Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea
Knowledge Portal Munitions in the Sea

Knowledge base

Warfare material has sunk to the seabed of many seas and oceans. Since modern times these underwater-objects are containing hazardous compounds, like explosives or chemical warfare agents. This Knowledge Hub, generously supported by Fraunhofer Institute for Chemical Technology (ICT), opens a perspective on the state of science of this very special field of research in Europe.

 

Belgium Germany Denmark Finland Great Britain Italy Netherlands Norway Poland Sweden others (NATO,EC)

Belgium

MUMM

Vautier Straat 29, 1000 Brussels

Contact

Expertise

  • National coordination
  • Data Management
  • UXO Mapping & detecting
  • Fieldwork and marine operation
  • Hydro acoustic and optical imaging
  • Chemical analysis of explosives and related compounds
  • Risk assessment - human and environment
  • Sampling methods of different matrixes

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • Multiple

Paper

  •  

Vlaams Instituut voor de Zee (VLIZ) Flanders Marine Institute - InnovOcean site

Wandelaarkaai 7 (entrance: warehouse 48), 8400 Ostend

Contact

  • Dr. Tine Missiaen
  • Tel.: +32-(0)59-34 14 17
  • E-mail: tine.missiaen@vliz.be
  • https://www.vliz.be

Expertise

  • The Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) promotes accumulation of marine knowledge and excellence in marine research in Flanders. The marine research areas are the ocean and seas, the coast and the tidal systems.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • MERCW
  • DISARM (Paardenmarkt)
  • BASTA
  • CONMAR (DAM)

Paper

  • multiple

Germany

Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI) Helmholtz centre for polar and marine research

Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven

Contact

Expertise

  • As the Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, the Alfred Wegener Institute is primarily active in the cold and temperate regions of the world. Working together with numerous national and international partners, we are actively involved in unravelling the complex processes at work in the “Earth System”.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • CHEMSEA
  • MODUM
  • DAIMON and DAIMON 2
  • NorthSeaWrecks (NSW)
  • WRUMM

Paper

  • multiple

GEOMAR Helmholtz centre for ocean research

Kiel Wischhofstrasse 1-3, 24148 Kiel, Germany

Contact

Expertise

  • Coordination
  • Data Management
  • UXO Mapping & detecting
  • Fieldwork and marine operation
  • Sensor development
  • Hydroacoustic and optical imaging
  • Chemical analysis of explosives and related compounds
  • AI for automated observation and data processing

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • UDEMM done
  • RoBEMM done
  • BASTA done
  • ExPloTect done
  • CONMAR running
  • ProBaNNt running
  • AMMOTRACE running

Paper

  • multiple

ITAW - University of veterinary medicine Hannover

The institute for Terrestrial and Aquatic Wildlife Research, Büsum

Contact

Expertise

  • Examination of the effects of dumped munition on predator species in the Baltic Sea
  • Post-mortem investigations compatible with blast injury study of potential effects of munition compounds on eider ducks, since they predate in mussels

MEC / UXO-Projects

Paper

Institut für Toxikologie und Pharmakologie für Naturwissenschhaftler / Institute of toxicology and pharmacology for natural scientists - University medical school Schleswig-Holstein

Brunswiker Str. 10, 24105 Kiel

Contact

Expertise

  • MEC Analysis (UHPLC, GC-MS/MS)
  • Matrices: all biota, sediment, scratch samples, water
    Acute and chronic toxicity (in vitro, in vivo; model organisms)
  • Biomarkers (molecular)
    Bacterial MEC degradation, remediation
  • Risk assessment: ecosphere, top predators, humans (incl. sea-food consumers)

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • UDEMM (BMBF)
  • (DAIMON)
  • NSW (EU, Interreg)
  • TATTOO (UBA)
  • PILOT (MELUND)
  • CONMAR (submitted)
  • (diverse commissioned)

Paper

Wehrtechnische Dienststelle für Schiffe, Marinewaffen, Maritime Technologie und Forschung der Bundeswehr (WTD 71) / Technical center for ships and naval weapons, maritime technology and research of german armed forces

