Utilisation du rayonnement UV-C comme méthode alternative aux produits chimiques dans la lutte et le contrôle de la prolifération des micro-organismes sur les matériaux du patrimoine

The aim of this thesis is to study and analyze the effect of UV-C radiation as an alternative method tochemicals to combat phototrophic microorganisms’ proliferation in show caves. First, the effect of UV-C wasanalyzed on several cave-dwelling unicellular green algae sub-cultured in laboratory conditions. Analysis at themolecular, cellular and biofilm scale highlighted several damages (decrease of viability and photosyntheticactivity, membrane degradation, chlorophyll bleaching, DNA fragmentation, decrease of the biofilms’ colonizedarea…) both direct (photooxydation reaction) or indirect (oxidative stress). These results helped to selectefficient UV-C exposure times (traduced in UV-C doses) both to eradicate and bleach green micro-algae.Second, these efficient UV-C doses were used to test the efficiency of UV-C treatments on natural phototrophicbiofilms proliferating in the Moidons Cave (Jura, France). Previous study to the UV-C tests was performed tounderstand the dynamics and factors that promote algal proliferation in this cave. Factors measured at the biofilmscale (quantity of light, type of the physical support, localization in the cave…) and at the cavity scale(horizontal and vertical circulation of waters, air currents, illumination time and visitors’ presence time) allowedto distinguish several preferential areas where growth-supporting conditions were present for algal proliferation.Then, several biofilms were selected to test the efficiency of UV-C treatments. According to the characteristicsof the biofilms (colonization intensity) and their localization in the cave (variations of the factors promotingcolonization) UV-C efficiency varied over time. Supplementary results obtained on filamentous fungi andmineral pigments used for prehistoric paintings, emphasize the interest and the applicabilityL’objectif général de cette thèse est d’étudier et d’analyser l’effet du rayonnement UV-C comme méthodealternative aux produits chimiques dans la lutte et le contrôle de la prolifération des micro-organismesphotosynthétiques dans les grottes touristiques. Dans un premier temps, l’effet des UV-C a été analysé surdifférentes souches cavernicoles de micro-algues cultivées au laboratoire. Des analyses à l’échelle moléculaire,cellulaire et à l’échelle du biofilm d’algues ont permis de mettre en évidence un ensemble de dommages causépar l’irradiation aux UV-C (diminution de la viabilité et de l’activité photosynthétique, dégradation desmembranes, décoloration des cellules par destruction des pigments chlorophylliens, fragmentation de l’ADN,diminution de la surface d’occupation des biofilms d’algues cultivés sur support solide). Ceux-ci sont soit directs(réactions de photooxydation) soit indirects (liés à un stress oxydatif important). L’ensemble de ces résultats ontservi à la sélection de différentes durées d’exposition aux UV-C (traduites en doses d’UV-C) efficaces en termesd’éradication et de décoloration des micro-algues. Ces doses d’UV-C ont dans un deuxième temps été testées enconditions réelles sur le site d’étude de la grotte des Moidons (Jura, France). Une étude préalable à ces tests a étémenée afin de comprendre les dynamiques et les facteurs favorisant l’installation et la prolifération des biofilmsde micro-organismes photosynthétiques dans la grotte. L’étude des facteurs environnementaux mesurés àl’échelle du biofilm (quantité de lumière, type de support, localisation dans la grotte) ainsi que ceux mesurés àl’échelle de la cavité (circulation horizontale et verticale des eaux, vitesse des courants d’air, temps d’allumagedes lampes et temps de présence des visiteurs) ont permis de distinguer des zones de colonisation préférentielle.Plusieurs biofilms ont ensuite été sélectionnés pour tester l’efficacité des UV-C. Selon les caractéristiques desbiofilms (intensité de colonisation) et en fonction de leur emplacement dans la grotte (variations des facteurspréalablement déterminés), nous avons pu mettre en évidence une efficacité des UV-C variable dans le temps.Avec l’appui de résultats complémentaires obtenus sur deux souches de champignons et sur plusieurs types dematières picturales, l’ensemble des données collectées au cours de la thèse souligne l’intérêt et l’applicabilité destraitements aux UV-C dans divers contextes de conservation des matériaux du patrimoin

