WWI German submarine wreck leaking TNT into North Sea

Researchers have confirmed that the wreck of the German World War I submarine SM UC-30 is leaking TNT into the North Sea. The vessel sank in April 1917 after striking a British mine near the Danish island of Rømø, resulting in the deaths of all 27 crew members. The submarine was carrying 18 mines and six torpedoes at the time of its sinking.

In a recent collaboration with the Royal Danish Navy, geoscientists from Aarhus University conducted an investigation to assess the environmental impact of the wreck. Navy divers assisted in collecting water, sediment, and wildlife samples, including mussels and starfish, from the site. Laboratory analysis revealed traces of TNT in the water column, the seabed, and local marine life.

While researchers believe the current pollution is relatively localized, they warn that the situation will likely worsen as the wreck continues to deteriorate due to the corrosive conditions of the North Sea. This issue is part of a broader concern regarding thousands of historic shipwrecks that litter Danish waters, potentially acting as ongoing sources of toxic pollution.