subject 3 : Emergent contaminants in the aquatic environments and the health

In this theme our research focuses on the study of microorganisms in the context of human and environmental health. On one hand we study microorganisms as contaminants, focusing on the ecology of pathogenic microorganisms in aquatic environments, and on the other hand we study microorganisms that degrade contaminants, focusing on the microbial communities degrading persistant organic pollutants.
Coastal rivers and coastal marine zones are subject to increasing human pressure correlated with the increase in the density of human populations. In Europe, the Mediterranean Sea is especially exposed to the consequences of this pressure. The intensification of anthropogenic water discharges expected in the next 10 years associated with climate change will surely contribute to changes in environmental parameters characterizing these continental and coastal waters. Microorganisms are especially impacted by environmental changes because of their short generation times resulting in rapid changes in community structure and function.