Monitoring of phytoplankton and Harmful Algal Blooms in coastal waters by combining innovative semi-automated tools (scanning flow cytometry & spectral fluorometry)

National audienceIn order to address phytoplankton dynamics in aquatic systems and to detect short term changes in phytoplankton composition, there is a need for innovative and reproducible monitoring procedures that could be applied at high frequency. Indeed, current methodologies and monitoring practices are not equipped to deal with fast changes in phytoplankton composition, which can reflect changes in the environmental status of aquatic systems and/or the occurrence of harmful events (Harmful Algal Blooms-HAB). Amongst recent research,the DYMAPHY project (Development of a DYnamic observation system for the assessment of MArine water quality, based on PHYtoplankton analysis, 2010-2014, www.dymaphy.eu), co-funded by the European Regional Development Funds (ERDF), aimed at contributing to a better assessment of the quality of marine waters in the Eastern English Channel and Southern North Sea (INTERREG IV A “2 Seas”) through the study of phytoplankton and related environmental parameters, at high spatial and temporal resolution. By combining innovativetechniques as pulse-shape recording scanning flow cytometry (CytoSense, Cytobuoy©) and spectral fluorescence (Fluoroprobe and AOA bbe©), compared to reference techniques, the DYMAPHY project proposed within a cross-border (France, England and Netherlands) effective work, better-standardized procedures and greater automation in data analysis for monitoring phytoplankton. This approach was tested in common inter comparison/calibration exercises, as well as in common international cruises in different coastal ecosystems of the “2 Seas” area. A discussion is carried out on the limits of integration of these methodologies inroutine monitoring systems