Unexploded World War II bombs poison the Baltic Sea
Thousands of unexploded bombs from World War II lie on the Baltic Sea bed, leaking toxic substances that threaten marine life. Swedish Armed Forces and experts are racing against time to defuse them before damage becomes irreversible. The issue is urgent as leaks of TNT and heavy metals already impact fish and ecosystems.
The Baltic Sea carries a hidden legacy from World War II: up to 40,000 tons of unexploded ordnance slowly eroding the marine environment. According to Aftonbladet, these bombs leak hazardous substances like TNT, arsenic, and other heavy metals, creating toxic zones on the seabed. Experts warn that the poison spreads through sediments, affecting the entire food chain from plankton to fish consumed by humans.
The Swedish Armed Forces have identified hundreds of wrecks and bombs in Swedish waters, particularly around Gotland and Öland. A report from the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI) estimates at least 15,000 tons of explosives remain undiscovered. "It's a time bomb beneath the surface," says maritime archaeologist Johan Rönnby in the article. He emphasizes that corrosion is accelerating due to rising sea temperatures from climate change.
Efforts to clear the seabed are complex and costly. Last summer, an operation off Liepāja in Latvia saw Swedish divers collaborate with NATO partners to detonate a cluster of bombs. Similar initiatives are planned in Swedish waters for 2024. However, challenges abound: depths, currents, and risks of uncontrolled explosions require advanced equipment.
Environmental groups like Greenpeace call for international cooperation. "The Baltic Sea is a closed ecosystem, so pollutants accumulate here over time," says a spokesperson. So far, only a fraction of the ammunition has been removed, and experts fear long-term impacts on biodiversity. The government has allocated funds for surveys, but critics argue the pace is too slow.
This race against time highlights how historical conflicts continue to affect the present, underscoring the need for sustainable solutions to protect one of Europe's most vulnerable seas.