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| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Artículo científico |
| Language: | en |
| Published: |
Marine pollution bulletin
2026
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| Online Access: | https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42259221/ |
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Table of Contents:
- In situ experimental evidence of the effects of commercial sunscreens and their ultraviolet filters on Posidonia oceanica in a Mediterranean island (Formentera) during summer. García-Márquez, Manuela Gertrudis Agawin, Nona S R Sunscreen products usually contain a wide range of substances, including inorganic and organic ultraviolet (UV) filters, which belong to the main groups of contaminants of emerging concern for marine ecosystems. Research on the effects of sunscreen pollution in the Mediterranean marine biota is scarce, limiting the information necessary to promote sustainable coastal tourism through environmental policies that protect priority species for conservation against potentially harmful substances. The impacts of sunscreen components on Posidonia oceanica were assessed through short-term (48 h) in situ field experiments, using bell jar chambers during July of 2023 in Formentera, Balearic Islands, Spain. Environmentally relevant concentrations of a mixture of commercial sunscreens (6.08 mg*L), benzophenone-3 (BP-3; 247 and 1115 ng L) and titanium dioxide (TiO; 0.042 and 37.6 μg L) were tested against a control (without addition of contaminants). Both UV filters promoted greater respiration rates in P. oceanica than in the controls, resulting in a negative net carbon gain for the seagrass and reflecting reduced photosynthetic activity. Although the whole sunscreen mixture also induced respiration in the plants, the net primary productivity was higher under sunscreen addition, possibly enhanced by the nutrients released from the mixture. These filters also induced greater oxidative stress indicators, i.e., reactive oxygen species production in leaves under their respective highest concentrations and polyphenols concentrations increased at 1115 ng L of BP-3. On the other hand, polyphenols content decreased with 0.042 μg L of TiO. Leaf chlorophyll concentrations were lower under commercial sunscreen exposure and at 0.042 μg L of TiO. However, the photosynthetic pigment biosynthesis was stimulated at 37.6 μg L of TiO. The N fixation associated with leaf epiphytes only responded to BP-3 addition, showing inhibition at 1115 ng L compared to 247 ng L. Overall, our results point to negative impacts on the physiology of the seagrass, which are linked to the oxidative stress potentially induced by sunscreen pollutants. These findings provide pioneering in situ evidence on the potential hazards of UV filters for P. oceanica under a realistic short-term exposure window that captures the dynamics of sunscreen component in the natural environment.