Coral reef damage linked to sunscreen ingredients.
Interesting studies link coral reef damage to ingredients in sunscreen not climate change or global warming. I’ll list some interesting points for each study as a TLDR for you.
Study 1
2008-0400. "Bleached, but not by the sun: sunscreen linked to coral damage." https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/18414619/
“The researchers found that among the several brands of sunscreen tested, four commonly found ingredients—paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and camphor derivatives—can stimulate dormant viral infections in zooxanthellae. The sunscreen chemicals caused viruses within zooxanthellae to replicate until their algal hosts exploded, spilling viruses into the surrounding seawater, which could then spread infection to nearby coral communities. Coral bleaching occurred, often within a few hours, but always within 4 days, at sunscreen quantities as small as 10 μL/L. Controls remained healthy. The researchers estimate that approximately 10% of the world’s coral reefs are potentially threatened by sunscreen that washes off swimmers in reef waters. The study suggests that, as tourism continues to increase in tropical reef areas, the impact of sunscreens on coral bleaching could rise significantly in the future.”
Study 2
2018: "Dermatological and environmental toxicological impact of the sunscreen ingredient oxybenzone/benzophenone-3". https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29086472/ (The full text is paywalled.)
Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3) is an emerging human and environmental contaminant used in sunscreens and personal care products to help minimize the damaging effects of ultraviolet radiation. The Center for Disease Control fourth national report on human exposure to environmental chemicals demonstrated that approximately 97% of the people tested have oxybenzone present in their urine, and independent scientists have reported various concentrations in waterways and fish worldwide.
Environmentally, oxybenzone has been shown to produce a variety of toxic reactions in coral and fish ranging from reef bleaching to mortality.
A search for more.
Sunscreen linked to coral damage. Search: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=sunscreen+linked+to+coral+damage