CarboNium

FairCarboN’s target project CarboNium will look at carbon dynamics along the terrestrial-aquatic continuum. Specifically, it will improve the infrastructure used to study carbon cycles at multiple interfaces: between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems (surface waters, wetlands), between continental surfaces and oceans (coastal ecosystems, estuaries), and along river systems. To comprehensively characterise carbon balances and limit greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from land surfaces, we must improve our ability to quantify carbon fluxes and dynamics in aquatic ecosystems. The project has the following objectives: (1) work with French observatory sites to synthesise data on carbon fluxes and stocks along the terrestrial–aquatic continuum; (2) increase and enhance the data on carbon fluxes (including high-frequency measurements) and carbon stocks currently collected by French observatory sites; (3) standardise the protocols used by French researchers to study the carbon cycle along the terrestrial–aquatic continuum; and (4) create an open-access platform for modelling the carbon cycle along the terrestrial–aquatic continuum.

CarboNium will help support research infrastructures and strengthen relationships with related national programmes (TERRA FORMA). It has three main objectives: data synthesis, increasing quantities of observational data, and continuum modelling.  CarboNium is divided into eight work packages (WPs). Two comprise transversal tasks for synthesising data on carbon fluxes and stocks. Five will focus on improving measurement capacities and collecting new data on carbon dynamics in several environments (i.e., watersheds, continental and coastal wetlands, lakes, and estuaries). The final WP will model dynamics along the terrestrial–aquatic continuum.

The project will provide researchers studying aquatic carbon cycles with a better understanding of carbon dynamics, fluxes, and stocks in surface waters, subterranean waters, inland wetlands, coastal wetlands, and estuaries. CarboNium will create a collaborative framework in which French researchers studying aquatic carbon cycles will be able to tackle issues related to measurement strategies, methodologies, and models. Using this organisational structure, the project will heighten the international visibility of French researchers and create opportunities to participate in international monitoring networks centred on aquatic carbon dynamics.

CarboNium will unite more than 40 scientists from 15 laboratories affiliated with CNRS and INRAE research infrastructures (e.g., AnaEE, OZCAR, RZA, REGEF, ILICO).

Project coordinators: Laure Gandois (CNRS, LEFE) and Julien Némery (UGA/Grenoble INP - IGE)

Partner institutions: French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS), French National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food, and Environment (INRAE), University of Grenobles Alpes (UGA), University of La Rochelle (ULR), Nantes University (Nantes U), University of New Caledonia (UNC), University of Rennes (UNIVREN), Mines Paris - PLS, Paris Institute of Planetary Physics (IPGP), University of Perpignan (UPVD), University of Franche Comté (UFC), University of Orléans (UO), Paris Cité University (UParisCité), University of Savoie Mont Blanc (USMB), French National Research Institute for Sustainable Development (IRD).