Historical shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea can pose long-term environmental risks due to fuel, munitions and other hazardous substances. Understanding how these contaminants are released and transported is essential for effective risk assessment and remediation.
On 1 September 2026, during a dedicated session on environmental hazards associated with shipwrecks at the 14th Wdzydzeanum Conference on Fluid–Solid Interactions, researchers from the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IMP PAN) presented four complementary studies focusing on submerged shipwreck degradation and pollution, with particular attention to fuel migration near the s/s Stuttgart.
Key research highlights:
- Baltwreck Project – Developing standardised approaches for assessing the environmental risks associated with the estimated 20,000 shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea, including diagnostics, decision-support tools, remediation and ecotoxicological assessment.
- “Triple Barrier System” & Bioremediation – Investigating a three-stage remediation approach for the contaminated area around the s/s Stuttgart, combining fuel recovery, geomembrane isolation and active capping with sorptive materials.
- CFD Modelling of HFO Dispersion – Modelling the transport of heavy fuel oil above the seabed and its migration into porous sediments under different hydrodynamic conditions.
- Probabilistic PAH Transport Modelling – Simulating the transport and biodegradation of selected contaminants to better understand their movement through marine sediments and support environmental risk assessment.
Together, these studies show how numerical modelling, geophysical investigations and innovative remediation technologies can contribute to better understanding and management of pollution risks associated with shipwrecks.
Through research and practical solutions, Baltwreck contributes to the protection of the Baltic Sea and its marine environment.
