Integrated Research Project

• Thesis title: BIOEXTRACT
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2021

The BioExtracT project(Le BIOmimétisme au service de l'EXTRACtion des Terres rares issues de sources secondaires) is an initiative of the Institut ITEM of Aix-Marseille Université, coordinated by Blanche Colin of CEREGE.

This project aims to develop innovative processes for extracting critical metals, in particular rare earths (REEs), from secondary sources such as industrial and mining residues. The approach is based on biomimicry, drawing inspiration from natural biological mechanisms to design extraction methods that are more respectful of the environment.

The main objectives of the BioExtracT project are :

• Identify biological molecules involved in the transfer of rare earths to living organisms.
• Test the complexation potential of these molecules for rare earths, by carrying out selective leaching tests on mining or industrial residues.

In a context of increasing pressure on strategic metal Resources, the production of critical metals from secondary sources is essential to support the development of technologies dependent on these materials, particularly those linked to the ecological transition. The BioExtracT project is therefore part of a circular economy and sustainable development approach, proposing innovative solutions for the recovery of industrial and mining waste.

The project has been selected as part of the ITEM Institute's call for projects in 2021, aimed at promoting interdisciplinary research in favor of environmental transition.

• Thesis title: ICCA-RE
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2021

The ICCA-RE(Indigenous and Community Conserved Area for social-ecological REsilience?) project is an initiative of Aix-Marseille Université's ITEM Institute, coordinated by Didier Genin of the Laboratoire Population Environnement Développement (LPED).

The project aims to study the resilience of socio-ecological systems managed collectively by local communities, focusing on mountain pastoral areas in Andalusia, notably Castril, Santiago and Pontones.

The specific objectives of the ICCA-RE project are as follows:

• Analyze collective management and decision-making processes in these pastoral areas, as well as their dynamics in terms of livelihoods.
• Study the impacts of different levels of community governance on floristic composition, plant structure and phytomass production.

By contributing to current debates on the benefits, limits and potential of areas conserved by local communities, the ICCA-RE project seeks to promote modes of governance for natural resources that foster the resilience of socio-ecological systems in the face of global change.

• Thesis title: POP
• Type of project: Research
• Event : 2020

The POP Transition project (Des polluants réglementaires aux polluants émergents - Impact des politiques de gestion sur la transition écologique en zone littorale méditerranéenne) is an initiative of Aix Marseille Université's ITEM Institute. Its aim is to study the contamination of the Mediterranean coastline by brominated flame retardants (BFRs), priority or emerging hazardous substances.

The main aim of the project is to develop sampling tools, multi-scale sampling stations and biological indices, and to conduct field surveys to assess the impact of these pollutants on the chemical quality of the environment, coastal habitats, benthic ecosystems and fishery resources. This work also aims to understand the consequences of this contamination on fishing.

The results expected from the POP Transition project should provide monitoring tools for assessing the effectiveness of water resources management policies. These tools will help to guide industry and society towards an ecological transition, by responding to the challenges posed by the growing and evolving input of anthropogenic contaminants in coastal areas.

The project is part of a broader approach to environmental transition, developing sentinel methods to address biodiversity loss and environmental health risks associated with emerging pollutants.

• Thesis title: ALCOVE
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2020

The ALCOVE (AgricuLture bioContrôle biOfertilisant ViticolEs) project is an initiative of Aix-Marseille Université's ITEM Institute, running from 2020 to 2024, aimed at developing sustainable agricultural practices in winegrowing systems.

ALCOVE's main objective is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of biocontrol products and a biofertilizer developed from agricultural by-products fermented in solid media.

The project brings together experts in environmental and social sciences to optimize production and test these innovative solutions, while involving local stakeholders in the development of the project.

Project members include Isabelle Laffont-Schwob, project partner, and Flor Regus, a PhD student involved in the evaluation of these new agricultural practices.

ALCOVE is part of a circular economy approach, aimed at respecting human health and the biodiversity of agrosystems, while increasing the sustainability of viticultural practices.

• Thesis title: RAPMED
• Type of project: Research
• Event : 2020

The RapMed (Automated Plankton Recognition to identify Ecological Transitions and Shifts in the Mediterranean) project is an initiative of Aix Marseille Université's ITEM Institute, aimed at studying the effects of recent environmental changes on planktonic communities in the Gulf of Lion.

The project focuses on analyzing the dynamics of planktonic communities at high resolution and different size scales, applying high-throughput image processing methods based on machine learning, in particular convolutional neural networks.

The results expected from RapMed should improve our understanding of the variability of planktonic communities and their resilience in the face of environmental change.

