Impact of Tourist Behavior on the Discharge of Sunscreen Contamination in Aquatic Parks, Sinkholes, and Beaches of the Mexican Caribbean

Diego Armando Casas-Beltrán,Emely Hernandez-Yac,Rosa María Leal-Bautista,Melissa Lenczewski,Karelys Febles-Moreno,Jesús Alvarado-Flores,Courtney Maloof Gallaher

doi:10.3390/app11156882

Diego Armando Casas-Beltrán, Emely Hernandez-Yac + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11156882

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Abstract

The Mexican Caribbean is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, considered the second largest reef system globally. This system, as well as inland aquatic ecosystems, are at risk of contamination due to the intensive use of sunscreen by the tourists who visit the Riviera Maya each year. At present, the regulation and management of sunscreens are inconsistent, with most policies and legislation focused on the protected marine areas with little current focus on inland aquatic ecosystems. An estimated 229.76 tons of sunscreen are used annually, with residues putting the health of the marine and freshwater aquatic ecosystems and residents at risk. Groundwater is used recreationally (e.g., tourists swimming in sinkholes or cenotes) and as household drinking water. To understand the environmental impacts of sunscreen use and the management implications, a mixed-methods study was carried out, combining survey and interview data on how tourists use sunscreen and their perceptions of discharge of sunscreens into the water, with analysis of regional, national and international policies and legislation. Our findings of touristic behaviors, gaps in current legislation, and the pollution implications of different sunscreen types provide useful information for future decision-making and the creation of stronger environmental regulations.

Highlights

IntroductionThe intensive use of sunscreen in aquatic tourism has increased annually around the world, in coastal areas where tourists apply sunscreen to mitigate the harmful effects sun exposure
The discharge of sunscreen in aquatic systems is dependent on several factors, including the total number of tourists in a region, and regulations imposed by tourism sites and by environmental legislation governing the usage of sunscreens
Caribbean, are at risk of contamination due to the intensive use of sunscreen [13] due to the 229.76 tons of sunscreen applied by the 17 million tourists who visit them entering local aquatic ecosystems over the last 12 years [3,13]

Summary

Introduction

The intensive use of sunscreen in aquatic tourism has increased annually around the world, in coastal areas where tourists apply sunscreen to mitigate the harmful effects sun exposure. Protective against the risks of skin damage, the widespread application of sunscreen poses a risk for aquatic ecosystems; when people partake in aquatic activities, a percentage of sunscreen applied to their skin is discharged into the water. Aquatic tourism, including tourism at water parks, public beaches, natural and artificial water systems, and hydrological reserves, has increased the presence of chemical contaminants in the surface and groundwater systems. Chemical compounds deriving from sunscreen have been identified in the coastal zone mainly where coral reefs are located, in bodies of water with recreational activities, and water treatment plants

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