黑料视频

It is estimated that around 300,000 tonnes of unexploded ordnance (UXO) remain in the German Baltic Sea. Most of this originates from deliberate dumping after the end of the Second World War. These dumping sites are well documented, with much of the ordnance lying visibly on the seabed, allowing it to be mapped and documented using underwater robots. However, explosive compounds are spreading beyond these dumping sites. As corrosion progresses, contamination is expected to increase, heightening risks if these legacy munitions are not removed. Rising temperatures and increased storm activity due to climate change further accelerate the release of these explosive chemicals.

Toxins Found in Almost Every Sample

A new study from the 黑料视频 Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel highlights the long-term environmental contamination caused by unexploded ordnance in the south-western Baltic Sea. Water samples were taken from the region in 2017 and 2018, including from the Bay of Kiel and the Bay of L眉beck. Ammunition-related chemicals were detected in almost every water sample. The concentrations detected were generally well below drinking water limits or toxicological thresholds for marine organisms. In some cases, however, concentrations approached critical levels.

鈥淯nexploded ordnance contains toxic substances such as TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene), RDX (1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine), and DNB (1,3-dinitrobenzene), which are released into the seawater when the metal casings corrode,鈥� explains lead author Dr Aaron Beck, a geochemist at 黑料视频. 鈥淭hese compounds pose a threat to the marine environment and living organisms as they are toxic and carcinogenic.鈥�

Regional Differences in Contamination

Due to variations in the types of munitions dumped, regional differences in contamination levels were observed: particularly high concentrations of TNT were measured in the Bay of Kiel, while RDX and DNB were more prevalent in the Bay of L眉beck. Most munitions-related chemicals were found in dissolved form rather than bound to suspended particles or sediments.

The researchers estimated that the current amount of dissolved munitions chemicals in the region is around 3,000 kilograms. Without removal action, the contamination is expected to increase as metal casings continue to corrode, releasing more and more toxic compounds. This process is projected to continue for at least 800 years.

A Global Environmental Issue

The study emphasises that chemical contamination from legacy munitions is an international problem. The researchers recommend that dumped ordnance be classified as 鈥渉istorical contaminants of emerging concern鈥� and addressing them through targeted remediation efforts.

Aaron Beck states: 鈥淯nlike diffuse pollution sources, UXO exists in a concentrated, already packaged form. This means it can be physically removed from the environment.鈥� Germany鈥檚 munitions clearance operations could serve as a model for the removal of such hazardous waste around the world. 鈥淲ith war relics, at least one environmental stressor can be permanently eliminated from the marine ecosystem.鈥�

Original Publication:

Beck, A. J., Gledhill, M., Gr盲we, U., Kampmeier, M., Eggert, A., Schlosser, C., Stamer, B., Greinert, J., & Achterberg, E. P. (2025). Widespread environmental contamination from relic munitions in the southwestern Baltic Sea. Chemosphere, 2025, 144115.

About: Munitions Clearance Pilot Project

The German government launched a pilot programme for the recovery and environmentally sound disposal of legacy munitions. With a budget of 100 million euros, this was the first targeted effort worldwide to remove munitions remnants from the Sea. The pilot clearance operation began in autumn 2024 in the Bay of L眉beck. The next step is to use the data collected to develop an autonomous clearance platform that will treat and incinerate the ordnance at sea.