Can seafood from marine sites of dumped World War relicts be eaten?

Since World War I, considerable amounts of warfare materials have been dumped at seas worldwide. After more than 70 years of resting on the seabed, reports suggest that the metal shells of these munitions are corroding, such that explosive chemicals leak out and distribute in the marine environment. Explosives such as TNT (2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) and its derivatives are known for their toxicity and carcinogenicity, thereby posing a threat to the marine environment. Toxicity studies suggest that chemical components of munitions are unlikely to cause acute toxicity to marine organisms. However, there is increasing evidence that they can have sublethal and chronic effects in aquatic biota, especially in organisms that live directly on the sea floor or in subsurface substrates. Moreover, munition-dumping sites could serve as nursery habitats for young biota species, demanding special emphasis on all kinds of developing juvenile marine animals. Unfortunately, these chemicals may also enter the marine food chain and directly affect human health upon consuming contaminated seafood. While uptake and accumulation of toxic munition compounds in marine seafood species such as mussels and fish have already been shown, a reliable risk assessment for the human seafood consumer and the marine ecosphere is lacking and has not been performed until now. In this review, we compile the first data and landmarks for a reliable risk assessment for humans who consume seafood contaminated with munition compounds. We hereby follow the general guidelines for a toxicological risk assessment of food as suggested by authorities.

Ground vibration generated by hydraulic rock breakers and its impact on the safety of nearby earthfill dam in a graphite mine

A detailed impact analysis on the effects of non-explosive chemicals and hydraulic rock breakers at a graphite mine in India close to an irrigation dam was carried out in this study. The dam was 70 m away from the mining lease boundary. When a single hydraulic rock breaker worked on fractured rock mass, the magnitude of ground vibration recorded at 10 m on the same working bench was 2.37 mm/s but, when it worked on fresh rock surface, the ground vibration at 9 m on the same working bench was 4.67 mm/s. Beyond 35 m on the same bench, no ground vibrations were recorded. Ground vibrations generated by three jack hammer drilling machines operating simultaneously on the same working bench was less than 0.5 mm/s when measured at 7.2 m distance. The combined effect on the magnitudes of ground vibrations by two hydraulic rock breakers operating simultaneously on the same bench 6 m apart was found to be negligible. The ground vibrations generated by hydraulic rock breakers and other mining activities were found to be lower than required to cause any structural damage or threat to the stability to the dam.

World War II Munitions as a source of Mercury to the Southwest Baltic Sea

<p>The Second World War (WWII) resulted in many humanitarian, cultural and environmental impacts throughout Europe and the world. During WWII anti-aircraft ammunition was used extensively in the Baltic Sea region, and the legacy of WWII munitions are present throughout the area. For example, up to 1.5 million anti-aircraft grenades were shot down in a 10 km<sup>2</sup> region along the Dänisch-Nienhof (DN) training center of northern Germany near Kiel. Anti-aircraft grenades contain toxic explosive chemicals such as trinitrotoluene (TNT) and mercury fulminate. It has been estimated that the detonation of WWII bombs released up to 2 tons of mercury (Hg) species into the coastal environment of Germany in the surrounding Kiel area. The DN and greater Kiel Bay (KB) region additionally have non-detonated and partial bombs which could also yield a critical source of Hg to the area. Until now very little research has been done into how much of this Hg might be stored in the sediment, or moving through the waters and food chains of the region.</p><p>Water, sediment and plankton samples were collected from around DN and KB in order to quantify and investigate potential impacts and magnitudes of Hg contamination from munition sites and bombs. These Hg levels are compared to available TNT values, and other potential munition-sourced pollutants. Water samples were collected using ‘trace metal clean’ techniques at surface and depth for each station. Plankton samples were gathered at each water station using a vertically towed net in order to assess Hg in the lower food chain. While sediment samples were carefully collected from stations surrounding the KB bomb dumps. These results provide an initial assessment into how much of an impact Hg sourced from anti-aircraft munitions might have on the environment and food chain health within the southern Baltic and KB region.</p>

A Review on Biodegradation and Biotransformation of Explosive Chemicals

Military training activities as well as manufacturing and decommissioning operations, lead to the generation of large quantities of explosive chemicals. Detonation and disposal of these explosive chemicals contaminate soil and ground water, thus posing a threat to living organisms and natural resources. The most commonly used explosives in artillery shells, bombs, grenades and other munitions are 2,4,6-Trinitrotoluene (TNT), Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) and Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX). Due to their recalcitrant nature, toxicity and persistence in the environment, the study of their biodegradation and biotransformation is paramount. This paper reviews the chemistry, fate, degradation and transformation of this explosive chemicals in the natural environment. Emphasis is placed on TNT, RDX and HMX. This review will help scientists to adopt strategies and develop optimum biological treatment scheme for the in situ bioremediation of explosives-contaminated soil especially at firing/impact ranges.