What marine life thrives on unexploded WWII munitions?

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Marine Life Flourishes on Unexploded Nazi Munitions in German Bay

An astonishing array of marine life, including starfishes, marine worms, fish, crabs, and hydroids, has been discovered thriving on unexploded Nazi-era cruise missiles found in Luebeck Bay, Germany. This finding underscores the resilience of life in seemingly toxic environments and highlights a unique ecological niche formed on submerged ordnance.
Abundant Life on Submerged Ordnance

Submersible explorations in Luebeck Bay revealed ten Nazi-era cruise missiles resting on the seafloor. These munitions, remnants of World War II, are now densely populated with marine organisms, with researchers documenting approximately 40,000 animals per square meter. The majority of these are marine worms, but the survey also identified three species of fish, a crab, sea anemones, hydroids, and numerous starfishes.
Adaptation to Toxic Environments

While most marine creatures were observed to avoid the explosive material, a notable exception was over 40 starfishes seen aggregated on an exposed section of TNT. Researchers theorise this behaviour might be linked to feeding on bacterial film that has formed on the corroding explosive. This phenomenon draws parallels to other instances where life adapts to hazardous areas, such as the wildlife observed near the Chernobyl disaster site.
Scarcity of Hard Surfaces Drives Colonisation

The unexploded bombs offer crucial hard surfaces in an environment that is otherwise dominated by mud and sand. Historically, large boulders in the Baltic Sea served a similar purpose for marine life before their removal for infrastructure development in the early 20th century. The presence of these munitions has inadvertently created a substitute habitat, supporting a diverse community of organisms that rely on stable structures for survival and reproduction.
Future Considerations for Habitat Preservation

Given that these munitions will eventually be cleared, researchers propose the placement of artificial structures, such as stones or concrete, to ensure the continued support of the established marine ecosystem. This proactive measure aims to maintain the biodiversity that has unexpectedly colonised these historical weapons, preventing a loss of habitat once the bombs are removed.

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What marine life thrives on unexploded WWII munitions?

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