Marine Life Thrives on WWII Explosives in the Baltic Sea

Scientists have discovered that marine life, including crabs, worms, and fish, is thriving on the surfaces of World War II explosives in the Baltic Sea. This finding emerged from an expedition using an undersea submersible at a former weapons dump site, where researchers observed more creatures inhabiting the warheads than the surrounding seabed. According to study author Andrey Vedenin from the Senckenberg Research Institute in Germany, initial expectations predicted lower populations due to the presumed toxicity of these remnants. Instead, the results revealed a surprising abundance of marine organisms.

The Baltic Sea is home to approximately 1.6 million tons (1.5 million metric tonnes) of dumped munitions, primarily from the two world wars of the 20th century. These relics often contain nuclear and chemical remnants alongside explosives such as TNT. This latest research adds to a growing body of evidence showing that wildlife can flourish in polluted environments. Past studies have documented shipwrecks and former military sites serving as vibrant ecosystems.

Unexpected Biodiversity on Warheads

In the current study, researchers filmed diverse marine networks, including anemones and starfish, in the Bay of Lübeck off Germany’s coast, using fragments of V-1 flying bombs as a backdrop. James Porter, an ecologist from the University of Georgia not involved in the research, remarked, “Normally, one does not study the ecology of bombs.”

The intriguing question arises: why do sea creatures choose to inhabit these contaminated weapons? According to Vedenin, the hard surfaces of the explosives may provide an appealing habitat, particularly in the Baltic Sea, where the seabed predominantly consists of flat mud and sand. The removal of stones and boulders for construction during the 1800s and 1900s has left few natural hard surfaces, making the warheads attractive to marine life.

Moreover, the area surrounding the explosives tends to be relatively isolated from human activity due to the presence of chemicals, which creates a unique environment where marine life can thrive despite the potential hazards.

Future Research Directions

Scientists are now looking to quantify how much contamination these sea creatures have absorbed. An important next step in the research will involve observing whether these organisms can reproduce in their unusual habitat.

Marine conservation biologist David Johnston from Duke University emphasized the significance of these findings, stating that studies like this highlight nature’s ability to adapt and flourish in the wake of human activities. Johnston has previously mapped sunken World War I ships that have similarly become habitats for wildlife along the Potomac River in Maryland. “I think it’s a really cool testimony to the strength of life,” he said.

This research was published on October 12, 2023, in the journal Communications Earth and Environment. The findings underscore a complex relationship between humanity and the natural world, illustrating how life can not only persist but thrive in environments shaped by historical conflicts.