Sunscreens generate a potentially important source of environmental contamination across marine and aquatic systems. Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3; BP-3) is one of the most common organic filters in chemical sunscreen and has been detected in seawater at high concentrations. In this study, we asked whether BP-3 contamination affected the photosynthesis, respiration, and photophysiology of rhodoliths collected offshore from popular Gulf of Mexico beaches in North Florida. We found no evidence for negative effects of the common organic UV filter BP-3 on Gulf of Mexico rhodoliths. This result is promising for the fate of these important algae who act as habitat builders and foundational components of global reef ecosystems.

防晒霜会在海洋和水生系统中产生潜在的重要环境污染源。氧苯酮（benzophenone-3; BP-3）是化学防晒剂中最常见的有机过滤剂之一，已在海水中检测到高浓度。在这项研究中，我们询问了 BP-3 污染是否影响从北佛罗里达州墨西哥湾热门海滩近海收集的红石的光合作用、呼吸作用和光生理学。我们没有发现常见的有机紫外线过滤器 BP-3 对墨西哥湾石榴石有负面影响的证据。这一结果对这些作为栖息地建设者和全球珊瑚礁生态系统基础组成部分的重要藻类的命运充满希望。