点评:I love the Ningaloo Reef, but what I came here to say is this: if you plan on snorkelling anywhere on the coral reefs, please wear long-sleeved rash guard and even lycra tights, rather than smothering yourself with sunscreen. Sunscreen washes off and the chemicals are harmful to coral and reef fish. Studies continue to show that oxybenzone and octinoxate are detrimental to coral health. Octinoxate degrades into a chemical called benzophenone, which is a known cancer-causing agent and hormone disruptor. A notable 2016 study found that oxybenzone can cause deformities in both coral larvae and baby corals, damage to coral DNA, and abnormal skeletal growth. A later 2022 study of anemones, the coral’s close relative, determined one reason why. When anemones encounter oxybenzone in the presence of sunlight they attempt to rid themselves of the chemical by slightly altering its chemical makeup, but in the process, they end up making a lethal toxin. The new molecule builds in both the anemone tissue and in the anemone’s symbiotic algae where it then wreaks havoc and bleaches the anemone. Please do your part to protect this world heritage.
翻译:我非常喜欢宁格鲁礁,但我来这里想说的是:如果您计划在珊瑚礁浮潜,请穿长袖防晒衣,甚至莱卡紧身裤,而不是涂抹厚厚的防晒霜。防晒霜会被水冲走,而且其中的化学物质对珊瑚和礁鱼有害。研究不断表明,氧苯酮和甲氧基肉桂酸辛酯对珊瑚的健康有害。甲氧基肉桂酸辛酯会降解成一种叫做二苯甲酮的化学物质,二苯甲酮是一种已知的致癌物和内分泌干扰物。2016 年一项重要的研究发现,氧苯酮会导致珊瑚幼虫和幼珊瑚畸形、损伤珊瑚 DNA 以及骨骼异常生长。2022 年一项针对海葵(珊瑚的近亲)的研究揭示了其中一个原因。当海葵在阳光照射下接触到氧苯酮时,它们会试图通过改变自身的化学结构来摆脱这种化学物质,但在这个过程中,它们最终会产生一种致命的毒素。这种新的分子会在海葵组织及其共生藻类中积累,最终导致海葵死亡并褪色。请尽您的一份力来保护这一世界遗产。