ALKOR AL628

Expedition AL628 focuses on assessing the environmental impact of underwater munitions in the Baltic Sea and advancing autonomous seafloor mapping technologies. The mission supports the research projects CONMAR-C (CO), MuniRisk (MR), and MMinE-SwEEPER (MSW) and is structured around three key objectives.
First, the expedition will investigate munition contamination using high-resolution sonar (MBES, SSS, SAS) to identify hotspots. Water, sediment, and marine fauna will be analyzed for explosive residues like TNT and RDX. Optical and magnetic surveys with ROVs and AUVs will support munition identification, while sediment sampling will refine strategies for detecting chemical warfare agents (CWA). Long-term monitoring in Lübeck Bay, including biomonitoring with mussel moorings, will continue.
Moreover, the team will enhance AUV autonomy for adaptive seafloor mapping. This includes integrating magnetic sensors, real-time sonar and optical analysis for object detection, and improving survey efficiency using multibeam and sidescan sonar.
Finally, the cruise will strengthen international cooperation by engaging scientists and authorities from Latvia, Estonia, Sweden, Germany, and Poland. Joint exercises and training sessions will address munition threats, handling of chemical incidents, and knowledge transfer to civil and military authorities.
Expedition AL628 aims to expand scientific knowledge on munition contamination, drive technological advancements in AUV-based mapping, and foster collaboration to mitigate environmental and security risks in the Baltic Sea.