PhD researcher Anneliese Hodge collecting seaweed as part of her studies into the effect of sunscreen on the marine environment
Anneliese Hodge
As the summer sunshine sends thousands flocking to the South West’s coastline, researchers from the Âé¶¹´«Ã½ and Âé¶¹´«Ã½ Marine Laboratory (PML) have highlighted the potential for sunscreens to damage the marine environment.
Writing for The Conversation, they have also offered advice on how to choose a product that protects from the sun’s rays without causing harm to the environment.
The article has been written by PhD researcher Anneliese Hodge, who is working with experts in ecotoxicology, marine chemistry and ecology at the University and PML to examine how sunscreens might impact a range of marine species.
In the piece, she writes about her own journey to try and understand the pathways in which sunscreens enter our waterways and how to balance effective sun protection against environmental protection.

I’ve grown up by the coast, and am really passionate about protecting it. I used to feel extremely overwhelmed when trying to juggle the concept of making sure I got sufficient sun protection, whilst also ensuring the sunscreen I was wearing wasn’t harming the ocean. It has been a running theme in my Master of Research Marine Biology degree and, consequently, my PhD too.

Anneliese Hodge
PhD researcher
Anneliese first started exploring humans’ impact on the environment during her