Assessing Potentially Polluting Wrecks in US Waters
Dublin Core
Title
Assessing Potentially Polluting Wrecks in US Waters
Description
The topic of this abstract fits within this session on threats to underwater cultural heritage (UCH) because of the
environmental risk posed by shipwrecks with petroleum cargoes. While many shipwrecks from the World Wars
are important parts of our cultural heritage, they also pose a significant threat to the marine and coastal
environment as the steel hulls containing their cargoes continue to corrode. A vital limiting factor in addressing
such pollution risks is that many of these wrecks lie in deep water and have yet to be located. Surveys to find
these wrecks, followed by assessment and management are required to prevent or minimize the adverse impacts
to our ocean heritage. Recent work using satellite detection of oil slicks has assisted in locating certain oil tanker
shipwrecks in deep water.
environmental risk posed by shipwrecks with petroleum cargoes. While many shipwrecks from the World Wars
are important parts of our cultural heritage, they also pose a significant threat to the marine and coastal
environment as the steel hulls containing their cargoes continue to corrode. A vital limiting factor in addressing
such pollution risks is that many of these wrecks lie in deep water and have yet to be located. Surveys to find
these wrecks, followed by assessment and management are required to prevent or minimize the adverse impacts
to our ocean heritage. Recent work using satellite detection of oil slicks has assisted in locating certain oil tanker
shipwrecks in deep water.
Creator
Michael L. Brennan
Publisher
The Museum of Underwater Archaeology
Date
2023
Language
English
Bibliographic Citation
Brennan, Michael L.. 2023. “Assessing Potentially Polluting Wrecks in US Waters.” Edited by Jennifer Craig, Jay Mok, T. Kurt Knoerl, and Ole Varmer. In Proceedings of Fifth Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage: Gwangju, The Republic of Korea, November 13-18 2023. The Museum of Underwater Archaeology. URL: https://apconf.omeka.net/exhibits/show/apconfproceedings/item/1902
Files
Citation
Michael L. Brennan, “Assessing Potentially Polluting Wrecks in US Waters,” Asia Pacific Regional Conference on Underwater Cultural Heritage Proceedings, accessed January 15, 2026, https://apconf.omeka.net/items/show/1902.