A group of Carleton University postgraduate scholars recently utilized drones to detect magnetic signals associated with unexploded bombs in the Mer Bleue Bog, which served as a practice bombing range during World War II. Pablo Arzate and Sareh Mirbagheri, the graduate students, employed magnetometers affixed to drones to examine a portion of the bog, a 3,500-hectare conservation area in Ottawa’s eastern region managed by the National Capital Commission.
The site mainly comprises peat bog and was actively used as a bombing range from 1942 to 1945. Although the Department of National Defence (DND) is aware of the drop locations of the bombs, the actual quantity remains unknown. Following a drone survey of a small section, the students identified over 17 unexploded ordnances (UXOs) in a specific zone.
Mirbagheri remarked on the intriguing findings, stating, “It was really interesting for all of us to see that result in just the small part that we were exploring.” Arzate added, “Our technology doesn’t explicitly identify bombs or airplanes, but it indicates the presence of objects underground. The history of this area and the geological features suggest that it is filled with bombs, either exploded or unexploded.”
Although not directly involved in the project, a DND spokesperson expressed appreciation for innovative approaches in unexploded bomb removal. In 1960, a bomb disposal team was assigned to clear the range but faced challenges due to the terrain’s nature, resulting in the bog never being officially declared free of explosives. The land ownership was transferred to the NCC in 1965.
Arzate highlighted the project’s drone flights over the survey area, lasting five hours daily for four days. He emphasized that the drones’ ability to detect non-organic objects in the unique bog terrain was crucial for the operation’s success. The team’s use of drones was particularly advantageous as it allowed for non-invasive surveying without disturbing the site or necessitating heavy equipment.
Intending to leverage the aerial surveying technology for mining and resource extraction, Arzate emphasized its potential application in various fields, including defense and land remediation. He underscored the significance of using such technology for humanitarian causes, such as clearing minefields and unexploded ordnances. Despite the low risk of human exposure to the explosives in the bog areas, DND spokesperson Andrée-Anne Poulin mentioned that there are no immediate plans to remove the unexploded bombs unless the land undergoes redevelopment, as long as the area remains designated as parkland.