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Relevance of Seismic Risk Assessment in Abandoned Mining Districts : the Case of the Gardanne Coal Mine, Provence, France
No full textInternational audienceMining shutdowns have increased significantly in last century, but seismic risk in post mining districts and consequent damage from ground shaking is still poorly understood. Large induced seismic events with M > 5 are known from active mining districts. Their origin is widely directly linked to stress perturbations related to mining activity. In post mining districts, especially when they are flooded, the bandwidth of potential seismic source origins is comparatively large and has been observed in the context of partial underground collapses, fluid induced redistribution of the environmental stresses, and reactivation of pre existing fault structures next to the mining district. The estimation of the associated seismic hazard is quite challenging, depending on many complexly interacting factors, such as the mine geometry and geological constitution, its long term alteration behaviour (modified by the presence of fluids), meteorological impacts and climate changes, triggering from regional or global natural earthquakes, and the presence of pre existing fault structures and tectonic stresses. Such challenges are today encountered in the case of the underground flooded, abandoned coal mine at Gardanne in the Provence region (in SE France). Local microseismic monitoring highlights the presence of significant periodic seismic swarming activity, including events of magnitudes close to 2 which have been several times felt by the nearby living population. Seismic analysis demonstrates that most of the events appear to be located below the excavated, flooded mine workings and seems to be spatially and temporally correlated with the flooding evolution, controlled by meteorological conditions and active pumping operations. Results from source mechanism analysis showed that swarming activity is probably related to rupture along a network of pre existing fault structures, which are favourably oriented with respect to the local tectonic stress field. Based on these observations, we suggest that some mine workings (especially room and pillar) act as a very efficient "anthropogenic" aquifer, whose water level fluctuations trigger reactivation of these faults, e.g. via a poroelastic effect or pore pressure increase. The nature of the detailed triggering mechanism remains however speculative and is part of currently ongoing investigations. This example shows the necessity and relevance of the understanding of this mechanism in order to reason if variations of the mine water level might potentially trigger larger local tectonic events, as recorded in the past (Mw 3.6, 1984), or simply episodes of swarm activity associated to small transient creep. In the light of these developments, seismic hazard analysis in post mining risk assessment, which is non standard today, could be assessed
Echanges sur les interrogations liées à la révision 2017 : Apports du plan de conception des travaux - Difficulté d'intégrer ces outils dans une démarche itérative
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Une approche innovante en matière de réduction des risques : safe by design
No full textInternational audienceL'intégration dès la conception des produits et en tenant compte de toute la vie du produit avec une vision d’économie circulaire est une approche prometteuse pour limiter l’impact des produits et des substances en termes de risques. Par exemple pour des nanomatériaux, il est notamment possible de travailler sur la taille et la structure. Cette approche, innovante et proactive, peut concerner bien d’autres substances. A une plus grande échelle, elle constitue aussi une des briques de réflexion sur l’usine du futur
Sélection d’un site et conception d'un stockage expérimental d'énergie thermique en carrière souterraine abandonnée en Picardie (Hauts-de-France)
No full textInternational audienceLe principe du stockage d’énergie thermique est de stocker les calories disponibles et perdues en été afin de les réutiliser en hiver pour le chauffage, puis d’inverser ensuite le système afin de stocker des « frigories » qui pourront être réutilisables en été pour la climatisation. Les calories stockées proviennent généralement de la chaleur dite « fatale », produite par des processus dont ce n’est pas l’objet final : processus industriels (émission de fumées, buées de séchage, refroidissement de fours ou de réacteurs, incinération de déchets, refroidissement de panneaux solaires photovoltaïques, rejet d’effluents liquides de process ou de nettoyage…), processus agricoles (macération de biomasse, climatisation de serres…) ou processus domestiques (rejets de pompes à chaleur). Dans le cas du projet DEMOSTHENE, il s’agit de productions thermiques saisonnières renouvelables excédentaires aux fonctions de chauffage et de refroidissement d’un bâtiment collectif ou d’un processus industriel. De nombreux dispositifs de stockage souterrain d’énergie thermique existent dans de nombreux pays depuis plusieurs décennies (Sanner and Bartels 2009). Il s’agit principalement de la Pologne (Chwieduk,1997),de la Suède (Axelsson et al., 1985 ;Brunström et al., 1985 ;Martna, 1983), de la Belgique (Desmedt et al., 2006), de la Norvège (Midttomme et al., 2008 ; Nielsen, 2003), de l’Allemagne (Seibt and Kabus, 2006 ;Wille and Lottner, 2006), de la Finlande (Sipilä,1990),de la Turquie (Paksoy et al.,2000) mais également des Pays-Bas, du Canada, des États-Unis… Le projet de recherche DEMOSTHENE a pour but de dimensionner et de réaliser un « DEMOnstrateur de Stockage saisonnier d’énergie THermique en carrière souterraine partiellement ENnoyéE ». Il s’agit d’un projet subventionné par l’ex-région Picardie5, située dans le Nord de la France, pour la période 2015-2018. Il sera implanté sur un site expérimental, dans une des carrières souterraines abandonnées du territoire picard. L’originalité de ce projet est en effet,de s’intéresser aux nombreuses carrières souterraines sèches ou partiellement noyées présentes en Picardie,alors que le stockage souterrain classique d’énergie thermique s’intéresse généralement à des cavités entièrement noyées ou à des réservoirs poreux aquifères..
