Shipwrecks are time capsules of the past; however, they can also impact the present and future. As wooden sailing vessels faded from popularity, the use of powerful engines fueled steel and iron marine transportation. With their popularity came the additional environmental impacts of oil and fuel leaks when these ships sank. For instance, many shipwrecks resulting from WWII conflicts are still leaking today. Metal corrosion enhanced by saltwater, along with the remaining fuel reserves, place the management of these sites at the top of research studies and impact planning.

One example found in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, is USS Arizona which is leaking oil from the lower decks. Oil rises from the ship causing an oil sheen that can be seen from the Memorial that sits on top of the site. The National Park Service is responsible for the stewardship and resource management of USS Arizona, which includes the current and long term environmental assessments and mitigations. Given the historical significance of USS Arizona, experts from across the country have been working diligently on this issue. More details can be found here.