Sunscreen Reef Safety Classifications as Applied to Egeria Densa
School Name
Chapin High School
Grade Level
11th Grade
Presentation Topic
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Non-Mentored
Abstract
New legislation in Hawaii outlawed sunscreen ingredients -- Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Octinoxate, and Oxybenzone -- found dangerous to marine ecosystems. As a result, mineral sunscreens containing Zinc and Titanium oxides have arisen as safer alternatives for reefs. This study investigates the application of “reef-safe” (Zinc Oxide 10%) versus “reef-dangerous” (Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.0%) classified sunscreens on a common freshwater plant, Egeria densa. After replicating a freshwater environment with a mineral substrate three times, the researcher will administer one ounce of each sunscreen classification to their designated tanks; one tank will be left as a control. With two plants per each of the three tanks, all six plants will be measured daily (cm) for two weeks to assess their growth rates. The plants will receive twelve hours of light from a 15-watt bulb and twelve hours of darkness. The Egeria densa plants will also be monitored for qualitative signs of distress: discoloration and wilting. The statistical analysis chosen was a three-way ANOVA test. Results indicated that plants are somewhat more susceptible to “reef dangerous” chemical sunscreens than “reef safe” ones. One limitation of the experiment was the high dosage of chemicals for the volume of the aquarium tank. Meaning, environmentally-relevant concentrations of sunscreen were exceeded which may have caused adverse effects on both experimental groups. Overall, the results did support the hypothesis with moderate significance, indicating reef safety applications for sunscreens can be applied to freshwater plants as well.
Recommended Citation
Smith, Cameryn, "Sunscreen Reef Safety Classifications as Applied to Egeria Densa" (2024). South Carolina Junior Academy of Science. 419.
https://scholarexchange.furman.edu/scjas/2024/all/419
Location
RITA 152
Start Date
3-23-2024 9:30 AM
Presentation Format
Oral and Written
Group Project
No
Sunscreen Reef Safety Classifications as Applied to Egeria Densa
RITA 152
New legislation in Hawaii outlawed sunscreen ingredients -- Avobenzone, Octocrylene, Octinoxate, and Oxybenzone -- found dangerous to marine ecosystems. As a result, mineral sunscreens containing Zinc and Titanium oxides have arisen as safer alternatives for reefs. This study investigates the application of “reef-safe” (Zinc Oxide 10%) versus “reef-dangerous” (Avobenzone 3.0%, Homosalate 10.0%, Octisalate 5.0%, Octocrylene 2.0%) classified sunscreens on a common freshwater plant, Egeria densa. After replicating a freshwater environment with a mineral substrate three times, the researcher will administer one ounce of each sunscreen classification to their designated tanks; one tank will be left as a control. With two plants per each of the three tanks, all six plants will be measured daily (cm) for two weeks to assess their growth rates. The plants will receive twelve hours of light from a 15-watt bulb and twelve hours of darkness. The Egeria densa plants will also be monitored for qualitative signs of distress: discoloration and wilting. The statistical analysis chosen was a three-way ANOVA test. Results indicated that plants are somewhat more susceptible to “reef dangerous” chemical sunscreens than “reef safe” ones. One limitation of the experiment was the high dosage of chemicals for the volume of the aquarium tank. Meaning, environmentally-relevant concentrations of sunscreen were exceeded which may have caused adverse effects on both experimental groups. Overall, the results did support the hypothesis with moderate significance, indicating reef safety applications for sunscreens can be applied to freshwater plants as well.
