In 1945 the Norwegian authorities gave permission to scuttle ships loaded with captured chemical ammunition in Skagerrak, 25 nautical miles south-east of Arendal. In 2002 four of the ships were investigated by Forsvarets forskningsinstitutt (FFI), on behalf of the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT).

Summary of observations from FFI:

• One wreck was in several parts, the others were intact     
• Aerial bombs (50–250 Kg) were observed in the holds and on the decks of the intact wrecks     
• Aerial bombs were observed outside the damaged wreck     
• Artillery shells were observed outside the wrecks     
• Fishing equipment were observed hung up on the wrecks     
• Abundant sea-life was observed     
• No chemical warfare agents or related compounds were identified in water samples

Conclusions from FFI:

• Four wrecks were inspected – little sign of corrosion     
• Some ammunition was corroded and the content lost     
• Sulphur mustard identified in one sample and degradation products in two additional samples. Sulphur mustard is degradable in sea water     
• Arsenic containing compounds in many samples. Arsenic is not degradable and could bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms. But the health risks associated with the current concentrations are low.     
• The nerve agent Tabun was not found in the samples, but could in a worst-case scenario affect a large amount of water

Recommendations from FFI:

• Don't try to bring the ammunition to the surface     
• Locate the missing wrecks – 21 wrecks might remain     
• Advise against trawling in the area     
• Investigate arsenic and chemical warfare degradation products in marine organisms     
• New wreck inspection within 10 years

SFT considers actions
SFT will before 15. December this year give our recommendations to the Norwegian Ministry of the Environment.

Read more:

• Investigation and risk assessment of ships loaded with chemical ammunition scuttled in Skagerrak (TA-1907/2002 - PDF-file 4316 kB)                         
• FFI: Summary (PDF-file 990 kB)     

For more information, please contact: 

• SFT: Head of section Vibeke Riis, Section for Water and Contaminated Sites
  Phone: +47 22 57 36 74, e-mail: vibeke.riis@klif.no               
• SFT: Senior Executive Officer Hilde B. Keilen, Section for Water and Contaminated Sites
  Phone: +47 22 57 34 58, e-mail: hilde-beate.keilen@klif.no               
• FFI: Director of research Bjørn A. Johnsen
  Phone: +47 63 80 75 02, e-mail:: bjorn-arne.johnsen@ffi.no