Report on Marine Ecosystems Developing on Submerged Military Remnants and Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

This report analyzes recent scientific findings regarding the colonization of submerged military ordnance and vessels by marine life. It examines two primary case studies: a World War II munitions dumpsite in the Baltic Sea and the World War I “Ghost Fleet” in Mallows Bay, Maryland. The analysis places significant emphasis on the direct and indirect implications of these findings for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 14 (Life Below Water), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

Case Study: World War II Munitions in the Baltic Sea

Research Overview and Findings

A study conducted in Lübeck Bay investigated a newly discovered dumpsite of World War II munitions. Research published in Communications Earth & Environment details the findings from an October 2024 submersible investigation.

• Munition Identification: The submerged objects were identified as warheads from V-1 flying bombs.
• Organism Density: The hard surfaces of the munitions supported a significantly higher abundance of marine life compared to the surrounding soft seabed, with an average of 43,000 organisms per square meter on the munitions versus 8,200 organisms per square meter on the sediment.
• Chemical Contamination: Water samples revealed wide-ranging concentrations of toxic explosive compounds, primarily TNT and RDX, from 30 nanograms per liter to a potentially fatal 2.7 milligrams per liter.
• Colonization Patterns: Organisms were observed to colonize the metal casings rather than the exposed explosive material, suggesting a potential avoidance of direct chemical exposure.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The study highlights a complex environmental challenge that directly relates to several SDGs.

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water: The findings present a paradox for marine conservation.
   • The munitions represent a significant source of marine pollution (Target 14.1), releasing toxic chemicals that threaten marine health.
   • Simultaneously, in an environment lacking natural hard substrates, they function as artificial reefs, supporting biodiversity. This complicates strategies for marine ecosystem protection and restoration (Target 14.2), as removal of the polluting source would also eliminate a critical habitat.
   • The authors’ recommendation to replace the munitions with safe artificial surfaces aligns with proactive measures to restore marine ecosystems while mitigating pollution.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The presence of sea-dumped munitions is a direct legacy of past conflict. Addressing this environmental hazard is a component of mitigating the long-term consequences of war, contributing to the broader goal of peaceful and secure societies.

Case Study: The “Ghost Fleet” of Mallows Bay, Maryland

Project Overview and Significance

A separate study published in Scientific Data presents a high-resolution photographic map of 147 World War I-era shipwrecks in Mallows Bay. These vessels, deliberately sunk in the 1920s, have since become a recognized and thriving wildlife habitat.

• Mapping Initiative: Researchers used aerial drones to create a detailed map (3.5 cm per pixel resolution) of the entire fleet.
• Ecological Value: The wrecks provide a critical habitat for a diverse range of species, including ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) and the Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus).
• Research Utility: The map serves as a valuable resource for future archaeological, ecological, and cultural studies.

Implications for Sustainable Development Goals

The Mallows Bay case provides a different perspective on the intersection of historical remnants and environmental sustainability.

1. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: The Ghost Fleet is a prime example of underwater cultural heritage. Its transformation into a vital natural habitat underscores the importance of Target 11.4: “Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.”
2. SDG 14 (Life Below Water) and SDG 15 (Life on Land): The site demonstrates the interconnectedness of marine and terrestrial ecosystems. The wrecks support aquatic life (Target 14.2) while also providing nesting and feeding grounds for avian species, contributing to the goals of SDG 15.

Conclusion and Recommendations

These case studies demonstrate that remnants of human conflict can unintentionally become significant marine habitats, posing both risks and opportunities for environmental management. The toxic nature of the Baltic Sea munitions contrasts with the more stable ecosystem of Mallows Bay, highlighting the need for context-specific solutions aligned with the SDGs.

Policy Recommendations

To address these complex environmental legacies, the following actions are recommended:

• Enhance Research and Monitoring: Invest in long-term studies to understand the full ecological impact of submerged munitions and wrecks, informing risk assessments and management strategies in line with SDG 14.
• Develop Remediation Strategies: Prioritize the development of safe, effective methods for removing or neutralizing hazardous materials from the marine environment (Target 14.1), considering the concurrent creation of safe artificial habitats to maintain biodiversity (Target 14.2).
• Integrate Heritage and Conservation: Formally recognize and protect sites where historical artifacts have become ecologically significant, integrating their management into national conservation and cultural heritage frameworks (Target 11.4).

