They were a true blast from the past.
World War II-era weapons, including anti-submarine weapons and smoke generators, have been discovered at an underwater dumpsite off the coast of Los Angeles, marine researchers announced Friday.
The munitions were first discovered in April when a deep-sea probe equipped with sonar and video cameras surveyed the area, Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego, which led the investigation, said in an email.
The area was known as a government-sanctioned industrial and chemical waste dump from the 1930s until 1972. Marine Protection, Research and Protection ActA law, also known as the Ocean Dumping Act, was enacted.
2021 Scripps Sonar Survey Using an underwater drone, researchers discovered more than 25,000 “barrel-like objects” on the ocean floor off the Southern California coast near Catalina Island.
Objects may contain An insecticide called DDT The chemical, which was banned in 1972, and other toxic chemicals have been detected in marine mammals in the region and have been linked to cancer in sea lions.
The Navy's review will determine “the best path forward to ensure risks to human health and the environment are appropriately managed,” the military branch said.
with post wire
