Annika Satoskar- Sunscreen Pollution
When at the beach, you need three things: some friends, a ball, and sunscreen. Sunscreen protects us from the sun’s harmful UV radiation. Despite our parents telling us to lather up on sunscreen before hitting the beach, sunscreen causes more damage than good. Sunscreen is a harmful pollutant to the ocean environment.
When we think of marine pollution, we imaging visible plastic garbage, fertilizer runoff, or sewage. Sadly, the extent of this pollution is far worse than the material people can see. Marine pollution goes down to the microscopic elements that affect sea life.
According to the National Park Service, more than 6000 tons of sunscreen enter reef areas each year. Sunscreen is made up of wither oxybenzone, avobenzone, titanium dioxide, or iron dioxide which could wash of into our water. Sunscreen enters oceans and aquatic environments one of two ways: washing of from recreational activities such as swimming, or indirectly from wastewater treatment plants after it has been washed of at home.
The effects of sunscreen in the water kill both fish and plants. A study done in German lakes has found that concentrations of sunscreen is higher in fish than in the actual water. This is bad because the particles of sunscreen build up inside their bodies faster than the fish can excrete. The toxins in the sunscreen will eventually cause the fish to die. Another study has also been conducted which shows that areas with higher sunscreen input, suffer from a greater amount of coral bleaching. Through all this extensive research, it is shown that the most damage occurs in heavily tourist populated areas. Sunscreens effect on marine systems is detrimental.
Sunscreen agents affect aquatic environments across the world. These agents are linked to coral bleaching and harming sea life. There are currently sunscreen products being tested that are environmentally friendly and can reduce environmental impacts. Another way is to cut back on the sunscreen. Only apply it to where your skin is exposed, or just wear sun clothes which cover more body area from the sun to reduce the amount of sunscreen used.
Questions:
What are some actions countries could take to prevent the destruction of marine tourist destination?
What can be done by tourists to reduce sunscreen pollution?
How will reducing sunscreen pollution affect marine life?
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