Impact of Tourist Behavior on the Discharge of Sunscreen Contamination in Aquatic Parks, Sinkholes, and Beaches of the Mexican Caribbean
Impact of Tourist Behavior on the Discharge of Sunscreen Contamination in Aquatic Parks, Sinkholes, and Beaches of the Mexican Caribbean
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DOI：
10.3390/app11156882
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发表时间：
2021-08-01
影响因子：
2.7
通讯作者：
Lenczewski, Melissa
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Armando Casas-Beltran, Diego;Febles-Moreno, Karelys;Lenczewski, Melissa
墨西哥加勒比海是中美洲堡礁系统的一部分，被认为是全球第二大珊瑚礁系统。由于每年到访里维埃拉玛雅的游客大量使用防晒霜，该系统以及内陆水生生态系统都面临着污染的风险。目前，防晒霜的监管和管理不一致，大多数政策和立法都集中在海洋保护区，目前很少关注内陆水生生态系统。据估计，每年使用229.76吨防晒霜，其残留物危及海洋和淡水水生生态系统以及居民的健康。地下水用于娱乐（例如，游客在天坑或天然井中游泳）和家庭饮用水。为了了解使用防晒霜对环境的影响及其管理意义，开展了一项混合方法研究，结合调查和访谈数据，了解游客如何使用防晒霜以及他们对将防晒霜排放到水中的看法，并分析了区域、国家和国际政策和立法。我们对旅游行为、现行立法的差距以及不同防晒霜类型对污染的影响的研究结果，为未来的决策和制定更强有力的环境法规提供了有用的信息。
The Mexican Caribbean is part of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, considered the second largest reef system globally. This system, as well as inland aquatic ecosystems, are at risk of contamination due to the intensive use of sunscreen by the tourists who visit the Riviera Maya each year. At present, the regulation and management of sunscreens are inconsistent, with most policies and legislation focused on the protected marine areas with little current focus on inland aquatic ecosystems. An estimated 229.76 tons of sunscreen are used annually, with residues putting the health of the marine and freshwater aquatic ecosystems and residents at risk. Groundwater is used recreationally (e.g., tourists swimming in sinkholes or cenotes) and as household drinking water. To understand the environmental impacts of sunscreen use and the management implications, a mixed-methods study was carried out, combining survey and interview data on how tourists use sunscreen and their perceptions of discharge of sunscreens into the water, with analysis of regional, national and international policies and legislation. Our findings of touristic behaviors, gaps in current legislation, and the pollution implications of different sunscreen types provide useful information for future decision-making and the creation of stronger environmental regulations.