In order to determine whether the Geneva area and the cross-border region have a potential for geothermal energy development, SIG and the State of Geneva are carrying out a seismic prospecting project to map the subsoil. The geophysical surveys are carried out on land and in the lake (Small lake).
The lake surveys are carried out using acoustic cannons, which emit sound waves from the surface towards the bottom of the lake. As aquatic organisms, and in particular fish, are sensitive to vibrations, the question arises as to the potential impact of sending sound waves into the water.
In the frame of the IMPOPSIS project, we set up a BACI (Before After Control Impact) monitoring to acquire data on the impact of seismic sampling on the fish populations of the Lake of Geneva and in particular on the perch (juveniles of Perca fluviatilis), the main species present in the Small lake at this period and which are used as a model species for the individual characterizations. This species represents between 70 and 80% of the fish present in the Lake of Geneva (EAWAG, 2014; Frantz et al., 2018). This approach could also serve as a reference for this type of sampling, which has been little documented in the lake environment until now.
Project partner(s)
Project leader - team
Franck Cattaneo
(HEPIA),
Antoine Polblanc
(HEPIA)