On top of the many things trying to kill ocean coral, we can add sunscreen to the list. One modern issue with sunscreen is the ingredients within it. And while you’re probably thinking it’s just a little what’s the issue? It’s actually a big issue because an estimated 14,000 tons of sunscreen is believed to be introduced into the ocean yearly. This causes severe damage to coral reefs in places like Hawaii and the Caribbean. There are two types of sunscreen the mineral kind and the chemical kind, these chemical screens contain things like oxybenzone, a synthetic chemical known to be toxic to corals, algae, sea urchins, fish and mammals. A single drop of this in more than 4 million gallons of water is enough to endanger organisms. Another chemical that is harmful to coral is Parabens such as methyl paraben and butyl paraben. These are fungicides and anti-bacterial agents that extend the shelf life of a product.
This relates to the course because coral is a keystone species, this means it is needed within the ecosystem to keep a balance. Coral protects coastlines from the damaging effects of waves and tropical storms. They also protect the shoreline from erosion, as well as protecting coastal housing. It also provides habitats and shelter for many marine organisms. These habitats are home to hundreds of species within the ocean.
This is a very pressing and important issue, one that could be fixed easily by the general public by just looking for a coral safe logo on the sunscreen. Another option that is suggested is to plan around the sun by doing activities in the morning or afternoon. Or to even put on extra clothes on like hats or use an umbrella. These are all options that can have a major effect on the environment. With just one change we can help out the coral reefs greatly.
I am doing my article presentation on coral reefs, so this was very interesting and important for me to read. I had no idea sunscreen was an issue when it came to coral reefs, however it is a huge issue and is ruining coral reefs everywhere. The article says it is a preventable occurrence, and I wish people would look at this issue and change their habits, however just like me, many people are not aware of this problem and more awareness should be spread so the problem can be fixed.
ReplyDeleteI found this article very interesting. As we learned in our class, coral reefs are essential to the ecosystem. As human, we need to aware of chemicals we expose to the environment. More awareness of this issue is will help he cause.
ReplyDeleteThis article fascinated me. When we learned about coral reefs in class, I was honestly stunned at how bad things have been getting. What worries me the most is that so many different forms of sea life call these coral reefs home. If they are no longer viable places for life to thrive, I would be very concerned about how long many of these species might exist for. Great piece, it definitely taught me more than I already knew about this issue.
ReplyDeleteI truly believe this is a huge issue due to the fact that so many people use sunscreen but clearly do not know its detrimental effects. I like how you broke down the different types of sunscreen, and their individual effects on sea life.
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