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You and Colomban de Vargas, research director at the National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), met at the Parc Monceau in Paris during the pandemic where he presented you his thoughts on a continuous, global measurement of the ocean microbiome. What was your reaction to his idea?
“It only took me a few moments to grasp the benefits of such a project, both for scientists and sailors. Observing the sea from a biological, and not only physical perspective contributes to developing our understanding of this environment. Having moved into academia, I wanted to encourage the French Navy to observe this living world. There is a real desire among crews to better understand the environment in which they navigate. The great scientific expeditions of the 18th century, which so enriched our understanding of the world, were made possible thanks to the Navy’s vessels. The Bougainville mission is in keeping with this tradition and today embodies one of the most emblematic examples of synergy between research, the transfer of knowledge and the maritime economy. It would simply not be possible without sponsors such as Naval Group”.
What are the aims of the mission?
“The main objective is to collect samples of invisible living organisms over several years, in order to create a unique data set, the only one of its kind in the world. We often talk about the effects of climate change, acidification and ocean warming, but it is also important to think about the impact they have on the microbiome and therefore on the entire food chain. Is it diversifying, becoming scarcer or migrating? We hope to compare these readings with the satellite observations of our American partner, the University of Maine, especially around the islands. This is why we deployed volunteer midshipmen (volontaires officiers aspirants, or VOA) to take samples around the French archipelagos of the Indian, Southern and Pacific Oceans. The Bougainville mission will stand out in terms of its temporal and geographical magnitude”.
What are the prospects for the period 2026-2029?
“While it’s still too early to provide a detailed framework, a PhD thesis is already underway to exploit the data collected. We expect to obtain initial genetic results during this period, which will enable us to assess whether the microbiome is comparable between the southwest Indian Ocean and the central Pacific Ocean, for example. Does it vary according to the season, time of day, or from year to year? Technology permitting, we could also consider extending the study to microplastics. Finally, six new VOAs will be deployed at the beginning of the next academic year for a second phase of study to continue taking samples alongside the French Navy”.
