Help prevent coral bleaching by using reef safe sunscreen.
As a visitor to Turneffe Atoll, you play an important role in protecting coral reefs and the marine life that depends on them. While sunscreen helps protect your skin from the Caribbean sun, it can also affect the marine environment. When you swim, snorkel, or dive, small amounts of sunscreen wash into the water and may contribute to reef stress.
Many popular sunscreen brands contain chemicals linked to coral bleaching. Although the impact of a single person may seem small, the combined effect of thousands of visitors can create significant challenges for reef ecosystems.
Fortunately, you do not need to stop using sunscreen. Instead, choose a reef safe sunscreen that protects both your skin and the environment. By making informed choices, you can reduce harm to coral reefs while enjoying your time at Turneffe Atoll.
How your sunscreen can damage the reef
Corals can absorb harmful sunscreen chemicals. These chemicals can disrupt reproduction and growth. Some corals have been found to convert oxybenzone (a common ingredient in many brands of sunscreen) into a light-activated toxin which is then absorbed by the symbiotic algae (zooxanthellae) that live inside their tissues. The corals will then expel their zooxanthellae, leading to coral bleaching.
Other Harmful Chemicals
Other common chemicals in sunscreen, such as paraben, cinnamate, benzophenone, and camphor derivatives, can make corals more vulnerable to viruses. These factors combine to make the reef less resilient to other threats such as climate change and rising ocean temperatures.
Just a drop in the ocean?
The chemicals in sunscreen are incredibly strong, and can affect reef health even at very low concentrations. Research has shown that oxybenzone can cause bleaching at 62 parts per trillion – that’s the equivalent of one drop in 6.5 Olympic-sized swimming pools.
Even at low concentrations, it seems that some sunscreens caused complete bleaching of corals, while oxybenzone can increase abnormalities or mortality in coral and fish larvae. The nanoparticles found in some sun care products can be passed up through the food chain, reaching harmful concentrations in marine mammals.
Harmful chemicals to watch out for
There are two main types of sunscreen: chemical and mineral. Chemical sunscreens absorb UV light using synthetic compounds, while mineral sunscreens work by reflecting the sun’s rays.
Chemical sunscreens often include substances that can harm coral, while the active ingredients in mineral sunscreen (such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide) are generally considered to be safe for use in the ocean.
The size of the particles in your sunscreen is also important – unless the packaging specifies “micro-sized” particles, you can assume that the product contains smaller – and more harmful – nanoparticles.
When choosing a sunscreen for your visit to Turneffe Atoll – or any other beach or ocean destination – try and avoid the following chemicals (check the list of active ingredients on the label):
- Oxybenzone
- Octinoxate
- Octocrylene
- Homosalate
- 4-methylbenzylidene camphor
- PABA
- Parabens
- Triclosan
- Nanoparticles or “nano-sized” zinc or titanium
- “Exfoliating beads” or other microplastics
Choosing a reef safe sunscreen can be tricky. There is not yet any requirement for brands to ensure that their sunscreen products are reef safe, and some brands may try to mislead you by labelling their products as “ocean friendly”. However, these sunscreens will often still contain harmful chemicals such as oxybenzone, and are best avoided.
Top tips for sun safety at Turneffe Atoll
- Read the label! Look out for the harmful ingredients listed above.
- Avoid spray-on sunscreen, as this is rarely reef safe.
- Wear a hat, long sleeves and sunglasses to reduce the amount of sunscreen you need.
- Wear a high-SPF rash vest when swimming or snorkeling, and a wetsuit when diving.
- Stay in the shade during the hottest times of the day.
By choosing reef safe sunscreen, you can enjoy a sunburn-free visit to Turneffe Atoll and help to preserve the reefs at the heart of the marine reserve. Last but not least, please recycle any empty sunscreen bottles (if you can’t do this locally, please take them home with you).
