[Coral-List] Sunscreen effect on corals

[Todd Barber]

Hi Kee,

Actually, sunscreen may become more of an issue as seas continue to warm. 
The Reef Ball Coral team has long had the policy that team members working 
with fragmented corals can only use oil free sunscreen.  From mortality 
rates of fragmented corals, we determined the oiled versions where 
definately causing fragment death.

Although we did not scientificially investigate the causitive agent, we 
suspect the oil reduced the dissolved oxygen levels in the coolers where 
coral fragments are temporarily housed during handling and transportation. 
The significance is that widespread sunscreen use....perhaps of cruise lines 
or tours that put high numbers of indivuduals on a shallow reef could risk 
causing or aggrevating coral bleaching on warm water days, especially when 
waves and wind action is low.

We can report, however, that oil free sunscreens have not been linked to any 
increased mortaility during coral fragmentation and planting which although 
also not conclusive probably means the ingredients in suntan lotions (other 
than the oils) are probably not harmful to corals at least in the short run 
and especially when dilluted in the ocean.

Although Curtis is right to be thinking about the big picture, often times 
there are local situation that need all the tools and information available 
about corals to make good management judgements.

Thanks,

Todd R. Barber
Chairman, Reef Ball Foundation
www.reefball.org
252-353-9094

Skype name: toddbarber
Cell Phone 941-720-7549

3305 Edwards Court
Greenville, NC 27858

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----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Kee Alfian" <keealf at hotmail.com>
To: "Curtis Kruer" <kruer at 3rivers.net>; "Sara Peck" <peck at hawaii.edu>
Cc: <coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.gov>
Sent: Wednesday, December 05, 2007 12:19 AM
Subject: Re: [Coral-List] Sunscreen effect on corals


> Dear C. Kruer,
>
> Yes, you are definitely right that maybe we should be focusing on the more 
> 'Realistic' issue of threats to corals rather than starting on subjects 
> which has small or maybe no affect at all. Most of the impacts on reefs 
> are contributed to anthropogenic factors, which is already known through 
> many research conducted on, divers impact, anchor damage, nutrient influx, 
> sedimentation, and so on. But as for sunscreen lotion, many people has 
> raise the question and there are many versions of the 'maybe' because 
> nobody really look into it. Correct me if i'm wrong, bt in science, 
> negative results is a result too, and nobody has proof it to have a 
> negative or who knows, it might have positive affect on corals.
>
> My purpose is not to condemn the use of sunscreen, just trying to raise 
> the awareness of its affect (either good or bad) and propose a better way 
> of using the sunscreen lotion. But hey..scientist always look at the 
> darndest things :D...and i am just trying to be a good scientist :).
>
> FYI, there was already research conducted on the parameters that you 
> mention earlier, research did prove it has an impact to the reefs.
> KEE ALFIAN ABD. ADZIS
>
> Reef Ecologist
> Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR)
>
> Faculty of Science & Technology
> National University of Malaysia (UKM)
>
> Lecturer Trainee (DS45)
> Marine Science Programme
> School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences
> Faculty of Science & Technology
> National University of Malaysia (UKM)
> MALAYSIA
> http://www.ocean.ukm.my/kee
>
>
> Date: Tue, 4 Dec 2007 11:41:30 -0700From: kruer at 3rivers.netTo: 
> peck at hawaii.eduCC: keealf at hotmail.com; 
> coral-list at coral.aoml.noaa.govSubject: Re: [Coral-List] Sunscreen effect 
> on corals
> Sara,Maybe there's a reason that there is no research or no data on that 
> subject.  It ranks right up there with swimmers urinating and microbes in 
> wet suits as concerns of impacts to corals.  I'd suggest that research 
> into direct anthropogenic impacts to corals focus on anchor damage, 
> physical impacts of careless divers, trap fisheries that drop 40 lb traps 
> onto coral and wrap poly line around them, illegal harvesting, dredging, 
> siltation, groundings, etc.  Maybe if we could get universities and other 
> programs  to bite the bullet and focus on difficult real world  issues we 
> could gain some ground.  Just a thought.C. KruerSara Peck wrote:
> I second that request.
> If any one has done anything on this please let me know as well!   I
> haven't found anything useful  and many lay persons here are saying
> sunscreen is not good for corals but I don't know of or have any
> solid research to refer to.
> Happy holidays,
> Sara Peck, UH Sea Grant College Program Coastal Resources Extension Agent
>
> Many thanks in advanceAt 11:50 PM 12/2/2007, you wrote:
>
> At 11:50 PM 12/2/2007, Kee Alfian wrote:
>
> Dear All,
>
> I am currently looking into affect of sunscreen solution to corals
> for my Ph.D research in Malaysia. I have been searching all over for
> any papers or reference on the topic which has been conducted
> elsewhere, which came out zero. Can anyone advice me on similar
> research which has been conducted?
>
> Thanks in advance..
> KEE ALFIAN ABD. ADZIS
>
> Reef Ecologist
> Marine Ecosystem Research Centre (EKOMAR)
>
> Faculty of Science & Technology
> National University of Malaysia (UKM)
>
> Lecturer Trainee (DS45)
> Marine Science Programme
> School of Environmental & Natural Resource Sciences
> Faculty of Science & Technology
> National University of Malaysia (UKM)
> MALAYSIA
> http://www.ocean.ukm.my/kee
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