Environmental analysis

AEL / LEA is a specialized laboratory, recognized for the measurement of trace metallic elements in waters and atmospheric dusts. However, it also excels in the analysis of trace nutrients, especially in seawater. Our analytical skills, tested annually via inter-calibration exercises with institutional and private laboratories, place the laboratory among the best. Our analytical capabilities allows us to analyze a number of different sample types including sea water, fresh water, sediments, soils, living organisms and the atmosphere for mineral (metals, AOx, ..) and organic compounds (PAHs, PCBs, …).

Environmental studies

Over the years, AEL / LEA has developed an extensive knowledge of the geochemical behavior of pollutants / contaminants and sedimentation processes. Thus, in terms of environmental monitoring, the laboratory is able to:

• monitor dissolved and particulate matter fluxes in the marine environment resulting from natural and / or industrial sources;
• monitor sediment accumulation rates and the geochemical quality of deposits;
• monitor water quality using passive samplers (DGT, DET, …) or transplanted sentinel species (active bio-monitoring);
• perform ingested dose calculations for the assessment of health risk due to bioaccumulation of pollutants in edible species;
• monitor metallic pollutants in atmospheric deposits via rainwater and / or dust.

Hydrodynamic and atmospheric modeling

Given the primary use of modeling is to support decision-making, AEL / LEA has strengthened its knowledge in this area in order to perform invaluable predictive calculations and provide concrete answers to water management concerns. AEL/LEA services include:

• 3D hydrodynamic modeling of marine currents;
• the simulation of the dissolved matter plume dispersion;
• the simulation of particulate transport and determination of sediment deposit areas;
• the simulation of the transport and decay of bacterial germ populations.

To support the modeling, AEL / LEA can:

• perform current measurement and determine a range of physicochemical parameters in water bodies;
• highlight water mass dynamics using dye tracer and in-situ fluorimetric detection (eg: Rhodamine WT).

AEL / LEA, in collaboration with the CEA, also offers 3D atmospheric modeling for the simulation of plume dispersion.

Characterization of waste

AEL/LEA performs routine tests for New Caledonia’s mining industry. Using internationally recognized standardized (ISO) procedures AEL/LEA performs static and dynamic leaching tests on mining waste (sludge, slag, tailings). In addition, AEL/LEA can carry out flume studies coupled with an in-house rainfall simulator.

AEL/LEA applies these tests for the classification of dredged sludge as part of their discharge into the environment or their storage on land.

Acoustic seabed classification

AEL / LEA is able to explore and classify seabeds and marine habitats using an acoustic technique. This technique makes it possible to cover and map large areas in a minimum of time prior to biological and geochemical studies.