Research Topics
We consider microbes as 'microscopic' organisms. That is, any member of a group of organisms which in general is characterized as being small in size, usually smaller than 200 microns. Thus, microbes can be either eukaryotic or prokaryotic. Our
research topics can be divided into 3 major, but closely
related areas of planktonic marine microbial ecology: a. factors regulating microbial
populations, b. diversity and biogeography of microbes, c. microbes in biogeochemical
processes.
Factors regulating microbial populations
Microbial populations, like all other
populations, are regulated by factors which
influence birth rates and those which influence death rates. In recent years, most
attention has been focused on microbial production, or birth
rate, factors. We have been concerned with the examining
factors influencing microbial death rates- selective predation, viral attack,
or variability in essential resources. Are differential death rates as important as differential production rates?
Diversity and biogeography of microbes
Microbial biodiversity is a relatively new field. Basic questions
are those such as: Are microbes (including viruses) everywhere or
are some restricted to certain areas? Does a species-rich
community function differently from a microbial community
with a few species? Is there such a thing as 'microbial
biogeography'? Is climate change influencing microbial (for example phytoplankton) communities? Are toxic tropical dinoflagellates such as Ostreopsis spreading?
Microbes in biogeochemical processes
We know that microbes are important in
most biogeochemical processes. Questions which particularly interest members
of our research group concern the role of microbes in the formation
and degradation of particulate and dissolved organic matter,
and the effects of atmospheric inputs such as dessert dust
on marine microbes. How do such atmospheric imports alter
the processes mediated by microbes such as primary production
or does it alter the bacteria? Do changing levels of
CO2 in the atmosphere, or changes in the pH of the sea, influence marine microbes?
Tools & Sites
Our research facilities
include a recently-equipped molecular lab, quantitative PCR, a flow cytometer,
several microscopes, a turbulence generator appartus, and
a TOC analyser. However, most
of our research is conducted through field studies. While we
regularly exploit the special characteristics of the Rade de
Villefranche, and the North West Mediterrean Sea, our study sites
have ranged from the Arctic to the Antarctic Seas For example,
through French Programs and international collaboration, in 2005
study sites include Antarctica, Hong Kong, the South-West Equatorial
Pacific, New Caledonia, Czech Republique, Spain, Italy and the
regions of Montpellier and Clermont Ferrand. We receive
financial support from
the CNRS, ANR, as well as from the European Community and local governments.
Web Sites of Current Research Projects & Programs
Carboocean Integrated Project CARBOOCEAN
Marine Biodiversity and Ecosystem Functioning MARBEF
European Integration of Marine Microplankton Research MARPLAN
European Project on Ocean Acidification EPOCA
Aquatic Protist Biodiversity: the Paradox AQUAPARADOX -> Aquaparadox Image Gallery
Relationships between Viral and Prokaryotic Diversity in Contrasting Aquatic Systems AQUAPHAGE
Méditerranée-Ostreopsis MEDIOS 2
Marine Organic Aggregates as a Regulatory Factor of Bacterial Diversity and Ecosystem Export Capacity MAORY
Biogeochemistry from the Oligotrophic to Ultra-oligotrophic Mediterranean BOUM
Biodiversity of Marine Eukaryotes BioMarK
Tara Oceans |
