WELT Documentary

Underwater graveyards of sunken warships: The Bombs are still waiting to explode

Sunken warship still pose a DEADLY threat to the North and Baltic Sea Explosive waters: Inside the world's most hazardous shipwrecks Underwater graveyards of sunken warships: The Bombs are still waiting to explode ⚓ Hundreds of warships lie silent beneath the North and Baltic Seas. Many still carry torpedoes, mines, and explosives slowly leaking into the ocean. Now scientists and divers are descending into these underwater battlefields to uncover what a century underwater has left behind. Subscribe for more global documentaries. 00:00 - The Hidden Warships of the North and Baltic Seas Hundreds of wrecks lie scattered across the seabed of the North and Baltic Seas. Many of them are forgotten relics of past conflicts or maritime accidents. Survey ships, divers, and scientists are now mapping these underwater obstacles to understand their condition, their history, and the risks they still pose to modern shipping and marine ecosystems. 10:39 - Robots and Divers Exploring Toxic Wrecks TNT residues found in historic shipwrecks are the result of slowly corroding munitions that have remained underwater for decades. As metal casings of torpedoes, shells, and mines deteriorate, explosive compounds such as TNT dissolve into the surrounding water and sediment. These chemicals are highly toxic and can accumulate in marine organisms living near the wrecks. Scientists have detected TNT and its breakdown products in fish, sediment, and other seabed species, raising concerns about long-term environmental impacts and possible effects on the marine food chain. 35:20 - Operations near Helgoland show how complex scientific work at sea can be. Research vessels must hold precise positions in one of the world’s busiest shipping corridors while deploying sensitive equipment, coordinated with maritime traffic control. Scientists are also studying wrecks such as the German cruiser SMS Mainz, sunk during the 1914 Battle of Helgoland Bight. Even after more than a century, elevated TNT levels have been detected in nearby water and sediment, suggesting that corroding ammunition may still release toxins. Across the North Sea, thousands of wrecks and former dumping grounds remain on the seabed. As metal casings slowly corrode, explosive substances can leak into the marine environment. Yet these wrecks have also become artificial reefs, now home to lobsters, crabs, fish, and sea anemones. Using robotic crawlers, researchers collect samples directly from wrecks like the Ariadne. Laboratory tests confirm traces of TNT in surrounding sediment and water. At the same time, survey ships continue mapping underwater hazards to keep shipping routes safe—an essential task as the seabed grows increasingly crowded with cables, pipelines, and offshore wind farms. #documentary #shipwreck #navalhistory #ocean #warhistory #balticsea #worldwar2 #ww2 #military #weltdocumentary Rennwagen auf Schienen: Was Ferrari und Italo Evo verbindet 📺 Watch more documentaries https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL-5sURDcN_Zl8hBqkvZ6uXFpP3t55HU9s 🔔 Subscribe to our full documentary channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBAeFXaLV1ZqKqc-Uf3pKaA?sub_confirmation=1