Question

Coral reef is slowing dying. One reason for this could be the use of sunscreen by people going to beaches. Using information gathered from the internet, explain the possible connection between sunscreen use and its negative impact on Coral reef and suggest how an economic incentive that could help weaken this connection.

Answer 1

Coral Reef & Impacts by Sunscreen
The coral reefs are underwater structures which is very large in amount and composed of skeletons of coral which is a marine invertebrate animal. It is characterized by reef-building corals, which are formed of colonies of coral polyps held together by calcium carbonate. The use of sunscreen by people who are going to the beaches and swimming will helps to seep oxybenzone into the water which are absorbed by corals. The nano particles contain in the substances will disrupt coral reproduction and growth. It will lead ultimately to bleaching and destroying the underwater structure. The damage made is through the chemical substances in the sunscreen.
The steps for reducing the effect made by these chemical emitting sunscreens are to avoid the use of sunscreen which includes the substances oxbenzone and octinoxate. Use of mineral sunscreen can avoid the problems that create to the coral reefs. The non-nanotized zinc oxide or titanium dioxide appears to be safer for coral reefs. Substituting mineral sunscreen rather than using chemical includes ones can reduce the damage created to the coral reefs. Production and use of natural sunscreen should be encouraged and also to be supplied effectively.