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 14: Life Below Water

  This is the most prominent SDG in the article. The entire text focuses on marine ecosystems, the impact of pollution from discarded munitions on marine life, and how these man-made objects serve as artificial habitats on the seabed. It discusses the abundance of organisms on these structures compared to the surrounding environment, directly addressing the health and state of life below water.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  This SDG is relevant through its focus on protecting cultural and natural heritage. The article mentions the “Ghost Fleet” of Mallows Bay, a collection of World War I shipwrecks, and highlights the creation of a high-resolution map for “future archaeological, ecological, and cultural research into the fleet.” This positions the shipwrecks not just as ecological habitats but also as significant cultural and historical artifacts that need to be safeguarded.

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

  The article’s subject matter—discarded munitions from World War II and shipwrecks from World War I—is a direct consequence of past conflicts. The presence of these “remnants of human conflict” and their ongoing environmental impact connects the discussion to the long-term consequences of war and violence, which SDG 16 aims to reduce.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • Target 14.1: Reduce marine pollution

     The article directly addresses this target by discussing the pollution from discarded munitions. It states that these weapons “contain chemicals that are extremely harmful to marine life” and mentions the presence of “explosive compounds (mostly TNT and RDX)” in the water, highlighting a specific type of marine pollution that needs to be managed.

   • Target 14.2: Protect and restore ecosystems

     The research explores how marine ecosystems are adapting to the presence of munitions. While the munitions are toxic, they also “unintentionally create habitats for wildlife.” The conclusion that “replacing them with a safe artificial surface would further benefit the local ecosystem” speaks directly to the management, protection, and potential restoration of these unique marine environments.

   • Target 14.5: Conserve coastal and marine areas

     The description of the “Ghost Fleet” of Mallows Bay as a “habitat for a wide variety of wildlife, such as ospreys (Pandion haliaetus) and Atlantic sturgeon (Acipenser oxyrinchus)” identifies it as an area of significant ecological value. Mapping and studying such an area is a foundational step towards its conservation as an important marine habitat.

2. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: Protect the world’s cultural and natural heritage

     The article connects to this target by describing the effort to create a “high-resolution photographic map of all 147 wrecks” in Mallows Bay. This initiative is explicitly intended to support “archaeological, ecological, and cultural research,” thereby contributing to the protection and safeguarding of this unique underwater cultural heritage site.

3. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • Target 16.1: Reduce all forms of violence

     This target is implicitly connected. The munitions and shipwrecks are physical legacies of past global conflicts (“World War II munitions,” “World War I shipwrecks”). The article’s focus on their long-term environmental impact serves as a reminder of the lasting, destructive consequences of violence, reinforcing the importance of preventing conflict.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several quantitative and qualitative indicators that can be used to measure progress.

1. Indicators for SDG 14 (Life Below Water)

   • Indicator for Target 14.1 (Marine Pollution):

     The concentration of toxic compounds in the water is a direct indicator of pollution levels. The article specifies this, stating that “concentrations of explosive compounds (mostly TNT and RDX) in the water varied widely, from as little as 30 nanograms per liter to as much as 2.7 milligrams per liter.” Monitoring these levels over time would measure progress in reducing this type of pollution.

   • Indicator for Target 14.2 (Ecosystem Health):

     The density of marine life is used as an indicator of habitat quality. The article provides a clear metric: “an average of around 43,000 organisms per square meter [on munitions] compared to around 8,200 organisms per square meter [on sediment].” This comparison helps quantify the ecological role of these artificial structures. The presence of specific species, like “ospreys” and “Atlantic sturgeon” at the Mallows Bay site, also serves as a qualitative indicator of a functioning ecosystem.

2. Indicators for SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

   • Indicator for Target 11.4 (Cultural Heritage Protection):

     An indicator for progress in safeguarding heritage is the documentation and mapping of sites. The article explicitly mentions the creation of a “high-resolution photographic map of all 147 wrecks” in Mallows Bay. The existence and quality of this map serve as a tangible measure of efforts to protect and study this cultural site.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: scitechdaily.com