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Application of membrane processes to marine environments/aquaculture
(with Clémence Cordier)

This research theme aims to develop, optimize and extend the use of membrane processes for water treatment in connection with aquaculture facilities, but also for other applications (concentration/isolation) linked to specific fields (algae production), with a view to improving performance, environmental impact and/or scaling up.
The aquaculture sector, and in particular shellfish production, is a strong economic sector, but one which is faced with the problems of deteriorating coastal/surface water quality (organic micropollutants, emerging pollutants, pathogenic microorganisms, etc.), stricter regulations and difficulties in scaling up. At the same time, there are countless opportunities for integrating membrane processes into the range of activities linked to the marine environment, whether for water or effluent treatment, for discharge into the natural environment or reuse, or for the concentration/isolation of compounds of interest. 

The advantages of these processes (quality of water produced, robustness, ease of scale-up) are numerous, justifying the expansion potential of membranes in this field, as are the scientific challenges. 
Indeed, for each application, the choice of process, pre-treatment/post-treatment and filtration conditions must be determined taking into account a matrix that is sometimes complex and always generates fouling (algal suspensions, effluents) or seawater of variable quality. The characterization of fouling is therefore a key point in terms of composition and resistance, in order to control it or adapt cleaning operations. At the same time, a multi-disciplinary approach is essential to assess the performance of the process deployed:
- Identify and use suitable analytical methods and tools to characterize the flows obtained and quantify the compounds of interest, taking into account the complexity of the matrices studied;
- Set up methods for validating and characterizing water quality using in vivo/in vitro tests, in comparison with commonly deployed processes (notably filtration, UV disinfection or chlorination);
- Characterize and monitor biological models of interest.

Finally, links with industry are at the heart of most studies, with large-scale projects and numerous collaborations.