Assessment of the Biological Response of the Scleractinian Coral Seriatopora Hystrix to Sunscreen Products

Every second, 0.8 litres of sunscreen enters ocean waters, which corresponds to the release 25.000 tons per year. UV filters may present substantial threats marine fauna and flora have an impact similar that other contaminants. Coral reefs play a major role in biodiversity, some publications suggest they are threatened by into environment, should cause bleaching. The aim this study was evaluate potential products on hard corals. Laboratory experiments Seriatopora hystrix coral fragments were exposed 9 sunscreens at concentrations up 100 mg/L for 96 hours conducted, biological responses assessed. examined parameters bleaching polyp retraction. results obtained revealed tested had no effects S. hystrix, with recorded NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) both parameters. This concentration is much higher than those chemicals natural order µg/L or ng/L. Under conditions experiment, absence toxic from allows us argue danger