• Question: What could be added to water for it to absorb UV rays, if in any way possible?

    Asked by to Ben, Emily, Hattie, Jemma, Veronica on 24 Jun 2014. This question was also asked by .
    • Photo: Emily Hayward

      Emily Hayward answered on 24 Jun 2014:

      Hi Muizzasif2000,

      Water is good at absorbing UV rays without the addition of anything else. The UV rays heat up water and is why the sea and rivers are warmer at the end of the summer than in winter.

    • Photo: Jemma Rowlandson

      Jemma Rowlandson answered on 24 Jun 2014:

      Hi!

      Water actually absorbs UV rays already. The problem is it doesn’t do this very well as you can still get sunburnt when you’re in water (which is why you should wear sun cream, even if you’re swimming in the sea). You could add tiny particles to the water, like the ones used in sun cream. These would absorb the UV rays but they’d also pollute the oceans, which wouldn’t be a very good idea.

      Lots of other chemicals also absorb UV rays but they’re not very good for the environment. Your best bet if you want to go swimming is to put waterproof sun cream on. That will absorb the UV rays for you protecting your skin from harm.

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