Octocrylene is a UV absorber that accumulates heavily in coral tissues and persists in the marine environment. It causes mitochondrial dysfunction in corals, disrupting their cellular energy production and leading to bleaching. As octocrylene degrades over time, it transforms into benzophenone, a known carcinogen and potent endocrine disruptor. Studies demonstrate that octocrylene increases coral mortality rates and impairs the settlement of coral larvae, preventing reef recovery. It bioaccumulates in marine organisms, posing risks throughout the food chain and contributing to reproductive failures in fish populations.