On a hot sunny day in the summer, humans want to lather up with sunscreen and lay in the sun. Once we get hot, we go into the water to cool off. All of our sunscreen usually rubs off in the water, so once we get out we need to reapply. All of this sunscreen that rubs off in the ocean, and the sunscreen that washes off our body in the shower actually end up killing the coral reefs in the ocean and eventually killing off the wildlife.

Most sunscreens contain a chemical UV filter called oxybenzone. It protects the skin from the rays of the un and prevents sunburn. However, this chemical also bleaches coral reefs, making them not functionable for the dependent organisms, but it can also harm the organisms themselves. This theory was supported by a recent study where scientists monitored the effect that oxybenzone had on the life of planula. Planula were collected from the wild and placed in artificial sea water. There were 4 different time periods that these planula were placed in the sea water, along with different concentrations of oxybenzone. They were exposed for 8 hours in light, 8 in dark, one full day, and 24 hours in the dark. It was found that after all time periods, there had been negative changes in the planulae. The figure below shows the changes that occurred during the different time periods and at different concentrations of oxybenzone. Figure A is the control planula. It has a cucumber-like shape, and although it is not visible, it has cilia that keeps it in constant motion. This planula was exposed for 8 hours in light. Figure B shows a planula also exposed for 8 hours in light, but also to 22.8 parts per billion of oxybenzone. Already it is noticeable that the oxybenzone transformed the planula from a long shaped figure to a round, circle shaped figure. It was also observed that this planula started to experience bleaching of the epidermis and reduced cilia movement. Bleaching is the loss of structure of the planula as well as the loss of pigments used in photosynthesis. Figure C and D were also exposed for 8 hours in the light, except C was in 228 parts per billion oxybenzone, while D was 2.28 parts per million. In C, the amount of brown spots decreased from B, which shows that the epidermis is continuing to be bleached by the oxybenzone. The brown spots are significant for the occurrence of photosynthesis. The shape also changed to a thumbprint shape. D shows even more bleaching and white/transparent color, along with decreased brown spots and more of a circle shape. At this point, there is very low cilia movement and a very transparent color of the planula. Figure E shows planula exposed for 8 hours in the light in 28.8 parts per million. This final trial shows an almost complete loss of brown spots on the specimen, which gives the planula a very strong transparent and opaque look, making it almost invisible. The shape of the planula has also gone from a ciliated, cucumber shaped specimen to a very round, and bare figure. These results show that oxybenzone has a deteriorating effect on planula and other organisms as well.
The toxic effects that oxybenzone has on the planula as shown in the study represents the overall effect it has on organisms and their development. When the oxybenzone reaches the coral reefs, it has the same effect as it has on the planula. Oxybenzone toxicity damages the endocrine system in the organism, causes death to occur in the coral, and harms the DNA of the organisms dependent on the reefs. It bleaches the reef white, making it non accessible to the organisms that depend on it, and the oxybenzone also deprives the reefs of their essential nutrients. This eventually not only kills the coral reefs, but also the ocean wildlife as well. According to the U.S National Park Service, “somewhere between 4,000 and 6,000 tons of sunscreen enters coral reefs around the world each year.” This statistic shows how detrimental sunscreen is on the wildlife in the ocean. Craig Downs, one of the authors from the study above, stated that because of this increase in sunscreen entering the water, about 80% of coral reefs have been lost.

Although it may seem minor, this problem is very severe because eventually it affects humans. A damage to the coral reefs and wildlife that depend on it cause a decrease in the amount of rescues (food) available for humans. Even though we cannot prevent humans from wearing sunscreen or going in the ocean, we can help limit the amount that goes into the water. We can promote the usage of sunscreens that do not contain this toxic chemical, such as Badger Sunscreen, Tru Kid Sunny Days, Soleo Organics, UV Natural, California Baby, and many more. Sunscreens like Coppertone, Haiwan Tropic, Neutrogena, Aveeno, Banana Boat, and No-Ad contain oxybenzone therefore when used will have a harming effect on the ocean wildlife. There are other ways, such as enforcing people to wipe off their sunscreen before they enter the water or before they shower to reduce the amount that gets into the water, but this can cause harm to the human themselves, making them more prone to get sunburnt. So the question of whether our lives or the coral reefs are more important.

It is hard to completely prevent sunscreen from entering the water, but there are ways that humans can take caution when it comes to how much sunscreen damages the coral reefs. Eventually, the damaging of the coral reefs will affect us as humans, so taking action now would help humans and ocean wildlife survive from this toxic chemical.