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Application of a multidisciplinary and integrative weight-of-evidence approach to a 1-year monitoring survey of the Seine River

  • Spatial and temporal patterns of anthropogenic influence in a large river basin. A multidisciplinary approach
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Abstract

Quality assessment of environments under high anthropogenic pressures such as the Seine Basin, subjected to complex and chronic inputs, can only be based on combined chemical and biological analyses. The present study integrates and summarizes a multidisciplinary dataset acquired throughout a 1-year monitoring survey conducted at three workshop sites along the Seine River (PIREN-Seine program), upstream and downstream of the Paris conurbation, during four seasonal campaigns using a weight-of-evidence approach. Sediment and water column chemical analyses, bioaccumulation levels and biomarker responses in caged gammarids, and laboratory (eco)toxicity bioassays were integrated into four lines of evidence (LOEs). Results from each LOE clearly reflected an anthropogenic gradient, with contamination levels and biological effects increasing from upstream to downstream of Paris, in good agreement with the variations in the structure and composition of bacterial communities from the water column. Based on annual average data, the global hazard was summarized as “moderate” at the upstream station and as “major” at the two downstream ones. Seasonal variability was also highlighted; the winter campaign was least impacted. The model was notably improved using previously established reference and threshold values from national-scale studies. It undoubtedly represents a powerful practical tool to facilitate the decision-making processes of environment managers within the framework of an environmental risk assessment strategy.

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Acknowledgments

This work was supported by the French research program PIREN-Seine. The authors would also like to thank the Aquitaine Region, the European Union (CPER A2E project), and the European Regional Development Fund for their financial support. This study was also carried out within the framework of the COTE Cluster of Excellence (ANR-10-LABX-45). IdEx Bordeaux (ANR-10-IDEX-03-02) provided the PhD grant allocated to G. Munoz. Finally, the authors would like to thank Annie Buchwalter for English revision of the manuscript.

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Barjhoux, I., Fechner, L.C., Lebrun, J.D. et al. Application of a multidisciplinary and integrative weight-of-evidence approach to a 1-year monitoring survey of the Seine River. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 23404–23429 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6993-6

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