The project was also presented at the OSU Pytheas Scientific Day on Artificial Intelligence, highlighting the ParticleTrieur tool used in RapMed.

In addition, an 18-month post-doctoral position linked to the RapMed project was published, highlighting the importance of phytoplankton time series analysis for understanding ecological transitions in the Mediterranean.

• Thesis title : MIRIADE
• Type of project: Research
• Event : 2022

The MIRIADE project aims to develop a graphical and cartographic tool for representing multi-hazard scenarios, combining different natural and technological hazards. The aim is to aid decision-making and communication with a wide audience by identifying, constructing and representing dynamic, multi-scale event scenarios in a way that is comprehensible and adapted to the various risk management stakeholders. The project is based on an interdisciplinary approach, including computer science, environmental sciences, engineering, and human and social sciences. Case studies will focus on Mediterranean territories exposed to risks such as earthquakes, floods, forest fires and the failure of hydraulic structures. Training activities based on the project results will be offered to students from various disciplines.

• Thesis title: LITOSMED
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2022

The LITOSMED project studies emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), mainly biogenic (VBOCs), from plant litter in Mediterranean urban and forest environments. These compounds play an important role in tropospheric ozone and secondary organic aerosol (SOA) training, affecting air quality and ecosystems.

Although "green" vegetation is frequently studied as a source of VOCs, litter, which represents a biomass of decaying leaves, is rarely addressed. Yet it is a significant source of VOCs, often overlooked, and could contribute to the training of AOS.

The objectives of the LITOSMED project are :

1. Characterize the emissions of VOCBs from urban and forest litter, while assessing their degradation via ecological indicators.
2. Study the capacity of these VOCBs to generate AOS by reacting with atmospheric oxidants.

These studies will be carried out in forest and urban environments in the Sud-PACA region, simulating different climate scenarios and taking into account the diversity of plant species. Research, conducted in collaboration with landscaping professionals, aims to improve the management of urban green spaces and air quality by taking into account the state of litter degradation.

• Thesis title: Transivir
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2022

The TRANSIVIR project focuses on the interactions between viruses and phytoplankton communities in Mediterranean ponds impacted by climate change, as well as on the microalgae used to capture industrial CO₂. This Research focuses on two major objectives.

The first is to analyze the biological and ecological role of phycocyanobilin, a synthesis pathway recently discovered in giant viruses infecting Picochlorum. This unicellular alga is responsible for the harmful green tides observed in the Etang de Thau, a key Mediterranean ecosystem.

The second objective is to develop an innovative method based on fluorescence cell sorting. This technique will make it possible to identify virus-infected microorganisms, in particular those that have hitherto only been detected by metagenomics, without identifying their specific hosts.

The expected results should lead to a better understanding of the interactions between viruses and a key algal species in ecological and socio-economic terms. In addition, this methodological breakthrough will fill a major gap in environmental virology, providing a precise inventory of host-virus relationships. This knowledge will offer a new perspective on the role of viruses in Mediterranean ecosystems in transition.

• Thesis title: Hyflex
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2022

The development of hydrogen as an alternative to hydrocarbons is part of a move to decarbonize human activities. This transition offers major advantages, such as reduced methane emissions, support for reindustrialization and greater mobilization for the climate. However, it is accompanied by environmental risks, notably hydrogen leakage, which amplifies the greenhouse effect, increases tropospheric ozone pollution and damages the ozone layer. On a socio-political level, issues such as conflicts of use, lack of transparency and financial and health risks must also be taken into account.

A multi-disciplinary research program is exploring these benefits and risks, drawing on the environmental and social sciences. The aim is to better understand the interactions between these factors, their influence on project design and their acceptability in a context of contradictory forces and changing opportunities.

• Thesis title: Projet trajectoires
• Type of project: Research
• Event: 2024

The TRAJECTOIRES project focuses on urban wastelands in the context of ecological and social transitions. It aims to understand their multifunctionality and their role in the city of tomorrow. Brownfields are often perceived as building sites, yet they present both ecological (biodiversity, limiting heat islands) and social (nature areas, ecological corridors) challenges.

As part of a reflection on land sobriety and new development policies (such as the "Zero Net Artificialization" law), this interdisciplinary project explores :

• The ecological and social roles of wasteland: biodiversity, ecosystem services, urban uses.
• Possible trajectories: rehabilitation, conservation, or mixed uses, for a livable and resilient city.

Using Marseille as an example, the program proposes an approach integrating urban planning, geography, ecology and social sciences to analyze and develop these spaces in the collective interest.