LOV’s scientific objectives are to elucidate problems of general interest in fields where its researchers have acquired recognized expertise in biology, ecology, chemistry and biogeochemistry. This expertise includes: global estimation of marine and estuarine biogeochemical flows with a focus on the contribution of atmospheric inputs, particle dynamics, biological carbon pump, soot carbon, ocean acidification and warming, oceanic planktonic genomics, dynamics and bioregionalization of planktonic communities (phytoplankton, zooplankton, fish larvae), invasive or harmful species (dinoflagellates, jellyfish, etc) viruses, microzooplankton, and microplastics.
LOV’s research is therefore essentially fundamental and exploratory in nature, with the complementary development of new marine technologies (autonomous vehicles, underwater imaging) dedicated to the global observation of biogeochemical properties, and applied applications such as evaluating sea products for food, cosmetics and energy-biomass (microalgae).