Étang de Berre
The marsh is a bay in Provence in southern France that contains a saltwater marsh.
It lies on the coast of Côte Bleue, northwest of Marseille and east of the Rhone Valley and is connected by the narrow Canal de Caronte with the Gulf of Fos. It therefore meets the criteria for a Lagoon. With its extension of 155.3 km ², it is also considered the largest lake in France. This is accessible through the of a highway bridge crossing Canal Quarante even for large ships from the Mediterranean today.
This is one of its port area along with the oil port on the Gulf of Fos and an outer harbor, at the mouth of the Rhône to the port complex of Marseille, who is after that of Rotterdam as the second most important seaport in Europe. The existing limestone Chaîne de l' Estaque forms a natural barrier to the sea. The marsh is used to Seesalzgewinnung and shellfish. In its surroundings petroleum refineries and a hydroelectric power plant are located, which leads to environmental problems.
It is close to the port city of Martigues, which is due to it by withdrawing channels known as the " Little Venice ", and due to its central location important for the South of France Marseille Provence Airport. Above the valley lies the small town miramas whose origins date back to the 5th century reach back and was first mentioned as a village in the year 964 in a document. The old town still retains many medieval fortifications and a castle on. Up to the marsh around the fledgling wine region Coteaux d' Aix enough. In the marsh flows the small river Arc.
A second (artificial ) connection to the Mediterranean there since 1926. Canal de Marseille au Rhône joined the marsh through the Tunnel du Rove (under the Estaque Mountains ) with the port of Marseille. Since the collapse of part of the Tunnel du Rove in 1963, however, the channel is no longer passable.
Economy of the marsh region
With the establishment of the side ports of Berre in 1919 by the Chamber of Commerce, the construction of the oil port of Lavera at the entrance of the " Etang de Berre " and the end of the 1960s finally decided and executed in the 1970s, the port and industrial project of Fos occurred first changes in the economic structure around the Etang de Berre. Up to this time was lived around the lake most of agriculture. Through the expansion of the city of Marseilles and its industry in the direction of the marsh settled here first in metal industry and later petrochemical industry as well as companies of aviation and space technology. Much of the economic growth today is in the areas west of Marseille, ie in the region Etang de Berre. Be it in the choice of place of residence, the localization of industrial jobs or the service industries. This growth also resulted in a tremendous growth of many communities around the lake, which extend partially today.
Petrochemistry
Petroleum and its further processing tasks in the years 1920-1950 the impetus for the establishment of the maritime infrastructure of Berre and Martigues. Fos has only one generation later, can establish itself as a location for the oil processing ( in the 1970s ). Due to the fact that over the years, some refineries have been built along the Etang de Berre, settled there also numerous companies in the petrochemical industries worldwide. Through a continually increasing demand for oil, it has come to a utilization of refineries and as early as 1976, about 126 million tons of crude oil had to be imported. The increased demand also had also changed the location of many refiners result. First, the refineries were to the crude oil ports on the coasts due to the proximity. Newer refineries, however, were built in the vicinity of the consumer markets, ie in the regions of Lyon and Paris.
Some of the twelve refineries in France are still today at locations around the Etang de Berre: The Shell petrochemicals in Berre L' Etang has Mediterranée including the company's own port land size of approximately 1000 hectares. There, about 4 million tons of oil are processed annually. In Lavéra there is a refinery of the company INEOS, which BP has belonged since 2005. In Fos, the company Exxon Mobil has a refinery, which has a production capacity of 5.5 million tonnes per year. Thus, three of the five largest companies in the world (after annual turnover and net profit) locations on the Etang de Berre. Moreover, the company Total Fina Elf operates a refinery in La Mede.
About Pipelines, and others, the South European Pipeline, gas and oil is transported to Paris, Lyon and to Germany. For further processing of the oil can be found around the lake also companies in the chemical and plastics industry. In Fos is also located one of the largest gas refineries in France.
Aeronautics and Astronautics
The marsh region can be described as an important location for the air and space industry without a doubt. For one, there are two airports in close proximity to the lake. Furthermore, there are many of companies in this industry sector.
Eurocopter, the world's leading helicopter manufacturer in the civil and military models a facility in Marignane, very close to the Marseille airport. 2003, a simulation center was opened on behalf of Eurocopter in Marignane. This is called Helisim. In the vicinity of the city Istres, on the west side of the marsh area, there is another airport which the name Istres - Le Tube carries. This airport is a military airfield. Unique feature is its long runway, which is the longest in Europe at 5 km in length and 60 m in width and was also for this reason one of the country airports for the NASA space shuttle. At the airport there is development and test center of some well-known aviation and aerospace companies. Mention may be made Dassault Aviation, which cooperate with EADS military in the area. The Snecma SA have been making aircraft engines for civil and military aircraft. The last name is the Thales Group, which is also active in the field of civil and military aircraft production.
Hydropower plants
The Electricité de France (EDF) has for level regulation of the river Durance, but primarily to generate electricity a broad-based project carried out which included dams, canals and hydroelectric power plants along the river Durance and Verdon river. The significant for the marsh channel is that which, after the confluence of the Durance and Verdon starts at Jouques and flows into the lake. The project was due to the high energy demand of France in the course of industrial development. In 1950 the degree of self-sufficiency was 67.5 %. Already in 1977, however, the percentage was only 21.7%. The EDF had built for this reason numerous hydroelectric power stations in France. The two hydropower plants in Salon and Saint- Chamas, which are the marsh closest to serve not only the regional supply, but also the security of the entire power system, since if required an immediately available peak capacity can be provided to meet such incidents to can.
