Dangerous Time Bomb: World War II Munitions in the North and Baltic Seas Need Immediate Action
Weapons, remnants of past conflicts, disintegrating in Northern and Baltic waterways.
Gather round, mateys! The old bombs and munitions hidden deep in the North and Baltic Seas are causing quite a stir among experts. They warn we're running out of time, and these ticking time bombs could have serious consequences if we don't act fast.
Experts believe there's a whopping 1.6 million tons of grenades, torpedoes, bombs, mines, and cartridges sitting at the bottom of the ocean. That's a train from Paris to Moscow, according to Katja Matthes, director of the Kiel-based Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research (GEOMAR).
So, why all the fuss? Well, these old cases are deteriorating, releasing hazardous substances that can do some nasty things. They're known to be carcinogenic and can damage DNA. Yikes! Already, more than 3,000 kilograms of toxic chemicals have been detected in the southwestern Baltic Sea.
But here's the kicker – even though concentrations haven't exceeded safety thresholds, they could rise quickly. Already, hazardous substances have been detected in mussels and fish. TNT can accumulate in fish, which then makes its way to the food chain. While humans haven't been affected yet, it's a toss-up when that could change.
Jennifer Strehse, an expert from the Kiel Institute of Toxicology and Pharmacology, thinks the current situation isn't a threat to human health from contaminated fish. Still, even if you chowed down on a contaminated fish every day for the rest of your life, the experts say it wouldn't cause harm to you.
Munitions Hotspots Near Coasts
The entire German area of the Baltic Sea is contaminated with munitions, says GEOMAR geologist Jens Greinert. These are the areas designated by the Allies after the war for sinking grenades, torpedoes, bombs, mines, and cartridges. Greinert and his team often explore the Kolberger Heide, a sinking area near Kiel and just a few kilometers from the shore.
There, they find the munitions lying practically wide open, like a giant swiss cheese. With each passing inspection, more holes appear, making it clear that action is needed now more than ever. Greinert thinks the German Baltic Sea could be free of munitions by the end of 2040 if there's enough funding available.
German Government Provides Funds
More than 200 experts from 16 countries will gather in Kiel for the Munition Clearance Week conference to discuss the best ways to remove these chemical weapons from the sea and deal with the protection of critical infrastructures in the North and Baltic Seas. The event takes place from Monday to Friday, and companies like TKMS shipyard will showcase a floating disposal platform for munitions waste during a technology fair.
What about the autonomous underwater robot, Greyshark, presented by the Bremen-based company Euroatlas? This clever gadget is equipped with 17 sensors and can create detailed underwater models. Not only can it identify the munitions on the seabed, but it can also assess their condition and determine if they've already dissolved. The technology is also ideal for protecting pipelines and creating digital copies of them.
The German government has already handed over 100 million euros for a quick recovery project to remove munition remnants in the North and Baltic Seas. In September 2023, three salvage companies started recovering World War II munitions from the Lübeck Bay on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment. These pilot salvage operations will provide valuable insights for systematic removal, using platforms, in the future.
"This old World War II ammunition threatens to become one of the largest pollution sources in our seas," said Schleswig-Holstein's Green Environment Minister Tobias Goldschmidt. Enough is enough; it's time for the new federal government to step up and tackle this problem with renewed vigor. "It's typical environmental policy," Goldschmidt continues, "where problems keep growing, are denied for a long time, and then debated about whether to address them. Time passes." Let's hope that won't be the case this time!
- Education about the dangers of World War II munitions in the North and Baltic Seas is essential to raise awareness and prompt immediate action.
- Science and environmental-science play a crucial role in understanding the impact of munitions on marine ecosystems and human health.
- The issue of climate-change and its effects on the ocean's chemical composition should be considered when addressing the munitions contamination challenge.
- Renewable-energy solutions could potentially fund the cleanup efforts while minimizing the environmental impact of normal activities in the industry.
- Policy-and-legislation and politics must take a proactive stance to allocate necessary funds and resources for the removal of these munitions.
- General-news outlets should give increased coverage to the topic of munitions in the North and Baltic Seas, keeping the public informed and engaged.
- Crime-and-justice may be involved if it is discovered that munitions were illegally disposed of or traded, requiring the cooperation of law enforcement agencies in their investigations.
