Loading ...Yes, we have been a bit too quiet here at the Fragd.it blog. We confess, we have been very busy with our online store. But rest assured that we will still bring you amazing stories and exciting reefkeeping ideas on your screen.
As well, we thank our loyal readers for bringing up cool and informative stories to our attention. (Such as this one, thank you Dennis).
A National Geographic article suggests that a study has been completed on how sunscreen can trigger a virus that can ultimately kill a coral. Apparently, the chemicals in your sunscreen can cause a virus to replicate at a rapid level, and thus quickly killing the coral. Please check your sunscreen bottles, and be mindful of these ingredients:
Several brands of popular sunscreens were tested and all had four ingredients in common: paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and a camphor derivative.
As well, this article explained that in terms of the amount of sunscreen being diluted into the oceans:
The researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 percent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.
For the rest of the article, please click on here.
What can you do? Look for biodegradable sunscreenat your local health food store. Don’t cheap out on the health of our oceans and corals. You can make a simple change, and help not spead this virus.
Trained by the thirteenth ring master of the Sian Xiuang Coral Temple. Currently is apprenticing the art of Acropora shaping in the ancient tradition of Ninja Fragging. Known as the SPS hero!
The study was done in 2008 and misrepresented the subject title by implying it related to impacts in the field. What they did was place corals in 2L bags, added sunscreen and held them there. Not anything close to what would happen out in the ocean. The results have been pretty much dismissed as invalid. At best, “potential” can be
claimed, but nothing more without some evidence of actual impacts in
open water.
Thats really not the point of the article, IMO. It was just trying to raise awareness that certain products outthere do have harmful ingredients. Regardless how they tried to prove a point, there are substances that have a negative impact on the water quality.
Like I suggested at the end, use biodegratable products. Simple as that.