our services

HYDRO-SEDIMENTARY ASSESSMENT

Objectives

Compile and analyze all available data, including hydrodynamic, morpho-sedimentary, satellite, and regulatory data, as well as previous reports and studies. This establishes a solid knowledge base on the current state of the site.

Identify any missing data that would be required to successfully deliver your project.

Characterize the site's hydro-sedimentary dynamics.

Identify coastal hazards (erosion, marine flooding) based on current data and observed dynamics, and assess the associated risks.

Description

Our expertise in physical oceanography, geomorphology, and spatial analysis allows us to precisely characterize the initial state of a site by integrating all available data.

This approach enables us to understand the site's current dynamics and provide a solid foundation to guide planning strategies, coastal risk management (erosion, marine flooding), and adaptation to future changes.

Deliverables

State of the art and literature review summarizing current knowledge on the site's hydro-sedimentary processes and past studies.

2D deliverables: shoreline evolution maps, coastal hazard maps (erosion, marine flooding).

1D deliverables: monthly and seasonal averages of shoreline evolution and beach surface area.

Conceptual diagrams of hydro-sedimentary functioning.

References

EXP’EAU (2024) – La Grande Motte
Technical and financial feasibility study for the deployment of an underwater ecomuseum in the outer harbor of La Grande Motte: comparative assessment of identified sites, identification of socio-cultural and environmental issues, and development plans.

SURFREEF (2023) – Plan Littoral 21 (French State / Occitanie Region)
Compilation and analysis of environmental and hydro-sedimentary parameters. Identification of socio-economic and regulatory issues.

ECOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT

Objectives

Compile and analyze all available data (general environmental context, habitat distribution and mapping, species presence, ecological status of the environment, benthic and sediment studies, etc.).

Identify sensitive biocenoses and habitats.

Provide operational recommendations for ecological rehabilitation or restoration.

Description

We carry out ecological assessments using a systemic, multi-scale approach. Thanks to our expertise in marine ecology, scientific diving, and spatial analysis, we precisely characterize the initial state of marine environments, understand how they function, and guide strategies for rehabilitation or restoration of marine biodiversity.

Deliverables

State of the art and literature review.

Mapping outputs of habitats and associated biocenoses.

Detailed ecological characterization.

Recommendation sheets for ecological rehabilitation.

References

Merveille (2024) – Institut marin du SEAQUARIUM
Baseline ecological assessment of the “Plage des Merveilles” in Le Grau du Roi, as part of the educational marine area managed by the Seaquarium: inspection of present biocenoses.

EXP’EAU (2024) – La Grande Motte
Ecological characterization for the deployment of an underwater ecomuseum in the outer harbor of La Grande Motte.

SURFREEF (2023) – Plan Littoral 21 (French State / Occitanie Region)
Compilation and analysis of environmental and hydro-sedimentary parameters. Identification of socio-economic and regulatory issues.

DRONE SURVEY (TOPOGRAPHY / BATHYMETRY)

Objectives

Monitor morphological and ecological evolution (long-term, one-off, or post-event) with high precision, and carry out on-demand data acquisition and production of 2D/3D deliverables for any coastal-related use.

Description

We offer an innovative solution based on next-generation drones to carry out rapid, non-invasive surveys. This allows for high-resolution, up-to-date analysis of coastal dynamics, characterization of natural habitats, and the production of tailored geospatial deliverables.

Combined with coastal flooding/submersion modeling and analyzed by our multidisciplinary team, our studies provide a global, current, and reproducible view of the dune–beach system. This approach not only enables consistent, high-precision shoreline change monitoring, but also the assessment of impacts from extreme weather events.

Deliverables

2D/3D mapping of terrestrial and/or underwater relief, GIS-compatible (DTM/DSM/DEM, orthophotographs, 3D models, point clouds).

Diachronic morphodynamic analysis of the dune–beach system (transect differentials, DTM differentials, volumetric change analysis, etc.).

Morphological snapshot of the dune–beach system (shoreline position, beach and dune surface/volume, condition of coastal protection structures, dune vegetation).

Custom requests (versatile drone fleet available and manufacturer partnership, possible integration with our modeling and environmental diagnostic services, etc.).

References

EGAM (2025) – Agglomération du Pays de l’Or Méditerranée
Aerial and surface drone topo-bathymetric surveys to calibrate and validate a hydro-sedimentary numerical model.

SURFREEF (2024) – Plan Littoral 21 (French State / Occitanie Region)
Topographic monitoring by photogrammetry of the Zénith Beach (Palavas-les-Flots).

HYDRO-SEDIMENTARY METROLOGY

Objectives

Characterize and understand the hydro-sedimentary dynamics of a site.

Quantify the in-situ effects of coastal structures (wave dissipation, local scour near structures, etc.).

Calibrate and validate numerical models using high-precision field data.

Description

We manage the entire process from planning to analysis of hydro-sedimentary data—using high-performance equipment suited to complex environments: pressure sensors (RBR), current meters (Nortek), altimeters (Altus), multiparameter probes, and aerial or surface drones.

