Toxicopathological Effects of the Sunscreen UV Filter, Oxybenzone (Benzophenone-3), on Coral Planulae and Cultured Primary Cells and Its Environmental Contamination in Hawaii and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Benzophenone-3 (BP-3; oxybenzone) is an ingredient in sunscreen lotions and personal-care products that protects against the damaging effects of ultraviolet light. Oxybenzone is an emerging contaminant of concern in marine environments—produced by swimmers and municipal, residential, and boat/ship wastewater discharges. We examined the effects of oxybenzone on the larval form (planula) of the coral Stylophora pistillata, as well as its toxicity in vitro to coral cells from this and six other coral species.

The use of cellular diagnostics for identifying sub-lethal stress in reef corals.

Coral reefs throughout the world are exhibiting documented declines in coral cover and species diversity, which have been linked to anthropogenic stressors including land-based sources of pollution. Reductions in coastal water and substratum quality are affecting coral survivorship, reproduction and recruitment, and hence, the persistence of coral reefs. One major obstacle in effectively addressing these declines is the lack of tools that can identify cause-and-effect relationships between stressors and specific coral reef losses, while a second problem is the inability to measure the efficacy of mitigation efforts in a timely fashion.

Concentrations of Irgarol in selected marinas of Oahu, Hawaii and effects on settlement of coral larval.

This study examined concentrations of Irgarol 1051(®) in selected marinas on the island of Oahu, Hawaii and used laboratory bioassays to assess effects of Irgarol on coral larval settlement. Field surveys of small boat marinas performed in 2006-2007 revealed low concentrations of Irgarol 1051(®), an antifouling paint additive, ranging from non-detected (<17 ng/l) to 283 ng/l. The highest concentrations of Irgarol 1051(®) were found in marinas with low flushing rates and a high density of moored boats and boat traffic.

A survey of environmental pollutants and cellular-stress markers of Porites astreoides at six sites in St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coral communities along the coast of St. John, U.S.