Green Minute News:
The phenomena of Bioluminescence seen on warm coastal waters is nothing new but its occurrence always draws awe and amazement. The turquoise blue radiance was seen recently in the coastal waters of Karnataka. During night time, the Arabian Sea glowed like stars while even as people treaded on the quiet sandy beach, they turned blue.
Teeming with marine life, a few beaches glow across the world in Asia, America and Caribbean as they are often paid a visit by glowing planktons.
Shimmering blue waters and gleaming blue beaches was recently observed by people on the shores of Padukere of Malpe in Udupi district of Karnataka. Captivated by the natural phenomena, Arun Prabhu, a retired PSU engineer, wildlife photographer and birder with his family congregated to observe and capture the images for posterity.
BIOLUMINESCENCE ON PADUKERE BEACH, UDUPI
Bioluminescence was seen not only on Padukere but some people reported on the nearby Mattu beach. On this beach, in fact, one can see bioluminescence which as local environmentalists say are caused by Noctiluca scintillans. For the past few years, this phenomenon has been appearing regularly.
DINOFLAGELLATE BIOLUMINESCENCE AT SERAL BEACH, CALIFORNIA. SOURCE : WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
The 7000-kilometre-long coastline of India has many bioluminescent beaches. The beaches of Havelock and Radhanagar in Andamans, Juhu in Mumbai, Betalbatim in Goa while the Bangram beach of Lakshadweep island are known for the bioluminescence phenomena. Further, across the world, Maldives, Bali, Vietnam, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Japan, California, Florida and New York too have reported glowing beaches.
ILLUMINATED MOON JELLY FISH. SOURCE :WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Now what is this phenomenon?
It is nothing but emission of light from lower species of animals like bacteria, fungi and algae. However, a host of marine animals like jellyfish, worms, crustaceans, sea stars, fish, and sharks (including 90 percent of deep-sea creatures) emit bioluminescence. This is basically to camouflage from predators, attract mates, repel attacks, communicate (among bacteria) and illuminate.
ANOTHER VIEW OF PADUKERE BEACH, MALPE
Bioluminescence is a biological release of light by selected species. The chemical reactions within such species like aquatic algae and fireflies, in fact, give them a sparkle. Such species have bioluminescent parts to alert predators, attract and locate prey as also to interact with certain members of the group.
According to marine experts, it is very difficult to predict when the blooms of bioluminescent planktons occur and mostly, they happen far out in the oceans. But when tidal currents make them wash to the shore in large numbers, that is when we get to see them from the beaches. And one can see a glowing water body with its sandy beaches lighted up in shimmering blue color and hues. Dotted with specks of white light, the carpet of blue is excited by the rhythmic movement of waves.
SEA SPARKLE OR NOCTILUCA SCINTILLANS, A SPECIES FOUND IN OXYGEN DEFICIENT WATERS. SOURCE: WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
Planktons have circadian rhythm and therefore, they emit light only during that time. Also, only if the planktons are disturbed or moved by the waves, the blue lights will be visible. And at such a time, when you tread on the shore quietly, your pathway literally glows blue as you walk.
The Bioluminescence phenomenon is visible only during darkness and also during a bright moon. Further, the bioluminescence can be seen for a period of one night or a few days to some weeks. So, if you get an opportunity to observe this occurrence, do not miss nature’s gift to mankind.
(ALL PICTURE/VIDEO CREDIT: ARUN PRABHU, ANIL SHENOY FROM UDUPI, KARNATAKA)