What Your Sunscreen Could Be Doing to the Ocean

When you head to a tropical destination to go scuba diving, you might think you’re doing the right thing and being a responsible tourist by slathering yourself in sunscreen throughout the day. After all, it’s important to prevent burns that can increase the risk of skin cancer, right?

However, what you might not realize is the impact your sunscreen is having on the coral reef and the marine life beneath the ocean. The active ingredients that protect your skin from the sun, are also harmful to coral. Not only can these chemicals damage the coral reef, they will also be absorbed by all underwater life.

Dr. Craig A. Downs, Ph.D. told Travel & Leisure magazine about a working visit he took to the Bahamas, where he commented on the coconut flavor of the local fish they were dining on.

However, when he asked the chef about the preparation, he explained that the fish was cooked with only salt. The coconut was a residual chemical fragrance from sunscreen, which had accumulated within the local fish. Yikes!

What Does Sunscreen Do To Coral and Marine Life?

The harmful ingredient is oxybenzone, which is found in most sunscreen brands. It is toxic to the algae that live within coral reefs and are essential to their health.

According to a 2008 European study, this chemical promotes infections within the coral which can lead to bleaching. Another study, by a group of international scientists, concluded that oxybenzone was “highly toxic” to developing corals and other marine life.

It disrupts reproduction and growth, which leaves young corals fatally deformed. The coral larvae becomes so deformed that it encloses itself in its own skeleton, which becomes its coffin.

While coral reefs all over the world are affected by this, it is the popular travel destination spots that are most at-risk. This includes the Great Barrier Reef, Hawaii, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Israel.

Lawmakers in Hawaii have already banned the sale of any sunscreens that contain these chemicals. They are on the cutting edge by doing this, but they hope it will make a difference in protecting the reef for years to come.

How Can You Be a Responsible Tourist When Snorkeling?

If you plan on swimming near coral reefs during your travels, here are some tips to keep in mind.

• Avoid any sunscreens which contain zinc oxide or titanium oxide.
• Some brands have started to sell “reef friendly” sunscreen, but there is very little regulation over these claims. Look for sunscreen that bears the Protect Land + Sea Certification Seal, which ensures that it doesn’t contain any ingredients that could be harmful environmental pollutants.
• Clothing is just as effective as sunscreen, so consider wearing a long sleeve shirt when snorkeling rather than using sunscreen.
• Don’t use aerosol cans, as the spray mostly falls on the sand where it can be washed into sea turtle nests.

 

Just by switching your sunscreen, you can do your part to help protect coral reefs and keep our oceans healthier.