One common chemical in sunscreen can have devastating effects on coral reefs. Now, scientists know why.
Sea anemones, which are closely related to corals, and mushroom coral can turn oxybenzone — a chemical that protects people against ultraviolet light — into a deadly toxin that’s activated by light. The good news is that algae living alongside the creatures can soak up the toxin and blunt its damage, researchers report in the May 6 Science.
But that also means that bleached coral reefs lacking algae may be more vulnerable to death. Heat-stressed corals and anemones…
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News Source: www.sciencenews.org