Wednesday, January 30, 2008

4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide and it could be killing coral

National Geographic is a credible source and this is what they had to say: "... The chemicals; [in sunscreen], cause the viruses to replicate until their algae hosts explode, spilling viruses into the surrounding seawater, where they can infect neighboring coral communities.

Zooxanthellae provide coral with food energy through photosynthesis and contribute to the organisms' vibrant color. Without them, the coral "bleaches"—turns white—and dies. ..." [Link]

I suspect that this is something Hawaii, Australia, and the south pacific should take quite seriously; I trust it doesn't apply the northern Pacific

No comments: