WASHED OFF SUNSCREEN IS KILLING AUSTRALIAN CORAL WARN ITALIAN SCIENTISTS
February 1st, 2008
BY MARK ROWE
ITALIAN scientists have warned that the 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes of sunscreen washed off swimmers worldwide annually is threatening coral, as it contains ingredients stimulating viruses in the algae zooxanthellae that helps coral photosynthesise sunlight by providing it with colour. Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, say that without the algae, coral turns white, reflects the sun and dies.
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ITALIAN scientists have warned that the 4,000 to 6,000 tonnes of sunscreen washed off swimmers worldwide annually is threatening coral, as it contains ingredients stimulating viruses in the algae zooxanthellae that helps coral photosynthesise sunlight by providing it with colour. Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, say that without the algae, coral turns white, reflects the sun and dies.
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