Effects of the sunscreen ultraviolet filter oxybenzone (benzophenone-3) on the seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile and its associated N fixers.

Oxybenzone/benzophenone-3 (BP-3) is one of the most detrimental organic ultraviolet filters for marine biota, leading to legislative measures banning its presence in commercial sunscreen formulations of several countries. It remains poorly explored how this contaminant is currently threatening the persistence of critical ecosystems for conservation in the Mediterranean, such as Posidonia oceanica meadows, but it is essential for promoting sustainable coastal tourism. Our investigation aimed to determine the effects of BP-3 on P.

Sunscreen exposure interferes with physiological processes while inducing oxidative stress in seagrass Posidonia oceanica (L.) Delile.

The effects of a commercial sunscreen mixture on the Mediterranean seagrass Posidonia oceanica were investigated, evaluating its response in physiological processes and biochemical indicators of oxidative stress. Short-term laboratory experiments were conducted recreating summer conditions, and two sunscreen concentrations were tested in whole P. oceanica plants placed inside aquaria.