hand, concerning aluminium, additional experiments are necessary to conclude. The two currently available Predicted No-Effect Concentrations (PNECs) do not seem suitable for this assessment. These thresholds must therefore be refined and include data from in situ measurements in order to be able to estimate the possible risk associated with aluminium releases.

The objective of the ABIOP project was to develop biofouling characterisation and quantification methods to make the design and maintenance of ORE systems more reliable. ABIOP has identified the research needs that will enable better identification and management of the risks relating to the ORE components most sensitive to biofouling. Initial in situ measurements were also carried out to characterise biocolonisation in the Atlantic and Mediterranean from an engineering and environmental point of view. The necessary additional studies are being carried out within the framework of the ABIOP+ project.