Berliner Str. 115, 24340 Eckernförde



Contact

  • Dr. Uwe Kretschmer
  • Dr. Wolfgang Jans
  • Phone: +49 4351 467-0
  • Email: WTD71-InternationalCooperation@Bundeswehr.org

Expertise

  • The Technical Center for Ships and Naval Weapons, Maritime Technology and Research (WTD 71) is tasked with supporting the German Navy in maritime issues of defence technology and defence science. The range of tasks covers the entire spectrum of maritime defence technology in all phases of the development process of defence material. The activities are primarily aimed at the overall ship system and the interaction of different components of this system in the maritime environment. Regarding underwater munitions we are supporting  the German Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (www.WSV.de) especially with know how with AUV.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • SOAM
  • KAPITAS
  • ...

Paper

  • multiple

Denmark

Aarhus University - Department of Geoscience  

Høegh-Guldbergs Gade 2, DK-8000  Aarhus C.
Department of Environmental Science - Environmental chemistry & toxicology, Roskilde

Contact

  • Ass. Prof. Katrine Juul Andresen
    Email: geologi@au.dk
    Phone: +45 9352 2570
  • Dr. Hans Sandersson
    Email: hasa@envs.au.dk
    Phone: +45 87158632
  • https://international.au.dk/

Expertise

  • Release, distribution, sampling, incorporation and biological effects of toxic munition compounds in fresh water and marine environment.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • MERCW    
  • North Sea Wrecks

Paper

  • multiple

Finland

Suomen ympäristökeskus (SYKE) - Finnish Environment Institute

Latokartanonkaari 11, 00790 Helsinki

Contact

  • Anu Lastumäki    
  • Email: anu.lastumaki@syke.fi
  • https://www.syke.fi/en-US

Expertise

  • At the Finnish Environment Institute SYKE, we offer strong expertise and independent information on global phenomena such as climate change, biodiversity loss, overconsumption, pollution and eutrophication.
  • Cooperation with VERFIN in the field of underwater munitions.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • CHEMSEA
  • MODUM
  • DAIMON and DAIMON 2
  • WRUMM

Paper

  • multiple

University of Helsinki - VERIFIN

The finnish institute for verification of the chemical weapons convention

A. I. Virtasen aukio 1, 00560 Helsinki

Contact

  • Paula Vanninen
  • Phone: +358 2941 50443
  • E-mail: paula.vanninen@helsinki.fi

Expertise

  • VERIFIN was established in 1994, as continuation of the Chemical Weapons (CW) research project working since 1973. Operations of VERIFIN are mainly funded by the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. VERIFIN supports the disarmament of chemical weapons by development of identification methods for chemical warfare agents (CWA).

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • CHEMSEA
  • MODUM
  • DAIMON and DAIMON 2

Paper

Great Britain

Ministry of Defence (MoD)

Salvage & Marine Operations SALMO
MOD Abbey Wood, Ash 2B #3212, Bristol, BS34 8JH

Contact

  • Mathew Skelhorn
  • Email: Mathew.Skelhorn219@mod.gov.uk
  • Dr. Polly Hill
  • Email: POLLY.HILL111@mod.gov.uk
  • Phone: 0300 159 0656

Expertise

  • Wreck Environmental Studies
  • Salvage & Marine Operations

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • NorthSeaWrecks NSW

Paper

  • multiple

Italy

CNR - Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche

Piazzale Aldo Moro, 7 - 00185 Roma, Italia

Contact

Expertise

  • Initiator and Rapporteur for the joint action “Munitions in the Sea” to JPI-Ocean’s management board

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • T.b.d.

Paper

  • T.b.d.

