The oceans, which cover more than 70% of our planet’s surface, are often perceived as vast expanses of natural beauty and biodiversity. However, beneath this surface lie unseen dangers left over from past conflicts: war mines, submerged munitions, and the wrecks of ships sunk during the First and Second World Wars. Not only do these remnants of war represent risks to maritime safety, but they are also major sources of marine pollution, threatening underwater ecosystems and human life. Cleaning up these relics requires advanced technologies, and underwater imaging plays a crucial role in these clean-up and safety efforts.
The Challenges of Underwater War Remnants Clearance
War mines, submerged munitions and shipwrecks represent a multiple and complex threat. On the one hand, there is the immediate danger of potential explosions. On the other, there are the long-term environmental risks, as these objects can release toxic substances such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals and warfare chemicals into marine waters and sediments.
1. Warmines and submerged munitions
War mines and submerged munitions are often difficult to locate and identify. These explosive devices, strategically laid during conflicts to deny access or destroy enemy vessels, are designed to be concealed and weatherproof. Decades later, many of them remain active, representing a persistent threat to fishing vessels, pleasure craft and underwater operations. What’s more, these submerged munitions contain potentially toxic chemical components which, over time, can erode and contaminate marine ecosystems. Every year, over 2,000 munitions are detected, neutralized and destroyed by clearance divers, marine specialists and dedicated mine warfare drones. Yet these efforts represent only a fraction of the work that needs to be done. It is estimated that only 20% of World War II mines have been neutralized to date, leaving some 550,000 mines still active on the seabed. In France, it could take another century to completely clear the coastline of mines.
2. Shipwrecks
The wrecks of ships sunk during the world wars also pose major pollution problems. These wrecks, often loaded with fuel, munitions and chemicals, can corrode and release dangerous pollutants into the marine environment. Hydrocarbons leaking from the tanks of sunken ships create underwater oil slicks, threatening marine life and coastlines. Wrecks are also sites of interest to divers, increasing the risk of disturbance and accidental release of hazardous substances.
Wrecks also represent a danger in terms of explosives. Some sunken ships still contain unexploded torpedoes or mines. These underwater “time bombs” pose a potential risk of explosion if disturbed by fishing operations or underwater work.
The Importance of Imaging for Underwater Pollution Control
To meet these complex challenges, underwater imaging has become an essential tool for the detection, identification and neutralization of war mines, submerged munitions and shipwrecks. Advanced imaging technologies provide accurate data to guide clearance efforts, including the ability to identify submerged objects, even in low-visibility conditions or at great depths, by creating detailed images of the seabed. Once potentially hazardous objects have been detected, high-resolution underwater imagery enables them to be precisely identified. Technologies such as 3D photogrammetry can generate detailed models of the objects, enabling demining teams and scientists to assess the associated risks and plan the best intervention methods. This data helps minimize the risks to divers and underwater robots during clearance and recovery operations.
Technological advances and their application
Underwater imaging technologies continue to evolve, making underwater clean-up efforts more effective and safer. I2S contributes to this effort by developing innovative solutions to improve underwater visibility and reduce risks during inspections. Orphie technology, for example, is designed to offer better imaging quality in low-visibility conditions, such as turbid waters. The aim is to increase detection distance, enabling divers and underwater robots to work at a safer distance from dangerous objects, thus reducing the risk of accidents.
conclusion
Underwater clearance of war mines, submerged munitions and shipwrecks is a complex but crucial issue for maritime safety and environmental protection. Thanks to advances in underwater imaging, we now have more precise and effective tools for locating, identifying and neutralizing these hidden threats.
To mitigate these risks, international cooperation, supported by research initiatives and investment in innovative technologies, is crucial. Only coordinated action will ensure the safety of the world’s waters, while protecting marine ecosystems and future generations.