User:Mfink1210/Environmental issues with coral reefs

This is my article on the Environmental Issues with coral reefs.

Being that most coral reefs are located in shallow waters close to shore they are susceptible to both direct and indirect impact from human activity Coral Reefs face various local threats such as physical damage from activities such as dredging, harmful fishing practices, boat anchors and coastal development.

The chemicals found in sunscreen that protect human skin from UV rays,oxybenzone and octinoxate, are extremely harmful to coral reefs. These chemicals prove harmful in that they make coral polyps vulnerable to bleaching which damages the coral's DNA. Researches have discovered in places like Hawaii, coral reefs are exposed to more than six thousand tons of sunscreen yearly. A study carried out in 2015 showed evidence that the chemical oxybenzone can significantly damage coral reefs in extremely small amounts of concentration. This has pushed Hawaiian lawmakers to take action and if signed by the current governor, as of January 1st, 2021,the distribution and sale of suncreens that contin the chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate will be banned in the state of Hawaii.