Abstract
Coral reefs are among the world's most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems. In recent decades, they have experienced an unparalleled decline resulting from various anthropogenically induced stressors. Ultraviolet (UV) filters found in personal care products, such as sunscreen, are chemical pollutants that are emerging as a growing toxic threat to reef organisms. In this study, a systematic literature review was conducted to (1) determine the current understanding of spatial distribution and the occurrence of UV filters exposed to the marine environment, (2) synthesize current ecotoxicological thresholds of relevant reef organisms under various UV-filter exposures, (3) identify research gaps related to both exposure and toxicity of UV filters in coral reef ecosystems. With gaps identified, a survey was developed and distributed to experts in the field representing academic, governmental, not-for-profit, and industry researchers in order to prioritize research gaps and inform future research efforts. The survey identified the need for better understanding of the impacts of co-stressors, long-term exposure, mixture, and degradation product exposure and realistic environmental conditions. Ultimately, this review will help guide priority research efforts to understand the risks of UV-filter exposure to coral reef ecosystems. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2021;17:967-981. © 2021 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
Highlights
Coral reefs are among the world's most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems (Odum & Odum, 1955; Reaka‐Kudla, 1997), performing many important ecological roles and supporting a variety of fish, invertebrate, and algal species (Briones‐Fourzán et al, 2012)
Coral reefs are essential to the livelihoods of many coastal communities, because many benefits can be derived from their ecosystem goods and services, including food supplies, shoreline protection, recreational activity, and financial stability through fisheries and tourism (Cinner et al, 2009; Costanza et al, 2014)
When asked to rank the eight general research gaps in order of importance, four areas emerged as high priority, with a weighted average ranking less than 4 (Table 4): (1) effects of UV‐filter toxicity when coinciding with additional climate‐induced environmental stressors (Temperature, pH, salinity, ocean acidification), (2) long‐term consequences of UV‐filter exposure for corals and the impacts on recovery, (3) realistic test conditions of coral reef ecosystems, and (4) the ecotoxicological effects of UV‐filter degradation products and metabolites
Summary
Coral reefs are among the world's most productive and biologically diverse ecosystems (Odum & Odum, 1955; Reaka‐Kudla, 1997), performing many important ecological roles and supporting a variety of fish, invertebrate, and algal species (Briones‐Fourzán et al, 2012). Coral reefs are essential to the livelihoods of many coastal communities, because many benefits can be derived from their ecosystem goods and services, including food supplies, shoreline protection, recreational activity, and financial stability through fisheries and tourism (Cinner et al, 2009; Costanza et al, 2014). Despite their significance to humans, biological diversity, and productivity, warm‐ and cold‐water coral reefs are vulnerable to natural and anthropogenically induced disturbances, both locally and globally (Burke et al, 2011; Hall‐Spencer et al, 2002). The results of this analysis will help guide future research and regulatory efforts on the impacts of UV filters on marine ecosystems
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