The HELCOM SUBMERGED Assessment and the Distibution of Munitions in the Baltic Sea_final

The HELCOM SUBMERGED Assessment and theDistribution of Munitions in the Baltic SeaBSPC Standing Committee MeetingTorsten FreyGEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research KielNovember 21, 2022Distribution of Munitions in the Baltic SeaDistribution of Munitions in the German Baltic SeaContamination Hot Spots in German WatersHaffkrug PelzerhakenFlensburg(ca. 16.000 t) (ca. 35.000 t)Triangle(min. 1.400 t)KolbergerHeide(ca. 30.000 t)Dumping area German territorial watersOrdnance confirmed German EEZOrdnance suspectedOverview of Munition ContaminatedAreas in German Waters (Böttcher et al. 2011)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Distribution of Munitions in the German Baltic SeaRelative Mine Risk in the Baltic SeaRelative Mine Density in the Baltic Sea (© Møller, © HELCOM)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Distribution of Munitions in the German Baltic SeaContamination Hot Spot Kolberger HeideMultibeam map of a subsection of dumpsite Kolberger Heide (© GEOMAR) Munitions in German dumpsites (© GEOMAR)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Distribution of Munitions in the German Baltic SeaContamination Hot Spot Kolberger HeideMunitions Pile in Kolberger Heide (© GEOMAR)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Distribution of Munitions in the German Baltic SeaContamination Hot Spot Lübeck BayHELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentThe HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentIntroduction to HELCOMOrganisation of HELCOM (© HELCOM)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentIntroduction to HELCOM EG SUBMERGEDThe overall aim of the HELCOM Expert Group on Environmental Risks ofSubmerged Objects (EG SUBEMERGED) is to contribute to regionallycoordinated actions on submerged munitions and explosives ofconcern as well as other submerged hazardous objects, aiming, inthe long-term, at addressing potential adverse effects of such objects andtheir constituents on the marine environment of the Baltic Sea.HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentContent Overview• History and Geographic Background(For the first time for each Baltic Sea State)• Effects and Risks(Based on the findings of research projects –DAIMON, UDEMM, BASTA, ExPloTect, etc.)• Methods for Detection and Management(Summary of the technological state of the art)• National and International Efforts and Activities(Past and ongoing activities of most Baltic Sea States)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentAssessment Conclusions – Areas of Concern“There are three major areas of concern relating to the issue of warfare materials. These are, theexplosive hazard of the warfare materials, consequences of direct contact with munitions objectsand environmental effects of munitions compounds.”Underwater Detonation (© Liesa Johannssen)TNT Contamination in the German Baltic Sea © BeckWhite Phosphorous (© NDR)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentAssessment Conclusions – Knowledge Gaps“Despite great efforts, knowledge gaps exist and additional research on warfare materials in theBaltic Sea is required.”Some Gaps:• A decision making framework on where to startclearance• Continuous monitoring of contamination hotspots• Knowledge on how munitions compounds accumulatealong the food web• Toxicological thresholds for munitions compounds inmarine biotaHELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentAssessment Conclusions – Data Collection and Sharing“Data collection and sharing on all warfare materials encounters in the region are needed to betteraddress possible risk and identify areas of action. The contracting parties are invited to discuss theneed and the advantages of a Baltic Sea wide dataset.”OSPAR already has amunitions encountersdatabase in place.Chemical Dumpsites and Mine Risk Areas (© HELCOM MADS)HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022The HELCOM SUBMERGED AssessmentAssessment Conclusion – Clearance/Disposal Technologies“Investment into clearance and disposal are encouraged to achieve a sustainable, safe and cost-effective growth of the Blue Economy in the Baltic Sea area.”Crawler (© Deep C) Concept for a Munitions Disposal Platofrm (© TKMS)This already exists This needs to be developed.HELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Summary and OutlookSummary and OutlookWhat do we know and what should we do next?Distribution• Munitions must be expect all around the Baltic Sea• Contamination hotspots are known but not fully investigatedResearch• Areas of concern are identified but continuous research is requiredData• Baltic Sea wide datasets are desirableTechnology• Detection and Investigation methods are well established• Clearance and disposal technologies need to be scaled up significantlyHELCOM SUBMERGED and Munitions in the Baltic Sea | November 21, 2022Thank you for your attention!Torsten Frey (tfrey@geomar.de)GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel