Faced with the growing challenges of climate change and pressure on natural environments, understanding and sustainably managing the water cycle is more crucial than ever. CEREGE's “Water Resources and Cycle” cross-disciplinary action mobilises interdisciplinary expertise to explore the dynamics of water in all its forms: flows, storage, quality, interactions with human activities and ecosystems. Our work focuses on analysing both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of the resource, in a variety of contexts ranging from continental environments to coastal and wetland areas (lagoons, deltas, mangroves), particularly in Mediterranean and intertropical regions. They are based on the cutting-edge analytical and experimental resources developed in CEREGE's technical centres, which enable the water cycle to be explored on different time and space scales. By integrating water uses and their impacts from a systemic perspective, this area contributes to a better understanding of the interactions between climate, hydrosystems and societies, in order to anticipate and limit future pressures.
Doctoral theses
Theses in progress
- Diego Chavez: Development of a rain-flow model integrating conservative tracers to quantify hydrological flows in a Sudano-Sahelian climate
- Nathan Rispal Integrated characterisation of the karstic reservoir of the Dévoluy massif (Hautes Alpes, France) and groundwater management
- Lylas Ruttyn : Development of a method for geological and hydraulic mapping of infiltrability potential in the Aix Marseille Provence metropolitan area
- Mahamat Taher Mahamat Characterisation of aquifers in Lake Fitri (Chad): geological, hydrodynamic and geochemical approaches
- Garance Marlier: Controlling the ecological and hydromorphodynamic resilience of a coastal system using soft engineering and optimal calculation (CONIFER)
- Hugo Pellet (2025) : The dynamics of air and water flows in a coastal karstic carbonate massif and the impact on the alteration of the walls: application to the Cosquer cave and the state of conservation of its walls and its works.
- Souleyman Abba (2023): Hydrological, geochemical and isotopic functioning of volcanic lakes in Adamaoua (North Cameroon)
- Thibaut Garin (2022) : Constraining recharge, flow modalities and structures in a carbonate context: application to water resources in the Huveaune and Port-Miou karst catchments (south-east France)
- Clément Outrequin (2022) : The 17O-excess of plant silica: towards a new indicator of atmospheric humidity
- Abdallah Mahamat Nour (2019): Hydrological, chemical and isotopic functioning of the main tributary of Lake Chad: the Chari-Logone system
- Chloé Poulin (2019): Hydrological balances and study of the recharge of 3 lake-acquifer systems in the Lake Chad basin using a multi-tracer geochemical approach (18O,2H, 36Cl, 14C)
- Camille Bouchez (2016): Assessment and dynamics of river-lake(s)-aquifer interactions in the Lake Chad hydrological basin
Pierre Seraphin (2016): Contribution of isotope tracing (δ 18O and δ D) to the understanding and hydrogeological modelling of the Crau aquifer
Teaching
Educating future generations about the challenges of the water cycle, as a vital resource and an essential component of the climate and environmental system, is a central challenge for our action. CEREGE is committed to this mission by contributing to a number of degree, master's and doctoral courses in geosciences, hydrology, climate, environment and sustainable resource management. These courses are based on the most recent scientific advances, a strong link with the laboratory's research projects, and a focus on territories and societal issues.
Long-term observation activities
In a context of accelerating global change, long-term environmental observations are essential for understanding the evolution and state of water resources, hydro-ecosystems and territories. CEREGE is actively contributing to these efforts through the ongoing monitoring of key sites in conjunction with national and international observation networks. These activities provide essential data for research, teaching and prospective modelling, as well as decision support for sustainable management of water and the environment.
Within the SNO KARST, CEREGE maintains the the Port-Miou underwater spring.
Within the SNO RENOIR, CEREGE maintains continuous isotope monitoring at Le Castellet resort.
In partnership with SNO AMMA-CATCH, CEREGE maintains isotope monitoring of rainfall and the Ouémé River in Benin.