The Arcachon Bay is one of Europe’s most important oyster production zone. However, the Arcachon Bay suffers from constantly growing pollution of its waters since some years (in particular Cu and As pollution as well as abnormal proliferation of green algae). This first SCHeMA short-term field campaign, took place from April 19th to April 24th and allow the evaluation of one sensor developed during the first year of the project, namely: the gold nanoparticle based GIME sensor (AuNP-GIME) for direct detection of As(III).
This sampling campaign took place on-board the R/V Planula IV. SCHeMA partners from UNIGE responsible for the analytical development of the sensors were present as well as UBx partners responsible for field application. The crucial point of the field campaign consisted in a 36 hours cycle sampling and analysis. During this cycle, in situ measurements of As(III) species (most toxic arsenic species) and dynamic fractions (i.e. fraction potentially bio-available) of Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn were performed at high resolution (1h or half hour time intervals) using respectively the newly developed AuNP-GIME and the previously developed GIME sensor and VIP probe. Master variables (T, dissolved oxygen, pH, conductivity, salinity, turbidity, chlorophyll-a, and phycocyanin) were also measured simultaneously using an OS316 Idronaut submersible probe.