Our approach is flexible, ranging from one-time interventions to long-term instrumented campaigns, serving coastal engineering, shoreline management, environmental monitoring, and research projects.

Deliverables

Analytical report on hydro-sedimentary dynamics.

2D deliverables: GIS maps, bathymetric DTMs, etc.

Raw data and automated processing (Python scripts).

Simplified technical note for stakeholder consultation.

References

SURFREEF (2025) – Plan Littoral 21 (French State / Occitanie Region)
In-situ characterization of wave dissipation and hydraulic head loss induced by a nature-inspired hybrid coastal protection solution.

EGAM (2025) – Agglomération du Pays de l’Or Méditerranée
Aerial and surface drone topo-bathymetric surveys to calibrate and validate a hydro-sedimentary numerical model.

NUMERICAL HYDRO-SEDIMENTARY MODELING

Objectives

Simulate and anticipate hydro-sedimentary dynamics at various spatial (beach, municipality, coastline) and temporal (short-, medium-, and long-term) scales, under different metocean forcing conditions (return periods, climate scenarios).

Produce indicators of coastal evolution: marine flooding, shoreline change, sediment budget, etc.

Compare and optimize engineering solutions (hard structures, nature-based, hybrid, and/or bio-inspired solutions).

Support decision-making in coastal engineering and integrated shoreline management.

Description

Building on our expertise in physical oceanography, we use numerical modeling to simulate hydro-sedimentary interactions, with the goal of better understanding, anticipating, and guiding coastal planning decisions in close collaboration with the client.

We rely on a range of established coastal engineering software, including XBeach, OpenTelemac-Mascaret (Telemac2D, Tomawac), Celeris Advent, and high-resolution Flow 3D. Our approach is based on defining representative sea states through advanced statistical analyses, accurately representing all types of coastal structures, and optimizing their placement and configuration.

Deliverables

Scientific report (detailed or summary) including methodology, results, interpretation, and recommendations.

2D/3D outputs: current fields, wave height fields, shoreline evolution, and marine flooding levels.

Multi-scale sediment budget (short-, medium-, and long-term).

Conceptual diagrams illustrating the site’s hydro-sedimentary functioning.

References

EGAM (2025) – Agglomération du Pays de l’Or Méditerranée
Numerical study of the evolution of hydro-sedimentary services provided by breakwaters and groynes in the context of climate change.
Tools used: OpenTelemac-Mascaret, XBeach

SURFREEF (2024) – Plan Littoral 21 (French State / Occitanie Region)
Numerical study and optimization of the placement and efficiency of a bio-inspired coastal protection structure.
Tools used: Delft3D, OpenTelemac-Mascaret, XBeach

EMBRUNS (2023) – SNCF Réseau
Numerical modeling of an innovative "wave converter-deflector" solution designed to protect a railway line from corrosion in the Bages-Sigean lagoon.
Tools used: Celeris Advent, OpenTelemac-Mascaret

ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENTS IN MARINE AND AQUATIC ENVIRONMENTS

Objectives

Establish a baseline or monitoring ecological status of the marine and coastal environment through biological and physico-chemical quality assessments.

Quantify impacts and measure the ecological performance of projects, solutions, and implemented actions.

Identify the ecological functions of habitats, study their evolution, and assess their response to natural or anthropogenic disturbances.

Support decision-making with clear indicators and operational mapping tools.

Provide recommendations to optimize environmental management practices and the operation of marine structures.

Propose ecological rehabilitation and adaptive management solutions.

Description

Our environmental services in marine and coastal environments cover a wide range of expertise, based on rigorous and standardized protocols compliant with the requirements of the Water Framework Directive (WFD) and the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). The goal is to establish an ecological baseline, map biocenoses, assess environmental quality, and accurately monitor ecosystem evolution.

Our services also include underwater operations ranging from structure inspection through photogrammetry to the installation and retrieval of metrology equipment. These environmental assessments provide an in-depth understanding of ecological impacts, measure the effectiveness of implemented solutions, and propose tailored management and rehabilitation strategies aimed at strengthening ecosystem resilience.

Deliverables

Baseline and monitoring reports.

Management and planning documents: recommendations, structure optimization, management and monitoring guidelines.

Analysis results: data tables (CSV/Excel — raw records, metadata, diversity indices, metrics, biological indicators) and summary reports.

Maps & GIS deliverables (PDF + GeoPackage/.shp files).

Photo/video galleries: curated selection of images from each survey campaign.

References

Port of Palavas-les-Flots (2025)
Baseline ecological assessment prior to deployment: characterization of marine fauna and flora, proposal of a port redevelopment plan, and support in identifying funding opportunities.

City of Marseillan (2025)
Baseline and post-immersion monitoring of two ecological sinkers used both as informational supports for nautical marking and as substrates for local marine biodiversity colonization within the Port of Marseillan-Plage.

UVPD (IEEM-CREM)
Recovery of hydrophone receivers deployed as part of the RESMED+ project within the Cerbère-Banyuls Marine Nature Reserve.