Surfers' sunscreen damages coral reef
Surfers have been presented with an awkward dilemma recently with the news that the sunblock they use to protect their skin could be damaging the natural habitat they use as their playground: A study has found that some of the products we use to save ourselves from skin cancer and burns are having an adverse effect on the world's coral reefs. The delicate fauna, which requires sunlight to convert into food, has been damaged in some areas popular with surfers, so how are they to protect themselves responsibly?
According to the study by 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 a good selection of sunscreens made from eco-friendly materials, check out our roundup of green sunscreens here.
[Via Nollie]
Many surfers dont wear sunscreen at all. Because sunscreen is so oily, and you have to first lay down on your board to paddle out, the sunscreen gets onto your board and you slip off when you try to stand. wetsuits all the way!
Posted by: Ariel | March 21, 2008 12:24 PM