Sand, salt, and models : The legacy of Bruno Vendeville

Acknowledgements We are grateful for the support of numerous colleagues who contributed, either materially or simply with encouragement, to putting together this memorial to our friend Bruno. The important task of reviewing and editing manuscripts was carried out by the co-editors along with Jürgen Adam, Ian Davison, Tim Dooley, Carl Fiduk, Pablo Granado, Geoffroy Mohn, Webster Mohriak, Van Mount, Josep Anton Muñoz, Thierry Nalpas, Fabrizio Storti, Gabor Tari, Lei Wu, and 16 reviewers who chose to remain anonymous. And of course, this volume would not have happened without the hard work and persistence of the many authors and coauthors who contributed their manuscripts. We also thank Lorna Stewart and other staff at the Journal of Structural Geology for their help and guidance, as well as Tim Dooley for supplying original versions of the figures used here.Peer reviewe

Use of UV-C radiation as an alternarive method to chemicals to combat the proliferation of microorganisms on heritage materials

L’objectif général de cette thèse est d’étudier et d’analyser l’effet du rayonnement UV-C comme méthodealternative aux produits chimiques dans la lutte et le contrôle de la prolifération des micro-organismesphotosynthétiques dans les grottes touristiques. Dans un premier temps, l’effet des UV-C a été analysé surdifférentes souches cavernicoles de micro-algues cultivées au laboratoire. Des analyses à l’échelle moléculaire,cellulaire et à l’échelle du biofilm d’algues ont permis de mettre en évidence un ensemble de dommages causépar l’irradiation aux UV-C (diminution de la viabilité et de l’activité photosynthétique, dégradation desmembranes, décoloration des cellules par destruction des pigments chlorophylliens, fragmentation de l’ADN,diminution de la surface d’occupation des biofilms d’algues cultivés sur support solide). Ceux-ci sont soit directs(réactions de photooxydation) soit indirects (liés à un stress oxydatif important). L’ensemble de ces résultats ontservi à la sélection de différentes durées d’exposition aux UV-C (traduites en doses d’UV-C) efficaces en termesd’éradication et de décoloration des micro-algues. Ces doses d’UV-C ont dans un deuxième temps été testées enconditions réelles sur le site d’étude de la grotte des Moidons (Jura, France). Une étude préalable à ces tests a étémenée afin de comprendre les dynamiques et les facteurs favorisant l’installation et la prolifération des biofilmsde micro-organismes photosynthétiques dans la grotte. L’étude des facteurs environnementaux mesurés àl’échelle du biofilm (quantité de lumière, type de support, localisation dans la grotte) ainsi que ceux mesurés àl’échelle de la cavité (circulation horizontale et verticale des eaux, vitesse des courants d’air, temps d’allumagedes lampes et temps de présence des visiteurs) ont permis de distinguer des zones de colonisation préférentielle.Plusieurs biofilms ont ensuite été sélectionnés pour tester l’efficacité des UV-C. Selon les caractéristiques desbiofilms (intensité de colonisation) et en fonction de leur emplacement dans la grotte (variations des facteurspréalablement déterminés), nous avons pu mettre en évidence une efficacité des UV-C variable dans le temps.Avec l’appui de résultats complémentaires obtenus sur deux souches de champignons et sur plusieurs types dematières picturales, l’ensemble des données collectées au cours de la thèse souligne l’intérêt et l’applicabilité destraitements aux UV-C dans divers contextes de conservation des matériaux du patrimoineThe aim of this thesis is to study and analyze the effect of UV-C radiation as an alternative method tochemicals to combat phototrophic microorganisms’ proliferation in show caves. First, the effect of UV-C wasanalyzed on several cave-dwelling unicellular green algae sub-cultured in laboratory conditions. Analysis at themolecular, cellular and biofilm scale highlighted several damages (decrease of viability and photosyntheticactivity, membrane degradation, chlorophyll bleaching, DNA fragmentation, decrease of the biofilms’ colonizedarea…) both direct (photooxydation reaction) or indirect (oxidative stress). These results helped to selectefficient UV-C exposure times (traduced in UV-C doses) both to eradicate and bleach green micro-algae.Second, these efficient UV-C doses were used to test the efficiency of UV-C treatments on natural phototrophicbiofilms proliferating in the Moidons Cave (Jura, France). Previous study to the UV-C tests was performed tounderstand the dynamics and factors that promote algal proliferation in this cave. Factors measured at the biofilmscale (quantity of light, type of the physical support, localization in the cave…) and at the cavity scale(horizontal and vertical circulation of waters, air currents, illumination time and visitors’ presence time) allowedto distinguish several preferential areas where growth-supporting conditions were present for algal proliferation.Then, several biofilms were selected to test the efficiency of UV-C treatments. According to the characteristicsof the biofilms (colonization intensity) and their localization in the cave (variations of the factors promotingcolonization) UV-C efficiency varied over time. Supplementary results obtained on filamentous fungi andmineral pigments used for prehistoric paintings, emphasize the interest and the applicabilit