Netherlands

Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek (TNO)

Netherlands organization for applied scientific research centre for sustainable geo energy
Kessler park, Lange Kleiweg 1D, 2288 GH Rijswijk

Contact

  • Email: info@tno.nl
  • Phone: +31 88 866 08 66.
  • https://www.tno.nl/

Expertise

  • TNO is an independent research organisation. We believe in the joint creation of economic and social value. We focus on transitions or changes in nine different social themes. Innovation with purpose is what TNO stands for. We develop knowledge not for its own sake, but for practical application.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • NATO-Science & Technology Organization
  • multiple

Paper

  • multiple

Norway

Forsvarets forsknings­institutt (FFI)

Norwegian Defence Research Establishment
Nedre vei, Karljohansvern, 3183 Horten

Contact

  • Øyvind Voie
  • Petter H Kvadsheim
  • Arnt Johnsen
  • John A Tørnes
  • Helle K Rossland
  • Petter Lågstad
  • https://www.ffi.no/en

Expertise

  • Wreck investigation in Skagerrak
  • Distribution of Chemical Warefare Agents in Marine Ecosystems
  • National coordination
  • Data Management
  • UXO Mapping & detecting
  • Fieldwork and marine operation
  • Sensor development
  • Hydro acoustic and optical imaging
  • Chemical analysis of explosives and related compounds
  • Uptake and toxicity in marine organisms
  • Risk assessment - human and environment
  • Post blast diffusion
  • Impact of shock waves on marine life
  • Sampling methods of different matrixes

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • DAIMON
  • BASTA
  • North Sea Wrecks
  • Ammunition Risk
  • Evaluation of bubble curtains
  • Localization of War remnants
  • NATO STO

Paper

Poland

JInstitute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences

Powstańców Warszawy 55, 81-712 Sopot, , P.O. Box 148

Contact

  • Assoc. Prof. Jacek Bełdowski
  • Phone:+48 58 73 11 600
  • Fax:+48 58 551 21 30
  • E-mail: office@iopan.pl
  • https://www.iopan.pl/en/

Expertise

  • Institute of Oceanology Polish Academy of Sciences (IO PAN) was founded in 1983 in place of the Marine Station in Sopot which had existed since 1953.
  • The mission of the Institute of Oceanology is to conduct marine environmental research in order to expand knowledge of the processes and phenomena taking place there.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • CHEMSEA
  • MODUM
  • DAIMON and DAIMON 2
  • WRUMM

Paper

  • multiple

Sweden

Chalmers University of Technology in Gothenburg

Division of Geology and Geotechnics, Campus Johanneberg
Sven Hultins Gata 6, 412 58 Gothenburg

Contact

  • Lars Rosen, Head of Division
  • https://www.chalmers.se/en/staff/Pages/lars-rosen.aspx
  • https://www.chalmers.se

Expertise

  • Wreck corrosion modelling and prediction of releases of load and fuel

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • DAIMON

Paper

  • multiple

others

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

Science & Technology Organization (S&T), Collaboration Support Office
BP 25, 92201 Neuilly-sur-Seine, FRANCE

Contact

  • Executive Officer Applied Vehicle Technology Panel
  • David Klassen
  • T +33 1 55 61 22 85
  • david.klassen@cso.nato.int
  • www.sto.nato.int

Expertise

  • The Applied Vehicle Technology Panel, comprising more than 1000 scientists and engineers, strives to improve the performance, reliability, affordability, and safety of vehicles through advancement of appropriate technologies.
  • To accomplish this mission the members of the AVT community exploit their joint expertise also in the fields of Propulsion and power systems, including energetic materials.

MEC / UXO-Projects

  • multiple

Paper

  • multiple

European Commission (EC)

Directorate-General for Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Sea basin strategies, Maritime Regional Cooperation and Maritime Security
1049 Bruxelles/Brussel, BELGIUM

Contact

  • Thierry Seegers
  • Phone: +32 2 299 11 11
  • https://oceans-and-fisheries.ec.europa.eu

Expertise

  • DG MARE works to ensure that the ocean resources are used sustainably and that coastal communities and the fishing sector have a prosperous future promote maritime policies and stimulate a sustainable blue economy, in addition to promote ocean governance at international level.

MEC / UXO-Projects

Paper