Gruinard Island

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Gruinard Island
Gruinard Island
Gruinard Island
Waters Gruinard Bay ( Atlantic Ocean )
Geographical location 57 ° 53 '36 "  N , 5 ° 28' 0"  W Coordinates: 57 ° 53 '36 "  N , 5 ° 28' 0"  W.
Gruinard Island (Scotland)
Gruinard Island
length 2 km
width 1 km
surface 1.96 km²
Highest elevation On Eilid
106  m
Residents uninhabited

Gruinard Iceland ( / ⁠ ɡɾɪnjəɾd ⁠ / ) is an island about one kilometer off the north west coast of the Scottish mainland in the Atlantic Ocean lies. It extends about two kilometers in north-south and one kilometer in east-west (largest extension). The island is located near the Summer Isles , halfway between Gairloch and Ullapool .

history

The island gained fame through experiments with anthrax germs ( Operation Vegetarian ), which were carried out on behalf of the British War Office during the Second World War . From July 1942 to August 1943, a total of about 80 sheep were exposed to the pathogen from which they died.

After the tests were completed, it was found that the pathogen's spores had penetrated the soil and permanently contaminated it. The island was subsequently declared a restricted area. Soil samples were taken annually, but their examination did not reveal any significant decrease in contamination. It was not until 1978 that studies were carried out to decontaminate the island.

In 1986, following pressure from the public, decontamination began. After the vegetation in the contaminated areas had been destroyed with herbicides and burned off, a total of 280 tons of formaldehyde dissolved in 2000 tons of seawater were discharged into the soil over a period of three months (June to August 1986). Some isolated areas were treated in July 1987. The subsequent investigations officially confirmed the success of the disinfection; a flock of sheep subsequently brought to the island remained healthy. However, there are also voices who doubt that the anthrax pathogen will be completely destroyed.

In a media effective ceremony, the island was declared habitable again on April 24, 1990 by a representative of the British Ministry of Defense and returned to the heirs of the original owners on May 1 of the same year.

Web links

Commons : Gruinard Island  - collection of pictures, videos and audio files