Analogue modelling of structural and kinematic couplings in fold-and-thrust belts controlled by lateral changes in interbedded décollement rheology

International audienc

Successional trajectories of cyanobacterial communities following glacier retreat in Svalbard (High Arctic)

The effects of global warming are pronounced at high northern latitudes, where the warming trend observed for the past decades is almost twice as the global average. Most glaciers in Svalbard (High Arctic) have been retreating and thinning since the end of the Little Ice Age in the late 19th century, and retreat rates have increased substantially in the last decades. As a glacier retreats, it systematically exposes new terrestrial habitats for the colonization by pioneering (micro)organisms. Distance from the glacier terminus can be used as a proxy for time since deglaciation, which makes glacier forefields well suited for the study of primary succession. In the present study, we investigated the successional trajectories of cyanobacterial communities along a 100-year deglaciation gradient in the forefield of two Svalbard glaciers (Ebba- and Hørbyebreen). Cyanobacterial abundance was assessed by epifluorescence microscopy and cyanobacterial diversity was investigated by pyrosequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Filamentous cyanobacteria were more abundant than unicellular and heterocystous cyanobacteria in both forefields, and an increase in the abundance of cyanobacteria was observed along the deglaciation gradients. Pseudanabaenales was the most OTU-rich order, followed by Chroococcales, Oscillatoriales, Synechococcales, Nostocales and Gloeobacterales. At the genus level, classified phylotypes were assigned to Leptolyngbya, Phormidium, Nostoc, Pseudanabaena, Chroococcidiopsis and Microcoleus. Interestingly, OTU richness increased along the deglaciation gradient in Ebbabreen, but an inverse correlation was observed in Hørbyebreen. Beta diversity estimations indicated contrasting cyanobacterial phylogenetic structures along the temporal gradient, with a clear separation of initial (10-20 years), intermediate (30-50) and advanced (80-100) communities. Time since deglaciation accounted for around 25% of the phylogenetic variability in both forefields, with organic carbon content also explaining a significant proportion of community turnover along the deglaciation gradients. Taxonomic composition was somewhat constant along the deglaciation gradient, but OTUs associated with initial communities were related to sequences predominantely restricted to polar biotopes, while advanced communities included phylotypes related to cosmopolitan taxa

Microbial composition and ecological features of phototrophic biofilms proliferating in the Moidons Caves (France): investigation at the single-cell level

International audienceThe authors investigated the microbial composition of phototrophic biofilms proliferating in a show cave using flow cytometry for the first time in such a context. Results are based on several biofilms sampled in the Moidons Caves (France) and concern both heterotrophic prokaryotes and autotrophic microorganisms. Heterotrophic microorganisms with low nucleic acid content were dominant in biofilms, as can be expected from the oligotrophic conditions prevailing within the cave. Analysis of the biofilm autotrophic components revealed the presence of several taxa, particularly the unicellular green algae Chlorella minutissima, specifically well adapted to this cave. Relationships between flow cytometry results and environmental variables determined in the cave were established and discussed so as to better understand biofilm proliferation processes in caves

Analogue modelling of the mechanical and kinematic coupling in fold-and-thrust belts controlled by lateral changes in basal décollement strength

International audienc

Marked Succession of Cyanobacterial Communities Following Glacier Retreat in the High Arctic

