sunlit coral reef
Corals and Sea Anemones Turn Sunscreen into Toxins—Understanding How Could Help Save Coral Reefs
Researchers have long suspected that an ingredient in sunscreen called oxybenzone was harming corals, but no one knew how. A new study shows how corals turn oxybenzone into a sunlight-activated toxin.
ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, mihtiander
Corals and Sea Anemones Turn Sunscreen into Toxins—Understanding How Could Help Save Coral Reefs
Corals and Sea Anemones Turn Sunscreen into Toxins—Understanding How Could Help Save Coral Reefs

Researchers have long suspected that an ingredient in sunscreen called oxybenzone was harming corals, but no one knew how. A new study shows how corals turn oxybenzone into a sunlight-activated toxin.

Researchers have long suspected that an ingredient in sunscreen called oxybenzone was harming corals, but no one knew how. A new study shows how corals turn oxybenzone into a sunlight-activated toxin.

ABOVE: © ISTOCK.COM, mihtiander
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sea anemone

Image of the Day: Symbiotic Algae
Emily Makowski | Jan 13, 2020
Anemones keep their algae populations in check.
Image of the Day: Ocean Wonder
Sukanya Charuchandra | Sep 4, 2018
Molecules similar to those produced by sea anemones are neuroprotective in a mouse cell model of Alzheimer’s disease.
Image of the Day: Sad Clownfish?
The Scientist Staff, The Scientist Staff | Apr 19, 2018
Climate change is bleaching sea anemones, and it’s stressing out the clownfish that live in them.
Sea Anemone Toxin Could Treat Autoimmunity
Jef Akst | Jan 1, 2018
If successful, the treatments could alleviate patients’ pain by reducing inflammation.