Coral reefs provide divers and snorkelers with a colorful tour of the undersea world. But those visitors leave behind dangerous sunscreen chemicals - about 6,000 tons a year – that wash through U.S. reefs.

Some sunscreens can do irreparable damage to coral reefs – those important but endangered ecosystems that provide natural protection for coastlines.

Supported in part by NSF, researchers at Stanford university are working to understand sunscreen formulations that can be safe -- for both humans and corals.

For some time, scientists have known oxybenzone -- an organic compound found in many sunscreens – can be harmful to corals -- but they have not understood why. This new research provides surprising insight.

The study revealed that, while oxybenzone protects humans from the harmful rays of the sun, it could have the opposite effect on corals – making them more vulnerable to sunlight. The corals metabolized the oxybenzone, producing products that inflict great damage when exposed to sunlight.

The team noted oxybenzone may not be the only sunscreen ingredient threatening coral – that more research needs to be done.

Ecotourism of coral reefs provides wondrous study of life under the sea. The researchers hope their work will lead to sunscreens that protect a vital ecosystem as well.

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