International audienceCyanobacteria are important colonizers of recently deglaciated proglacial soil but an in-depth investigation of cyanobacterial succession following glacier retreat has not yet been carried out. Here, we report on the successional trajectories of cyanobacterial communities in biological soil crusts (BSCs) along a 100-year deglaciation gradient in three glacier forefields in central Svalbard, High Arctic. Distance from the glacier terminus was used as a proxy for soil age (years since deglaciation), and cyanobacterial abundance and community composition were evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy and pyrosequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences, respectively. Succession was characterized by a decrease in phylotype richness and a marked shift in community structure, resulting in a clear separation between early (10-20years since deglaciation), mid (30-50years), and late (80-100years) communities. Changes in cyanobacterial community structure were mainly connectedwith soil age and associated shifts in soil chemical composition (mainly moisture, SOC, SMN, K, and Na concentrations). Phylotypes associated with early communities were related either to potentially novel lineages (<97.5% similar to sequences currently available in GenBank) or lineages predominantly restricted to polar and alpine biotopes, suggesting that the initial colonization of proglacial soil is accomplished by cyanobacteria transported from nearby glacial environments. Late communities, on the other hand, included more widely distributed genotypes, which appear to establish only after the microenvironment has been modified by the pioneering taxa

Cellular and molecular damage caused by high UV-C irradiation of the cave-harvested green alga Chlorella minutissima: Implications for cave management

International audienceAlgal biofilms in caves visited by tourists are a significant threat to karstic formations. They cause a dirty greenish appearance on cave formations and provoke biophysical and biochemical erosion. Seeking an alternative to the use of chemicals, we investigated the effects of high doses of UV-C irradiation on the green algae Chlorella minutissima-dominating biofilms in the Moidons Cave (Jura, France). The algae were harvested and subjected to laboratory subculturing under conditions similar to the conditions in the cave (low temperatures and a short photoperiod with weak light intensities). After one or two doses of UV-C of 150 or 300 kJ m−2, the samples were incubated for 21 days, and the physiological parameters (pigment concentrations and photosynthetic activity) were monitored every seven days. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were also measured to detect oxidative stress, and analyses of DNA integrity were performed. The results showed that all UV-C treatments caused chlorophyll bleaching with completely inhibited metabolic activity. In addition, high UV-C doses caused oxidative stress and programmed cell death. Irradiation was tested on a natural biofilm that proliferated in the Moidons Cave. Colorimetric measurements of the treated biofilm indicated that UV-C treatment caused significant chlorophyll bleaching

Successional Dynamics of Cyanobacterial Communities Following the Retreat of Two Glaciers in Petunia Bay (Svalbard)

Most glaciers in Svalbard (High Arctic) have been retreating and thinning since the end of the Little Ice Age in the late 19th century. As a glacier retreats, it exposes new terrestrial habitats for the colonization by pioneering (micro)organisms. Here we report on the successional trajectories of cyanobacterial communities along a 100-year deglaciation gradient in the Ebba- and Hørbyebreen glacier forefields (Petunia Bay, central Svalbard). Cyanobacterial biomass and community composition were evaluated by epifluorescence microscopy and pyrosequencing of partial 16S rRNA gene sequences. Pseudanabaenales was the most abundant order in both forefields, followed by Chroococcales, Oscillatoriales, Synechococcales, Nostocales and Gloeobacterales. Succession was characterized by a decrease in phylotype richness and a marked turnover in community structure, resulting in a separation between initial (10–20 years since deglaciation), intermediate (30–50 years), and advanced (80–100 years) communities. Community turnover was explained by a combination of temporal and environmental factors, which accounted together for 46.9% of the variation in community structure. Interestingly, phylotypes associated with initial communities were related to potentially novel taxa (i.e. <97.5% similar to sequences currently available on GenBank) and sequences predominantly restricted to polar biotopes, suggesting that the initial colonization is performed by cyanobacteria from glacial and periglacial habitats. Advanced communities, on the other hand, included genotypes with a wider geographic distribution, which are likely able to establish only after the microenvironment has been modified by pioneering taxa.Cyanobacterial communities in retreating glacier forefronts in Polar Region