The Baltic Sea Is a Ticking Bomb. Thousands of Tons of Chemicals at the Bottom

Thousands of military wrecks with munitions remains on board rest on the bottom of our seas. Each one has its own peculiarities, as an exciting example from the Adriatic shows. The Adriatic Sea - a fascinating destination on the Mediterranean Sea. Each travel guide exults over turquoise blue waters, unspoilt landscapes, historic cities and a first-class Mediterranean cuisine. But this idyll deludes, as a look under water reveals. We are in early…

Although the Baltic Sea is mainly associated with tourism, leisure and maritime trade, its bottom is a reminder of the dramatic events of the 20th century. According to estimates by the Centre for Sustainable Development of the University of Gdańsk, there are around 65 thousand tons of chemical munitions in the waters of the Baltic Sea. Among this huge mass, from 6 thousand to 13 thousand tons are toxic warfare agents.

The Baltic Sea, one of the most important waters in Europe, is facing a serious ecological threat. Thousands of tons of weapons, ammunition and chemicals from World Wars I and II lie on its bottom and are starting to leak. Experts are sounding the alarm: time is running out. If we do nothing, the consequences could be catastrophic.