Shipwrecks from WWI and WWII are polluting the North Sea

Shipwrecks from World War I and World War II are causing pollution in the North Sea, according to a recent study published in the Marine Pollution Bulletin. In April 1917, the German submarine UC-30 sank off the coast of Rømø after colliding with a British mine, killing 27 crew members. The submarine, which had been carrying 18 mines and six torpedoes, was discovered in 2016.

Professor Katrine Juul Andresen of Aarhus University helped investigate the wreck as part of the NorthSeaWrecks project, collecting water, seabed, and wildlife samples. The analysis showed traces of TNT in the ecosystem, confirming that the submarine is polluting the surrounding environment. The professor notes that this is likely a localized source of pollution, but it is likely to worsen as the wreck deteriorates and exposes more explosives.

The North Sea was crucial during both World Wars, with both sides using submarines and laying thousands of mines. There are currently around 10,127 wrecks in Danish waters, with about 15% dating back to the two world wars. The Danish Environmental Protection Agency commissioned a report to assess the environmental risks posed by these wrecks and to determine potential measures to prevent or mitigate the pollution.

Andresen suggests that more concrete measures may be needed to manage this pollution, as Germany has already allocated significant funds to retrieve some World War II munitions from the Baltic Sea. However, detonating underwater munitions can sometimes worsen the pollution problem. Researchers are exploring gentler solutions, such as developing crawling seabed robots to map and neutralize munitions. Some wrecks are already partially buried in the seabed, reducing the risk of pollution.