Biography
Maxime Savatier is a PhD researcher in the iCrag Biochemistry Research Group. Maxime graduated with an MSc in Hydrogeology (Lasalle Beauvais, France) and an MSc in Environmental Water Management (Cranfield University, UK). Maxime worked in contaminated site management consultancy, before joining iCRAG in 2016 under the supervision of Prof. Carlos Rocha. His research investigates the effect of groundwater/surface interactions on the biochemistry of coastal areas hosting aquaculture activities. Fieldwork will be carried on different geological settings in Ireland, including Kinvarra Bay. Research interests includes identifying water pathways in groundwater and surface waters, nutrient and contamination management, marine biochemistry and geochemistry.
Groundwater, and its interaction with the ocean (e.g. by sea water recirculation) has been recently shown as representing three to four times the input of freshwater from rivers to the global ocean. The exact effect of what is now referred to as Submarine Groundwater Discharge on ecosystems and human activities (e.g. aquaculture, fisheries or tourism) is still poorly known. This research will test reliable techniques to estimate the impact of Submarine Groundwater Discharge on the Irish coast, and suggest appropriate methods to consider its effect in the coastal environment.
Project title: Effects of Groundwater-Surface water Interactions (GSI) on the biogeochemistry of coastal areas hosting aquaculture activities
Technical description
Submarine Groundwater Discharge is one of the main sources of water and material pathway to the ocean, and a major nutrient source for coastal areas. My project will aim to estimate the influence of Submarine Groundwater Discharge on coastal areas, and its effect on the nutrient balance, in different geological settings in Ireland, including Kinvara bay (Co. Galway) and three others sites on the west coast of Ireland. Robust water budget and nutrient balance in the different sites of study will be built by using Radon, Radium balance and stable isotopes, and the economic impact of SGD will be estimated from these results. This research output and the associated projects should help to provide a better guidance for policy makers and stakeholder involved with water management, ecosystem and aquaculture in coastal areas with likely groundwater inputs or seawater recirculation.
Role
- Postgraduate Researcher
Institution
- TCD
Research Area
- Earth System Change
Expertise
- Connected Waters
