Everyone knows that sunscreen is a surfer's best friend when it comes to defending our skin against the sun's increasingly harmful rays. But, while the more we 'slip, slap and slop' (as the Aussies say) to save ourselves from skin cancer and more, the world's coral reefs are being adversely affected by those same chemicals that protect us Homo Sapiens, says a study by scientists in Italy.
Apparently, according to a study at the Polytechnic University of Marche, sunscreen affects the algae Zooxanthellae which lives inside reef-building coral species, and provides the coral with food via photosynthesis, plus it's bright colour. Sunscreen can awaken dormant viruses found inside the Zooxanthellae algae, which then replicate at such a high rate that the algae host explodes - spilling virus into the neighbouring seawater to infect further coral reefs in the area. Without this algae the Coral species then 'bleaches' and dies.
However, before you stop slathering on your Factor 20, other research groups have questioned the research - suggesting natural dilution and water circulation wasn't taken into account, as well as other local human factors, like coastal pollution, over fishing and habitat destruction were all not considered.
But with coral reefs being such a delicate natural community - where every species lives in symbiosis with another, and the natural reason behind many of the earth's most stunning waves, reef friendly sunblock should still be considered such as those with eco-friendly chemical ingredients and with physical filters that reflect, rather than absorb, ultraviolet radiation.
For more on the research log on to nationalgeographic.com.
[via GlobalSurfNews.com]
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