Because of the large diversity of case 2 waters ranging from extremely absorbing to extremely scattering waters and the complexity of light transfer due to external terrestrial inputs, retrieving main biogeochemical parameters such as chlorophyll-a or suspended particulate matter concentration in these waters is still challenging. By providing optical and biogeochemical parameters for 180 sampling stations with turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration ranging from 1 to 700 FNU and from 0.9 to 180 mg m−3 respectively, the HYPERMAQ dataset will contribute to a better description of marine optics in optically complex water bodies and can help the scientific community to develop algorithms. The HYPERMAQ dataset provides biogeochemical parameters (i.e. turbidity, pigment and chlorophyll-a concentration, suspended particulate matter), apparent optical properties (i.e. water reflectance from above water measurements) and inherent optical properties (i.e. absorption and attenuation coefficients) from six different study areas. These study areas include large estuaries (i.e. the Rio de la Plata in Argentina, the Yangtze estuary in China, and the Gironde estuary in France), inland (i.e. the Spuikom in Belgium and Chascomùs lake in Argentina), and coastal waters (Belgium). The dataset is available from Lavigne et al. (2022) at https://doi.org/10.1594/PANGAEA.944313.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2022
The development of offshore wind farms (OWFs) in the North Sea is a crucial component for the transition to renewable energy. However, local hydrodynamics in the vicinity of OWF turbine foundations may be affected due to their interaction with tidal currents. This study investigates the impact of offshore wind turbine foundations on local hydrodynamics and stratification in the southern North Sea. We conducted a series of measurements around a single monopile in the Belgian part of the North Sea, focusing on hydrodynamics, salinity and temperature both near the surface and over the water column, and turbulent kinetic energy (TKE). Our results indicate that the foundation-induced wake significantly affects local hydrodynamics, leading to a well-defined band of colder, more saline water at the surface and warmer, less saline water near the seabed. This is quantified through the Potential Energy Anomaly (PEA), which shows a marked decrease in the wake-affected area. The wake is spatially confined, with a width of approximately 70 meters and a length of less than 400 meters downstream of the monopile. Additionally, our measurements reveal an increase in TKE within the wake, indicating enhanced turbulent mixing. This mixing reduces vertical gradients in salinity and temperature, leading to a more homogeneous water column. The findings highlight the importance of considering monopile-induced mixing in large-scale hydrodynamic and ecosystem models, as these effects can influence nutrient transport, primary production, and overall ecosystem dynamics. Furthermore, our research provides valuable data for validating and improving the models used to predict the ecological impact of OWFs.
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RBINS Staff Publications 2025
In Northwestern Europe, the Dinantian limestone formation, could be a promising geothermal reservoir from 1 kilometer deep for heat production in densely populated regions. In the 1970s and 1980s, scientific drilling in Belgium encountered hot water at high flow rates in this layer, turning these wells into productive geothermal sources for district heating (e.g., Saint-Ghislain, Douvrain, and Ghlin). However, similar wells in France (Jeumont and Condé-sur-l'Escaut) were not productive enough for economic viability due to the heterogeneous nature of the Dinantian reservoir, influenced by the region’s complex geological history.To enhance understanding of this formation, an interdisciplinary study was conducted under the INTERREG NWE DGE-Rollout project. This study involved creating a cross-border map of the Dinantian structure and building a lithological chart to represent variations across the region, including Belgium, France, Germany, and the Netherlands. The formation is mainly composed of carbonate rocks but also contains significant heterogeneities, such as sedimentary breccias within the middle Visean (Livian), identified as a geothermal reservoir in Belgium's Mons region.Seismic surveys and petrophysical analyses were conducted across Belgium, France, and Germany. Results showed five main facies in the Dinantian: limestone, dolomite, anhydrite, sandstone, and clay. The Epinoy 1 well, for instance, revealed low porosity in dolomitic facies, while Jeumont 1 showed higher porosity levels in dolomitic intervals. Seismic data reprocessing further identified key geothermal targets, with dolomitic zones offering better reservoir properties in the north and east.Temperature data from wells in the region are scarce, though the Epinoy 1 well shows a normal geothermal gradient of 30°C/km. Favorable areas for geothermal development were identified based on energy demand and geothermal resource availability. The largest zone is located between Douai and Valenciennes, with significant heat demand and an existing district heating network. Another zone, around Maubeuge, also holds potential despite deeper Dinantian depths.
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