The Effects of Sunscreen Products on Growth of Tetraselmis Algae
Molloy Faculty Mentor
Elizabeth Suter (esuter@molloy.edu)
Presenter Major
Environmental Science
Presentation Type
Poster
Location
Wilbur 2nd Floor Corridor, Wilbur Arts Building, Molloy University
Start Date
1-5-2026 10:30 AM
End Date
1-5-2026 11:15 AM
Description (Abstract)
Due to established effects that sunscreen ingredients appear to have on marine organisms such as the symbiotic zooxanthellae algae in coral reefs, many locations have placed bans on certain major sunscreen ingredients. As more sunscreen is continually washed into marine habitats, however, it is important to assess its impact on other algal species. This study details the addition of sunscreen products to a growing culture of Tetraselmis microalgae cells to test the effect on growth and reproduction, using Banana Boat Lotion, Banana Boat Spray, and Neutrogena Lotion. Two trials of experiments were performed, assessing cell counts and dissolved oxygen concentrations over time in each culture. The presence of lotions generally impaired cell growth and the production of dissolved oxygen, resulting in slower growth rates and lower cell counts, with the Banana Boat-branded sunscreens having the greatest impact.
Keywords
Algae, Tetraselmis, sunscreen, cell growth, dissolved oxygen, growth rate, cell count
Related Pillar(s)
Study
The Effects of Sunscreen Products on Growth of Tetraselmis Algae
Wilbur 2nd Floor Corridor, Wilbur Arts Building, Molloy University
Due to established effects that sunscreen ingredients appear to have on marine organisms such as the symbiotic zooxanthellae algae in coral reefs, many locations have placed bans on certain major sunscreen ingredients. As more sunscreen is continually washed into marine habitats, however, it is important to assess its impact on other algal species. This study details the addition of sunscreen products to a growing culture of Tetraselmis microalgae cells to test the effect on growth and reproduction, using Banana Boat Lotion, Banana Boat Spray, and Neutrogena Lotion. Two trials of experiments were performed, assessing cell counts and dissolved oxygen concentrations over time in each culture. The presence of lotions generally impaired cell growth and the production of dissolved oxygen, resulting in slower growth rates and lower cell counts, with the Banana Boat-branded sunscreens having the greatest impact.
