Groundwater contamination in France: A legacy of World War I

The present study was conducted to elucidate the connections of modern groundwater pollution to specific munitions materials used and destroyed during and after World War I (WWI).  Large quantities of unexploded munitions are still present in the tunnels and soils of former battlefields. We performed analyses of the isotopic compositions of nitroaromatics, nitrate, and perchlorate in samples of munition and contaminated groundwater collected at three sites along the WWI battlefront in northern France. The isotopic data from these samples indicates a direct connection between the groundwater contamination and the WWI munitions. Potential adverse effects on public health from munitions compounds in groundwater indicate an urgent need for further evaluation of the continuing presence of legacy WWI munitions and their contribution to chronic groundwater pollution in the region.