For this purpose, research on dynamic processes related to physical and colloid chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics is performed both in laboratory and in situ . Furthermore new instrumental analytical methods are being developed to monitor the corresponding key environmental parameters. The above figure depicts schematically as exemple, the role of colloids and biopolymers in lakes and ocean. For instance, they strongly influence the sedimentation rate of detrimental and vital trace compounds and ultimately have an impact on biological productivity and biodiversity at the macroscopic level.
Similar processes occur in water treatment plants.
In soils and sediments, aggregation processes coupled to chemical reactivity of colloids and biopolymers, and microbial activity will affect the transport of nutrients and trace compounds. All these processes are major focii of CABE's activity. Mini or microsensors are being developed for the direct measurement of the active species of trace compounds in situ , with no or minimum sample handling. 1D or 2D microsensor arrays, enabling to determine microgradients and fluxes linked to environmental microheterogeneity. These sensors are useful not only for environmental purposes, but also for biomedical or industrial applications.