Department of biological sciences - Latest News Update, Information, Photos & Videos on Department of biological sciences at Lokmat Times

While a lot many people do smother their skin with sunscreen before going for swimming, as per the findings of a new study, this may be harmful on the freshwater orgsms and has detrimental effects on them.According to new research by the University of Alberta biologists, the active ingredients found in sunscreen have detrimental effects on freshwater ecosystems. It results of the research were published in the journal Science of the Total Environment.The results show that long-term exposure to ultraviolet (UV) filters--including avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octocrylene--is lethal for some orgsms living in freshwater environments. One of the largest sources of UV-filter contamination in both marine and freshwater environments is from sunscreen leaching off of the skin while swimming."We do know that UV-filters are particularly devastating to coral reefs and cause bleaching, but there has been almost no research on what the effects are to freshwater mals," explained Aaron Boyd, a graduate student in the Department of Biological Sciences and lead author on the paper. "To address this, we examined the effects of UV-filters in the water flea, Daphnia magna."The results show that exposure to UV-filters over a 48-hour period prevented the fleas from navigating through their environment. Exposure over a 14-day period--similar to what might occur near popular beach areas--proved lethal for the tiny crustaceans."This is particularly bad for a freshwater ecosystem as a whole, as Daphnia are an important part of the food chain for many smaller species of fish," added Boyd, who completed this research in collaboration with graduate student Connor Stewart, under the supervision of Assistant Professor Tamzin Blewett and Professor Keith Tierney. "Losing a Daphnia population would put all of the species that rely on them at risk of starvation, and in certain conditions could cause the local ecosystem to collapse."The good news, Boyd explained, is that the fleas were able to recover their ability to navigate through the water once the contamination was removed--a good sign for environmental recovery. "These chemicals are short-lived in the environment, so if we remove the sources of pollution, then there is a reasonable chance for the orgsms in those environments to recover," he said.Further research is required to better understand the long-term impact of UV-filters--and research continues in the search for non-toxic UV filters.( With inputs from ANI )Disclaimer: This post has been auto-published from an agency feed without any modifications to the text and has not been reviewed by an editor

Department Of Biological Sciences, NewsFOLLOW

Department of biological sciences, Latest News

The results of a study on osteoblasts that damage joint bones in patients with rheumatoid arthritis were recently announced ... ...

Researchers from SMU (Southern Methodist University) have determined that a gene linked to feeling touch may moonlight as an olfactory gene. ...

The gene that makes us get drawn to the wonderful smell of rose is also responsible for the sense of prick we feel when we accidentally touch the thorns. Researchers from SMU (Southern Methodist University) have determined that a gene linked to feeli ...

While everyone wants to live a long and healthy life, it isn't possible for everyone. However, recent research has highlighted the significance of the tumour suppressor protein PTEN that can increase your health span, when targeted to create therapie ...

Though most studies suggest that the gut microbiome is primarily affected by our lifestyle, including what we eat or the medications we take, a new study has found a much greater genetic component at play than was once known. ...

The active ingredients found in sunscreen have detrimental effects on freshwater ecosystems, according to new research by University of Alberta biologists, ...

While a lot many people do smother their skin with sunscreen before going for swimming, as per the findings of a new study, this may be harmful on the freshwater organisms and has detrimental effects on them. ...