Nebraska Academy of Sciences
Nebraska Academy of Sciences: Programs and Proceedings
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Date of this Version
2026
Document Type
Presentation
Citation
Lillenas, C. M., Anderson, C. J., and Buchmann, A. M. (2026). Expanded Abstracts of The Nebraska Academy of Sciences Annual Spring Meeting vol. 1, pp. 12-16.
Abstract
Lytechinus variegatus or the variegated sea urchin is found in shallow, tropical waters. Lytechinus variegatus can be found in sandy reef beds, and sea grass, covered in algae and debris to protect itself from the UV rays and predators. Sea urchins play a crucial role in coral reef ecosystems. Sea urchins follow an omnivore diet, feeding on algae and phytoplankton. In coral reef ecosystems, sea urchins eat unwanted algae, allowing coral reefs to continue growing and thriving. Without the presence of sea urchins in coral reef communities, algae can negatively affect the growth and success of coral reefs. Sunscreen serves as a tool to protect humans from damaging UV rays and can be introduced to the reef ecosystem via swimming in oceans. Most sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate can be detrimental to coral reef ecosystems, causing coral bleaching. Reef safe sunscreens do not contain oxybenzone and octinoxate and are marketed as a safer alternative to reef-bleaching sunscreens. Reef safe sunscreens replace the oxybenzone and octinoxate with minerals like titanium oxide and zinc oxide. We tested the effects of sunscreen as an ocean pollutant on the development of sea urchin embryos. The sunscreen lotions that were tested were Equate Sport SPF 50, Coppertone Water Babies SPF 50, and Blue Lizard Sensitive Mineral SPF 50. Blue Lizard is labeled as “reef safe” as it contains 10% zinc oxide and 8% titanium oxide rather than oxybenzone and octinoxate. Each lotion was mixed with seawater, then freshly harvested sea urchin eggs and sperm were mixed together to start fertilization. The urchins were observed at several time points for three days. The results showed that the presence of sunscreen in seawater led to abnormalities in development in water contaminated with Equate Sport or Coppertone Water Babies. The presence of Blue Lizard sunscreen inhibited fertilization and prevented sea urchin development.