Long Term Pollution From WWII Shipwreck

(cnn.com) -The V-1302 John Mahn was attacked by the British Royal Air Force on February 12, 1942 off the Belgian coast. The ship was being used by the Germans as a patrol boat when sunk by the Royal Air Force. The 11 crew on board were all lost at sea and the ship’s cargo of munitions and coal reserves sank to the bottom of the sea.
Researchers have collected samples of the ship’s hull as well as the surrounding area. They have found an abundance of heavy metals such as nickel and copper as well as explosive compounds. Petroleum products from the explosives are known to impact the growth, reproduction and tissues of marine organisms. Read more.