TOXICITY OF ZINC OXIDE TO SCLERACTINIAN CORALS AND ZOOXANTHELLAE: A BRIEF REVIEW

In recent years, the safety of sunscreens to coral reefs and the role these products would play in the process of coral bleaching has been a concern. However, the discussion centers almost exclusively on the organic components used as UV filters, with little attention given to inorganic UV filters,...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Química Nova 2023-01, Vol.46 (3), p.266-272
Main Authors: Freitas Neto, Lúcio, Espósito, Breno
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
CHEMISTRY, MULTIDISCIPLINARY
coral
reefs
sunscreen
zinc oxide
zooxanthellae
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Summary:In recent years, the safety of sunscreens to coral reefs and the role these products would play in the process of coral bleaching has been a concern. However, the discussion centers almost exclusively on the organic components used as UV filters, with little attention given to inorganic UV filters, such as zinc oxide. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) have been a common ingredient of sunscreen formulations for decades and are being discharged in coral reef environments. Even though there are data supporting that ZnO is toxic to certain species of fish and algae, regulatory agencies do not appear concerned with the possible outcome of the exposure of corals and their algal symbionts to this metal oxide. This review compiles the published work on the toxicity of ZnO and ZnO-NPs to corals and zooxanthellae, which strongly supports the notion that zinc oxide is toxic to both corals and microalgae. In view of this, concern has been raised by the use of the “reef safe” label to promote sunscreens that lack specific organic components, however containing ZnO as the major UV filter.
ISSN:0100-4042
1678-7064
1678-7064
DOI:10.21577/0100-4042.20230003