Saturday, May 24, 2008

Suncreen is killing coral?!


Well, I guess I should change the title of this blog to Melissa freaking out about the environment! I promise I do make art... and I am not always freaking out. But I guess its interesting to me and my main concern other than my daughter how I am going to survive as an artist. But this morning I read that chemicals in suncreen are contributing to the bleaching of coral reefs. Man should really consider how many synthetic chemicals he uses and their impact.

From National Geographic News:
"Four commonly found sunscreen ingredients can awaken dormant viruses in the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside reef-building coral species.

The chemicals 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."

2 comments:

José Carrilho (Go Detail) said...

Hi,

I recently read about acidity (sp?) in the oceans. Something that can destroy thousands of species.
Yes, corals are very sensitive and are being massively destroyed. That's been going on for ages and it seems that there's no interest avoiding it.
The bill will show and all the money won't be enough.

Kind regards,

José

Anonymous said...

Appreciation for you that you are working for the natural beauty and the earth and the creatures are considered less.

Others bloggers must say for these species.