Since then, the Etang de Berre is connected through the 1863 and 1925 dug deeper Caronte Canal to the Mediterranean, this former freshwater lake has turned into a brackish lake and, according to the European Economic Community, a saltwater marsh. Against this background, it comes through the channel and the operation of the hydroelectric power plant in Saint- Chamas for the lake to some ecological problems.
Ecological problems
In the Etang de Berre industrial wastewater flowed and flow of the surrounding industrial plants. Most influence on the ecology of the lake, however, has the hydroelectric plant of Saint- Chamas, which is located just before the lake and is operated with water of the Durance channel. This plant bears due to some points in the pollution of the brackish water lake. Therefore, the Commission of the European Communities brought an action against the French Republic to the European Court of Justice (ECJ ) for breach of contract in the " Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution " on the basis of the violation of the following two clauses:
- Convention for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against Pollution - Article 4
Paragraph 1 and 8 (Barcelona Convention of 16 February 1976)
- Protocol for the Protection of the Mediterranean Sea against pollution from land - Article 6
Paragraphs 1 and 3 (Protocol of Athens on 17 May 1980)
Pollution is the essential point in both clauses. Defines the term is as follows:
" Directly or indirectly, of substances or energy by man into the marine environment resulting in such deleterious effects as harm to living resources, hazards to human health, hindrance to marine activities including fishing, impairment of quality for use of sea water and reduction of amenities; ".
From the water power plant freshwater is introduced (3.09 billion cubic meters 1966-2000 ) with added substances in the lake, the oxygen content of the in- lake marine environment directly or indirectly affected, especially those which have a eutrophication of the Etang de Berre result. But there are also substances introduced, which although not toxic, because of the amount in which they are discharged, can be dangerous to the marine environment. Moreover, since it came through the run by the EDF canal and through the hydropower plant for the introduction of sludges and sediments in the marine environment of the lake and through the Caronte channel also to the Mediterranean with mentioned pollution episodes, the French Republic was accused due to the breach of contract.
For the lake have been initiated by the hydroelectric plant amounts of fresh water, slurries (50-80 % of the total inflow ) and sediments means that the salt content decreases, so it comes to desalination and thus also to the stratification of the water. Also, an excessive supply of nutrients and a concomitant eutrophication, with adverse consequences for flora and fauna can be assigned. Eutrophication leads to excessive plant propagation and consequently to an increase in organic matter and thus to a lack of oxygen, which is responsible for increased mortality of some fish species. Due to the large amounts of mud and sediments, the water of the lake is clouded and it penetrates less light, causing the water to plant growth is restricted. Deposited sludge also influence the depth fauna. Through some trials and studies have demonstrated that the system operated by EDF hydroelectric power plant is mainly responsible for the pollution of the lake. The EDF argued that the full capacity operation of the power station, which of course also has the maximum amounts of supplied fresh water and alluvia result, for the sake of maintaining the power system was necessary. This counter-argument of the EDF was declared during the negotiation on the ground that it failed to advance the EDF to build a 400,000 volt relief line, which the discharges of fresh water, sludges and sediments would have considerably reduced. Accordingly, the French Republic (Case C-239/03 ECJ ) was because of the failure to the adoption of appropriate measures to prevent heavy and prolonged pollution of the marsh, to abate and combat condemned on 7 October 2004.
Wine
The viticulture plays an important role in Provence. The climate, with nearly 3000 hours of sunshine per year and low annual rainfall, falling mainly in spring and autumn, favored the vineyards. So encloses the wine growing region Coteaux d' Aix en Provence, named after the town of Aix -en- Provence, the entire lake. Locations for wine growing are the six of the 49 communities approved Carry le Rouet, Gignac, Martigues, miramas, St. Chamas Berre L' Etang and. Be expanded, especially Rosé wines ( 52%) and red wines ( 42%). The rest is covered by white wine.
Cities of cultural significance
The oppidum you Castellan (8th century ) already points to the long history of the place. The Musée du Vieil Istres numerous finds of prehistoric and ancient times are shown. Provencal character has especially the old town of Istres, which is applied oval and was originally surrounded by a city wall. The important role that may have played Istres once, is at its high-quality architecture recognizable ( 17C and 18C ). The development of the new Istres is connected to the described flight and flight test center.
Martigues is initially known for its gardens. Through the Caronte channel, the port city has to the sea. Because of the many canals, islands and many bridges Martigues is also referred to as the " Venice of Provence ". In the local district quartier des pêcheurs, which runs along the St. Sébastien channel, there are still colorfully painted old fishermen's houses from the 17th century, which inspired many painters such as Dufy and Ziem. In addition to the still few remaining commercial fishermen are today at the harbor especially boaters, amateur lovers and fishermen. A few kilometers away from the town is the picturesque Port de Carro and the beautiful sandy beaches of the Côte Bleue.
The town of Salon, one of the oldest cities of Provence and at the same time, the old commercial center of Basse -Provence, characterized by its historic center. The old town itself grew up around the imposing Château de l' Empéri, which was slightly increased built on a hill and was formerly the residence of the Archbishop of Arles. The Musée de l' Emperi numerous military exhibits are from the 17th century until 1918. Besides the Archbishop Nostradamus lived in the salon. Today, the city is also famous for its aviation school and the Patrouille de France, a flyer -show unit known, is based here.
Early on, one has here produced olive oil and soap. So even today many of the term " Savon de Marseille " familiar. Every summer there are numerous cultural and traditional events here.