The research vessel RV ALKOR set sail from Kiel on March 14. The expedition aims to investigate shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea in terms of environmental risks, particularly fuel leaks and hazardous substances originating from munitions.
Yesterday, the vessel called at the port of Klaipėda, where a meeting was held on board with representatives of Lithuanian institutions responsible for marine environmental protection. It was an opportunity to present the project’s objectives, the scope of ongoing research, and to exchange experiences
As part of the cruise, detailed work is being carried out, including seabed mapping, the use of underwater vehicles (AUVs and ROVs), as well as sampling of water, sediments, and marine organisms. Some analyses are conducted on board in real time, enabling rapid assessment of the extent of contamination. In the next stages of the expedition, further investigations of wrecks in Polish and Lithuanian waters are planned, including objects containing fuel and hazardous materials. The collected data will support environmental risk assessment and the development of effective monitoring and management methods for such sites in the Baltic Sea region.
Photo by Jolanta Olszewska
