Large Dumping Ground Of WWII-Era Weapons Found Off Los Angeles Coast

A large-scale dump of World War II-era military equipment, including smoke detectors and anti-submarine explosives, was unexpectedly found by marine scientists performing an underwater survey off the coast of Southern California. The weapons on the ocean below in ragged lines spanning more than a mile were recognised as Mark 1 smoke floats, Hedgehog and Mark 9 depth charges. The finding expands upon a survey conducted in 2021 that found thousands of barrel-shaped items in the same region.

According to the U.S. Navy, the results are probably due to disposal procedures used during World War II, when weapons were authorised for sea disposal to provide secure disposal for naval ships returning to American ports.

The present challenge is determining these weapons’ possible harm to the environment and public health. The public’s curiosity about the legacy of ocean dumping off the coast of Southern California is growing, as seen by this disclosure. The amount of DDT waste that has been in the news lately, up to 500,000 barrels missing from the deep ocean, has encouraged more research into the degree of environmental contamination. Congress appropriated more than $11 million, and Governor Gavin Newsom added $5.6 million to support studies on DDT-related problems.

With nearly 100 square miles of contamination from the dumpsite—including substantial amounts of DDT at previously unknown depths—the extent of the pollution is becoming increasingly evident. The history of dumping toxic waste and the recently discovered weapons give rise to worries about the broader environmental consequences. The U.S. Navy Supervisor of Salvage and researchers from UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography are working together to map the seafloor, helping to shed light on the scope of past ocean dumping and its possible effects.

Researchers stress the need to tackle less visible pollution, such as chemical waste, even though the military trash found adds dimension to the ongoing environmental challenges. To thoroughly examine the effects of decades-long dumping practices, an interdisciplinary study covering microbiology, chemistry, geology, and oceanography is made possible by the high-resolution photography from the most recent trip, which is essential in helping scientists comprehend the seabed conditions.

Reference: LATimes

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