Source contributions to PM10 levels in a coastal area in northern France: a one year study
No full textInternational audienceThe Hauts-de-France Region is one of the most concerned areas in France by exceedances of the PM 10 daily mean limit value (50 µg.m-3). For a better understanding of these phenomena, the identification as exhaustive as possible of sources contributing to PM10 concentration is an essential step. Numerous studies were performed on the identification of particles from terrestrial sources. The objective of this work is to fill the lack of knowledge about the impact of emissions resulting from the marine compartment. It includes natural emissions such as sea salts [1] and anthropogenic emissions linked to the marine traffic especially in the English Channel, that forms a narrow corridor with one of the greatest concentrations of shipping in the world (up to 800 vessels sailing per day) [2]. PM10 sampling and measurement campaign were performed continuously during one year in 2013 at Cape Gris-Nez, a coastal French site located in front of the Straits of Dover. PM10 levels were measured using MP101 analyzer (Environment SA®) and collected using the DA80 sampler (Digitel®, 30 m 3 /h) on a daily basis. The characterization of PM10 was performed considering major and trace elements, water soluble ions, EC/OC as well as tracers of biomass burning (levoglusan), primary biogenic emissions (arabitol, mannitol) and marine biogenic emissions (methanesulfonate ions). These chemical parameters were used to explain PM10 levels on the coastal site, identify PM10 sources and estimate their contributions. Sources profiles were identified from the use of a Constrained Weighted non Negative Matrix Factorization (CW-NMF) model [3,4]: fresh sea-salts, aged sea-salts, secondary nitrates, secondary sulphates, crustal, biomass combustion, primary biogenic emission, marine traffic, combustion, metal source. The monthly evolution of their contribution evidenced different behaviours between the sources: secondary nitrates were predominant during the cold season and appeared to be the most involved in the PM10 concentration peaks. The impact of marine traffic and a high proportion of aged sea-salts versus fresh sea-salts were mainly evidenced during the summer season. For the year 2013, the mean contribution of the different sources were 37% for sea salts and aged sea-salts, 43% for the secondary inorganic aerosols, 7% for biomass combustion, 5% for marine traffic. This distribution varies highly depending on the period and more particularly during exceedances of daily PM10 limits values
Determination of a new index of sexual maturity (ISM) in zebra mussel using flow cytometry: interest in ecotoxicology
No full textInternational audienceThe global dynamic spread of chemical contamination through the aquatic environment calls for the development of biomarkers of interest. Reproduction is a key element to be considered because it is related to the sustainability of species. Spermatogenesis is a complex process that leads to the formation of mature germ cells, whose steps and impairments need to be finely described in ecotoxicological analyses. The physiological process has been commonly described by histological analyses of gonads in different taxa. In the present paper, we describe the development of a novel technique to characterize spermatogenesis based on the analysis of the DNA content of germ cells by flow cytometry, using a DNA-intercalating agent. This new biomarker, referred to as an index of sexual maturity, proved relevant to describe the seasonal reproductive cycle of the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (Pallas, 1771), used as a sentinel species in the biomonitoring of continental waters and sensitive to highlight the reprotoxicity of carbamazepine (an anti-epileptic pharmaceutical) tested under ecosystemic conditions (mesocosms)
LA DEMARCHE VIGILANCE COLLECTIVE : PRENDRE DU RECUL SUR LA COMPLEXITE DU QUOTIDIEN ET LA FIABILITE ORGANISATIONNELLE
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Application of a generic fish PBTK model for binary mixtures of chemicals
