Surf-Sol by Camille Daily Replenishing SPF 30+ Chemical Free and Waterproof Sunblock

Sunscreen's Impact on Coral Reefs

Coral reefs are an extremely important part of our environment; they contain biodiversity unlike any other ecosystem in the world. The millions of unusual animal and plant species living in coral reefs would not be able to survive without their coral habitats. And, as the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration explains, coral reefs are our “medicine cabinet of the 21 st century,” as they will likely yield important new discoveries and help cure diseases. If you’re still in doubt about the importance of coral, reefs protect coastal areas from storms and erosion, and even remove and recycle excess carbon.

But, these amazing ecosystems are increasingly threatened. A study published in the Journal of Environmental Health Perspectives found that by promoting viral infection, sunscreens potentially play an important role in coral bleaching. It is estimated that up to 6,000 tons of sunscreen is released annually by tourists in reef areas, and because sunscreens are often petroleum based, they don’t biodegrade.

When chemicals in sunscreen come in contact with reefs, the coral becomes stressed, pushing out the algae living inside and leaving behind a vulnerable skeletal structure. As coral reefs lose their biological inhabitants due to toxins, pollution and increased temperatures due to global warming, they also lose their pigments, becoming “ bleached.”