Effects and Impacts of Sunscreen on Coral Reefs: A Bibliographic Analysis Wilton Rodrigues de Souza Santos, Helen Sadauskas-Henrique

Abstract

The increased use of sunscreens, driven by skin cancer prevention campaigns, raises new concerns about the impacts of these products may have on the marine environment, especially on coral reefs. This literature review aimed to evaluate the effects of different photoprotective compounds on corals, analysing studies published between 2016 and 2023. The research was conducted using Google Scholar and the CAPES Periodicals database. In total, five articles were reviewed, investigating both organic and inorganic sunscreen filters. The results showed that the inorganic compound ZnO caused severe coral bleaching within a 48-hour exposure period, while TiO₂ compounds did not cause visible damage. The study with avobenzone revealed that this compound affects the photosynthetic capacity of corals, while oxybenzone caused significant damage to coral larvae, especially under light exposure. Other studies assessed the metabolomic profile of corals exposed to ten different compounds, showing that some compounds, such as octocrylene, accumulate in coral tissues. The compilation of these data highlights the importance of evaluating UV filter components, considering the impacts they may have on the marine ecosystem, and the need to seek less harmful alternatives.