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A Silent Threat Beneath the Waves: The Growing crisis of Sunken WWII Ammunition

The Baltic Sea is quietly facing a decades-old threat: a vast underwater graveyard of unexploded ordnance from World War II. Germany has launched a major initiative, backed by $117.4 million, to address the escalating problem of decaying ammunition contaminating its waters and posing a risk to marine life. The effort involves both immediate recovery operations and long-term research into innovative disposal methods.

Currently, a four-week pilot project is underway off the coast of Boltenhagen, focused on a recently discovered field containing approximately 900 tons of old ammunition.Teams of divers are working around the clock in 12-hour shifts,meticulously sorting and securing the unstable materials in underwater baskets. These baskets are then transported ashore by a specialized vessel for safe disposal at dedicated facilities. The process is painstakingly slow and cautious, recognizing the inherent dangers involved.

“You never know what you’re going to get,” explains veteran diver Klaus Schoenen, highlighting the unpredictable nature of the work. Divers are equipped with multiple layers of protective gear, including three pairs of gloves, to prevent direct contact with the potentially hazardous materials. The risk isn’t just physical; the deteriorating ammunition can spontaneously explode, particularly as the detonators become increasingly unstable with age.

Though, the threat extends beyond immediate explosions. Decaying TNT, a key component of many explosives, is leaching into the water, posing a long-term environmental hazard.Studies by the GEOMAR Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel have revealed traces of carcinogenic compounds accumulating in marine life like mussels and fish. While current levels remain below safety thresholds, researchers warn that concentrations are approaching critical levels, emphasizing the “urgent need for munitions clearance.”

The Baltic Sea’s unique geography exacerbates the problem. Its limited connection to the North Sea and Atlantic Ocean restricts water circulation, meaning pollutants linger for decades.This makes the region particularly vulnerable to the long-term effects of ammunition contamination.

Germany’s project isn’t solely focused on removal.Engineers are actively researching automated recovery systems and the feasibility of a floating industrial plant capable of safely burning the toxic materials at sea. Underwater robots have already been deployed to map the seafloor and assess the extent of the problem, providing crucial data for the design of future facilities.

This challenge isn’t unique to Germany. Marine engineer Volker Hesse emphasizes the global scope of the issue, citing similar problems in the Black Sea due to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, as well as in Vietnam, Cambodia, Denmark, and Poland. “This is definitely a global problem,” he states, underscoring the need for international collaboration and innovative solutions to address this silent, underwater threat.