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Doust SN, Haghshenas SA, Bishop EE, Risk MJ, Downs CA. Fine-scale geographic risk assessment of oxybenzone sunscreen pollution within Hanauma Bay using hydrodynamic characterization and modeling. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167614. [PMID: 37804976 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Hanauma Bay's coral reef system is threatened by sunscreen pollution. Understanding the hydrodynamic nature of the bay is crucial for understanding the transport and fate of pollutants within the bay. This study conducted a comprehensive hydrodynamic analysis, revealing significant aspects of current patterns and their influence on sunscreen pollutant behavior. The analysis demonstrated the formation of flows that drive currents parallel to the shoreline, resulting in increased pollutant retention time over sensitive reef areas. Direct flushing currents were identified as playing a role in reducing pollution buildup. Particle dynamics analysis highlighted the importance of considering temporal dynamics and their implications for pollutant pathways, particularly through the swash zone during high tide phases. The study identified primary current patterns near the reef area and emphasized the circular behavior within the water body, affecting corals' susceptibility to bleaching in the southwestern part of Hanauma bay. To understand where oxybenzone concentrations were a threat to wildlife, we created a geographic model that integrated ecological risk assessment with hydrodynamic behavior in a given system, which we designate the Risk Quotient Plume - the geographic area where the concentration is above the threat level for a chemical. The study found high oxybenzone concentrations throughout the bay, threatening coral, fish, and algae populations. Oxybenzone's distribution indicated a serious threat to the entire back reef habitat and a hinderance to coral restoration efforts. The study also emphasizes the need to consider the hydrodynamic behavior of pollutants and their interaction with microplastics in the bay. Overall, the findings provide insights into hydrodynamics and pollutant dispersion in Hanauma Bay, supporting effective pollution management and conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shadan Nasseri Doust
- Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave., Tehran 1439951113, Islamic Republic of Iran
| | - S Abbas Haghshenas
- Institute of Geophysics, University of Tehran, North Kargar Ave., Tehran 1439951113, Islamic Republic of Iran.
| | - Elizabeth E Bishop
- Friends of Hanauma Bay, P.O. Box 25761, Honolulu, HI 96825-07610, United States of America
| | - Michael J Risk
- School of Geography and Geology, McMaster University, N0G 1R0, Canada
| | - C A Downs
- Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 92, Clifford, VA 24533, United States of America.
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Downs CA, Diaz-Cruz MS, White WT, Rice M, Jim L, Punihaole C, Dant M, Gautam K, Woodley CM, Walsh KO, Perry J, Downs EM, Bishop L, Garg A, King K, Paltin T, McKinley EB, Beers AI, Anbumani S, Bagshaw J. Beach showers as sources of contamination for sunscreen pollution in marine protected areas and areas of intensive beach tourism in Hawaii, USA. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129546. [PMID: 35941056 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129546] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In 2019, sands in nearby runoff streams from public beach showers were sampled on three islands in the State of Hawaii and tested for over 18 different petrochemical UV filters. Beach sands that are directly in the plume discharge of beach showers on three of the islands of Hawaii (Maui, Oahu, Hawai'i) were found to be contaminated with a wide array of petrochemical-based UV-filters that are found in sunscreens. Sands from beach showers across all three islands had a mean concentration of 5619 ng/g of oxybenzone with the highest concentration of 34,518 ng/g of oxybenzone at a beach shower in the Waikiki area of Honolulu. Octocrylene was detected at a majority of the beach shower locations, with a mean concentration of 296.3 ng/g across 13 sampling sites with the highest concentration of 1075 ng/g at the beach shower in Waikiki. Avobenzone, octinoxate, 4-methylbenzylidene camphor and benzophenone-2 were detected, as well as breakdown products of oxybenzone, including benzophenone-1, 2,2'-dihydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone, and 4-hydroxybenzophenone. Dioxybenzone (DHMB) presented the highest concentration in water (75.4 ng/mL), whereas octocrylene was detected in all water samples. Some of these same target analytes were detected in water samples on coral reefs that are adjacent to the beach showers. Risk assessments for both sand and water samples at a majority of the sampling sites had a Risk Quotient > 1, indicating that these chemicals could pose a serious threat to beach zones and coral reef habitats. There are almost a dozen mitigation options that could be employed to quickly reduce contaminant loads associated with discharges from these beach showers, like those currently being employed (post-study sampling and analysis) in the State of Hawaii, including banning the use of sunscreens using petrochemical-based UV filters or educating tourists before they arrive on the beach.
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Affiliation(s)
- C A Downs
- Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 92, Clifford, VA 24533, USA.
| | - M Silvia Diaz-Cruz
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA), Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain
| | | | - Marc Rice
- Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA
| | - Laura Jim
- Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA
| | - Cindi Punihaole
- Kahalu`u Bay Education Center, The Kohala Center, P.O. Box 437462, Kamuela, HI 967, USA
| | - Mendy Dant
- Fair Wind Cruises, Kailua Kona, HI 96740, USA
| | - Krishna Gautam
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India
| | - Cheryl M Woodley
- US National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, Coral Disease & Health Program, Hollings Marine Laboratory, 331 Ft. Johnson Rd., Charleston, SC 29412, USA
| | - Kahelelani O Walsh
- Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA
| | - Jenna Perry
- Hawai'i Preparatory Academy, 65-1692 Kohala Mountain Road, Kamuela, HI 96743, USA
| | - Evelyn M Downs
- Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, P.O. Box 92, Clifford, VA 24533, USA
| | - Lisa Bishop
- Friends of Hanauma Bay, P.O. Box 25761, Honolulu, HI 96825-07610, USA
| | - Achal Garg
- Chemists Without Borders, Sacramento, CA 95835, USA
| | - Kelly King
- Maui County Council, 200 S. High St., Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
| | - Tamara Paltin
- Maui County Council, 200 S. High St., Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
| | | | - Axel I Beers
- Maui County Council, 200 S. High St., Wailuku, HI 96793, USA
| | - Sadasivam Anbumani
- Ecotoxicology Laboratory, Regulatory Toxicology Group, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Vishvigyan Bhawan, 31, Mahatma Gandhi Marg, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Jeff Bagshaw
- Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 685 Haleakala Hwy, Kahului, HI 96732, USA
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