Experimentation site in the natural environment
Cedre
has established an in situ medium and long term experimental
concept designed to assess the persistence and impact
of petroleum products on rocky substrates according to
certain environmental parameters.
Characteristics
Two experimental sites have been defined. They are located
on the two opposite sites of a quay on an island.
These two sides, one facing north (10°) and the other
south (190°), are dedicated to the study of the influence
of exposure to waves and UV rays.
Furthermore, the island is also characterised by the presence
of a rock field north of the site and a fine sediment
beach to the south, offering the possibility of sediment
and substrate studies.
Attaching granite slates
Experimentation site
This site has been used since 1991 for efficiency tests on anti-adherent agents and bioremediation studies on contaminated sediments. It is currently used in order to assess the persistence of petroleum products on rocky substrates.
In 1997, an experimental system was designed in a bid to obtain experimental data which could be used to help in the creation of contingency plans for high risk areas.
Granite slates (15 x 15 x 2 cm) were coated with oil in the laboratory. Before testing began, a weathering stage took place to prevent the possibility of any significant release of oil into the environment. The slates were attached to each side of the quay. Samples were periodically taken then sent to the laboratory for gravimetric and chemical analysis of the remaining pollutant. In parallel, the living species which appeared on the slates (mainly barnacles) were systematically counted to assess the recolonisation kinetics of oiled rocky substrates.