Estimation and analysis of biogeochemical variability in global coastal waters and impact towards higher trophic levels

The first objective of the GLOBCOAST project is to assess and analyze the seasonal, interannual and decadal evolution of global coastal waters in terms of biogeochemical composition (nitrogen, carbon, water, hydrogen, oxygen, phosphorus, sulfur, metals) from satellite observations of ocean color. The parameters recorded are analyzed in conjunction with measurements made on site and by modelling. This project also provides a better understanding of the origin of phytoplankton (microalgae) variability in the coastal environment.

The second objective of this project is to analyze the potential link between the variability of the environmental parameters, assessed in the first part of the project, and the variability of shrimp and fish stocks (organisms of higher trophic levels). Indicators of the economic impact of the detected environmental disturbances are proposed. The study is carried out in three highly contrasting areas covering a wide variety of environmental conditions in the coastal zones: the Channel and North Sea, the main coastal upwelling systems.