Environmental monitoring

The environmental monitoring of the SEM-REV covers several themes:

EXPERTIS OF BENTHIC COMMUNITIES AND HABITATS

Objective: Evaluating the impact of demonstrators on benthic invertebrates (macrofauna) of soft substrates.
The number of benthic invertebrate species identified on SEM-REV varies between 43 and 69 function of the season: (a) Ampelisca brevicornis ; (b) Echinocardium cordatum et Astropecten irregularis ; (c) Pagurus forbesii ; (d) Lanice conchilega ; (e) Travisia forbesii ; (f) Thia scutellata ; (g) Aporrhais pespelecani ; (h) Moerella donacina ; (i) Gari tellinella.
The samples are sieved on a sorting table and all the organisms and sediments larger than 1 mm are recovered and fixed with formalin solution. In the laboratory the macrofauna is identified to the lowest taxonomic level and counted.
Biological and sedimentary samples are carried out with a Van Veen grab.

Partners

Ifremer, France Energies Marines, EDF-EN, Muséum d'Histoire Naturelle-Station marine de Concarneau, MAPPEM Geophysics, TBM, RTE, LPG, Université de Nantes

Funding

EOGP :
Funding : Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire

SPECIES :
Improved knowledge of potential interactions between power cables from MRE projects and benthic organisms in coastal marine ecosystems.

HOOPLA :
Study of the seabed under the influence of the Loire River which shelters unique ecosystems such as Haploops fields (small tube-dwelling amphipod crustaceans).
Funding: Région Pays de la Loire, WEAMEC

EXPERTISE OF THE BIOCOLONISATION OF INFRASTRUCTURES

Objectives:
  • Evaluating the reef effect and the kinetics of the biocolonisation;
  • Improving our knowledge on the evolution of the biocolonisation in order to refine the predictions of the behaviour and the design of the infrastructures.

38 sessile species (organisms attached to a substrate) are observed on SEM-REV


Visual inspection of concrete mattresses with ROV (outside the SEM-REV site) during the POPCORE campaign in May 2016 on Haliotis Ifremer vessel. (DOI reference: 10.17600/16005300): (a) European lobster (Homarus gammarus) ; (b) edible crab (Cancer pagurus) ; (c) squat lobsters, (Galathea sp.) ; (d) European spider crab (Maja brachydactyla) ; (e) European conger  (Conger conger) with an edible crab (Cancer pagurus) ; (f) frilled anemone completely contracted (Metridium senile)

Funding

MCO SEM-REV :
Funding: Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire, Département Loire Atlantique

ABIOP :
The effects and extent of biofouling on MRE systems are poorly understood and represent a challenge for engineers in the design and maintenance phases that may impact OECL.The ABIOP project by bringing together expertise in marine biology, marine metrology and structural design aims to provide the reliable input data needed for engineering.
Funding: Investissements d'avenir

Partners

Ifremer, France Energies Marines, EDF-EN, Université de Nantes, Université de Toulon, Naval Energies, Naval Group, Corrodys

EXPERTISE OF PELAGIC COMMUNITIES

Objectives:
  • Deepening knowledge about the marine environment and the environment of the SEM-REV test site;
  • Evaluating the reef effect.

Bunch of cods (Trisopterus luscus) near an export cable stabilisation device on the SEM-REV site.

Partners

Idéol, RSK, Ifremer, SIMRAD

Funding

FLOATGEN:
Funding: FLOATGEN, Union Européenne-Seventh framework programme, Investissements d'avenir

ECHOSONDE:
Development of a multi-instrumented probe to monitor by integrated acoustics the potential impacts of marine renewable energies on the pelagic ecosystem.
Funding: Région Pays de la Loire, WEAMEC

EXPERTISE OF MARINE MEGAFAUNA

Objectives:
  • Evaluating the impact of the Demonstrators on the marine megafauna;
  • Deepening knowledges about the marine environment and the environment of the SEM-REV test site.
What are commonly called marine megafauna are all the species of mammals, birds, turtles, rays and sharks that are occasionally present or are truly resident of the marine environment.
Biological observations sheet during maintenance operations
Near the SEM-REV site, 28 bird species have been identified (study of Fortin and al. in 2014 and updated by Mousseau in 2017) and 7 species of marine mammals are likely to be observed (study of Martinez and al. in 2013 and updated by Martinez in 2017) : (a) Razorbill (Alca torda) ; (b) Short-beaked common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) ; (c) Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) ; (d) Northern gannet (Morus bassanus) with a group of adult and juvenile seagulls (Laridés sp.) ; (e) and (f) Balearic shearwater (Puffinus mauretanicus).
The assessment of the impacts on marine mammals is coupled with an underwater acoustic expertise.

There are 18 species of bats that are likely to frequent the SEM-REV test site and its surroundings, especially during migration periods (spring and autumn).

Funding

EOGP :
Funding: Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire

Partners

EDF-EN

EXPERTISE OF HYDROSEDIMENTARY DYNAMICS

Objective: Evaluating the impact of the demonstrators during the construction and operational phase on the physical environment:
  • Changing in nature and quality of the sediments;
  • Refining predictions of sedimentary movements.

Acoustic surveys (side scan sonar and bathymetry) are associated with sediment quality analyses (grain size, organic matter concentration and contaminants concentrations).

Funding

Funding: Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire

HOOPLA :
Study of the seabed under the influence of the Loire River which shelters unique ecosystems such as Haploops fields (small tube-dwelling amphipod crustaceans).
Funding: Région Pays de la Loire, WEAMEC

Partenaires

LPG, Université de Nantes

EXPERTISE OF WATER QUALITY

Objective: Verifying the absence of contamination generated by the installation of the equipment of the SEM-REV test site.

In addition to maintain a register of products and materials used on SEM-REV, measurements are made occasionally using a multi-parameters probe, and biological indicators of water quality are studied.

Funding

FLOATGEN:
Funding: FLOATGEN, Union Européenne-Seventh framework programme, Investissements d'avenir

Partners

Idéol, RSK, LBCM, UBS

EXPERTISE ON UNDERWATER NOISE AND VIBRATION

Objectives:
  • Establishing the initial state;
  • Evaluating the underwater sound emergence of the work phase and its effects on marine mammals.
Mapping of the statistical underwater background noise in summer (study conducted by Quiet-Oceans in 2017)
Deployment of passive acoustic recorders during the installation of FLOATGEN mooring lines (study conducted by Nereis environment in 2017)

Funding

EOGP:
Funding: Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire

FLOATGEN:
Funding: FLOATGEN, Union Européenne-Seventh framework programme, Investissements d'avenir

Partners

EDF-EN

LANDSCAPE EXPERTISE

Objectives:
  • Defining the landscape diagnosis;
  • Evaluating the visual impacts and proposing landscape recommendations.
Photomontage of Croisic Pointe Sud (19.3km away from SEM-REV sea test site)
Photomontage transformed using a graphic filter
 
Photomontage realized as part of a landscape impact study in SEM-REV EIA (Atelier de l'Île & GEOPHOM in 2013).

Funding

EOGP:
Funding: Investissements d'avenir, Préfecture des Pays de la Loire, Région Pays de la Loire

Partners

EDF-EN
Published on June 30, 2017 Updated on January 15, 2021