Experimentation tunnel
The experimentation tunnel is used to study the effects of the exposure of aquatic organisms to different types of oil or chemicals while controlling the environmental parameters.
A 160 m² facility for controlled exposure
This 160 m² tunnel, in which temperature can be regulated, is home to two independent experimental systems which are continually supplied with seawater or freshwater and fitted with an effluent treatment system. The first is designed for the acclimatisation of aquatic organisms, while the second is for exposing the organisms to the studied products.
Different species (fish, crustaceans, etc.) can be exposed to different types of molecules according to specific protocols, often defined in collaboration with academic partners.
To characterise the potential impact of a product on aquatic organisms
The aim: to characterise the reactivity of a product in relation to the aqueous environment and its potential impact on organisms.
Physiological studies have been carried out in collaboration with the University of Western Brittany. They aimed at determining the impact of the dissolved fraction of a heavy fuel oil, similar to that of the Erika, on turbot.
When the Ievoli Sun accident occurred in 2000, this facility was used to quickly characterise the bioaccumulation and decontamination kinetics for styrene by different marine species (crabs, oysters and mussels).