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Young World

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Coral killer

Sunscreen that you dutifully slather on before a swim on the beach may be protecting your body — but a new study finds that the chemicals are also killing coral reefs worldwide. Four commonly found sunscreen ingredients can awaken dormant viruses in the symbiotic algae called zooxanthellae that live inside reef-building coral species. Zooxanthellae provide coral with food energy through photosynthesis and contribute to the organisms’ vibrant colour. Without them, the coral “bleaches” turns white and dies. The researchers estimate that 4,000 to 6,000 metric tons of sunscreen wash off swimmers annually in oceans worldwide, and that up to 10 per cent of coral reefs are threatened by sunscreen-induced bleaching.

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Young World

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