No full textInternational audienceThe integration of mechanistic approaches in Environmental risk assessment requires the integration of processes to move towards estimating internal dose from exposure or environmental concentrations (external dose) to predict toxicity in each taxa or the whole ecosystem. In this context, the overall objective of this work is to develop models to integrate TK data for environmental risk assessment of single and multiple chemicals. Three steps were defined to fulfil this objective: (i) Data collection of biological, physiological, and toxicological variables to calibrate and develop PBTK models, (ii) Development of PBTK models for environmental risk assessment of single chemicals, (iii) Development of PBTK models for environmental risk assessment of multiple chemicals. Generic PBTK models for single compounds in rainbow trout (Oncorrynchus mykiss), fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas), stickleback (Gastrosteus aculeatus) and zebrafish (Danio rerio) have been developed. Physiological description and parameters proposed by Nichols et al. [1] were updated by an extensive litterature search. New mathematical functions were proposed to integrate the main factors influencing the toxicokinetics (water temperature, growth dilution, reproduction cycle,…). Default values for compound-specific parameters were estimated by QSAR models based on hydrobycity [2, 3]. An optional interaction terms was added to the mixture PBTK models for metabolic interactions such as competitive inhibition. Two case studies were selected based on availability of toxicokinetic (TK) and toxicdynamic (TD) data for single compounds and for mixtures. In the first case study, the interaction between melamine and cyanuric acid was studied and in a second case study, the interaction between chlorpyrifos and permethrin was modelled. The models developped enable to model interactions that are observed between exposure concentrations and final effects. The QSAR estimations of certain compound-specific parameters can compensate for the lack of data in fish. Extrapolation from one species to another with the various models developed can also help bridge gaps. [1] Nichols et al. 1990. Toxicol Appl Pharmacol 106:433-447. [2] Bertelsen et al. 1998.. Environ Toxicol Chem 17:1447-1455. [3] Nichols et al. 2006. Aquat Toxicol 78:74-90
Minimising the risk posed by TiO2 nanomaterials used in sunscreen throughout the entire product lifecycle
No full textInternational audienceSunscreens are of emerging concern regarding both human and environmental health. While TiO2 nanoparticles used as UV-blockers may offer a safer alternative to organic filters, their fate and impact and resulting regulation are still under consideration, largely related to the potential risk of nanotechnology-based products. After leaving the skin either through bathing or cleaning, the TiO2 nanomaterials contained in the sunscreen can be released into rivers, lakes, sea shores, and/or sewage treatment plants. Their fate and impact in these different systems is largely determined by the surface properties, i.e. the coating type and lifetime. This project aims to develop the eco-design of sunscreens through the minimization of risks associated with nanomaterials incorporated into the formulation. All stages of the cream life cycle must be considered in this light, from its manufacture to its end of life, through its use by the consumer and its impact on the exposed environment. By considering each development stage of the sunscreen, from the choice of UV-blocker and its integration into a cosmetic formulation, to the knowledge of the risk involved in this choice all along the product lifecycle, an eco-design approach can be achieved and risk can be minimized. The present work combines industrial companies specialising in cosmetic formulation with academic research experts in the fields of exposure, toxicity and lifecycle assessment. Sunscreen fabrication, risk for the consumer by dermal exposure, risk for the direct aquatic environment and risk related to the end of life of the product are as many key steps of the sunscreen lifecycle that were investigated in this project
Interpretation of bioassay results in the context of the soil quality TRIAD approach.
No full textInternational audienceThe recently standardized method ISO 19204 “Soil quality – Procedure for site specific ecological risk assessment of soil contamination (Soil quality TRIAD approach)” describes in a general way the application of three combined lines of evidence (chemistry, ecotoxicology and ecology) along a tiered approach. Regarding the ecotoxicological component, the TRIAD approach consists in carrying out a battery of bioassays on soil samples and to scale the results from all bioassays to calculate an ecotoxicological combined risk score In order to evaluate its applicability and the relevance of the proposed tools, INERIS used the soil quality TRIAD approach on an applied case: an open mine operated for 60 years and which the activities stopped about 100 years ago (the “TRIPLE” project 2016-2017). Among the conclusions, it was noticed that the selection of the control soil may have a significant influence on the expression of the results and therefore on the risk assessment. This impact is particularly obvious for the assessment of a heterogeneous site and for the first TIER (screening level) of the TRIAD method. This statement is illustrated by observing the consequences on the assessment conclusion when the results of bioassays are expressed according different control/reference soils