The Lotion in the Ocean

Sunscreen-slathered swimmers contributing to coral bleaching, says study

Posted at 1:37 PM on 13 Feb 2008

Photo: iStockphoto

Up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen wash off of ocean swimmers each year, posing a threat to up to 10 percent of global coral reefs, according to a new study in the journal Environmental Health Perspectives. Four common sunscreen chemicals can awaken dormant viruses in coral-dwelling algae, with results of horror-movie proportions: the viruses replicate to the point that the algae explode, spilling the viruses into surrounding seawater and infecting neighboring coral populations. The algae, called zooxanthellae, provide coral with food energy and contribute to reefs' bright colors; without zooxanthellae, the coral bleach and die. So burn, baby, burn -- or, better yet, seek out a nontoxic sun lotion.

source: National Geographic News
see also, in Grist: Coral reefs suffer from proximity to humans, says study
see also, in Grist: A reef-protection crusader answers questions

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Comments: (5 comments)

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The prophetic words of Garrett Hardin-

"you can't do just one thing"... or was it Barry Commoner?...

by tidal at 3:59 PM on 13 Feb 2008

This is hard to believe.

What is 6,000 tons of sunscreen divided by all the water in the seven oceans? Is that ppm calculation even detectable?

Stay positive, love your life.

by KevinMichael at 10:12 PM on 13 Feb 2008

Non-Toxic Sunscreen?

I don't know that there is a non-toxic sunscreen. A company called Badger from Vermont(?) makes a sunscreen that Environmental Working Group rates No. 1 for least health hazard and best protection. http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/browse.php?sunscreens=1& ...

However, even this sunscreen contains micronized zinc oxide, which is persistent and bioaccumulative in wildlife, seems to have broad systemic effects at moderate doses, and may be ecotoxic.

A better idea would be to slowly get used to the sun and tan naturally, eschewing sunscreen altogether.

by Wolverine at 10:32 PM on 13 Feb 2008

Just wear a t-shirt...

...do it all the time when I snorkel.

by Tasermons Partner at 11:38 PM on 13 Feb 2008

In response to Kevin

It's not a question of diluting the sunscreen across the oceans, which I agree would a ridiculously small number.

Contrary to popular belief, oceans do not circulate quickly, nor do pollutants instantly disperse.

So, if swimmers are playing near corals, they will receive a higher dose due to proximity.

I have to wonder, though, if this is because of misapplication of sunscreen. Shouldn't swimmers wait 10-20 minutes to allow the stuff to absorb into the skin before getting into the water anyway?

If you continue to do what you've always done you'll continue to get what you've always got. - Yogi Berra

by Matt at 5:11 AM on 14 Feb 2008

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