BIO-LUMINESCENCE ; An astounding sight at beaches!!

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   By seeing this picture some of you might think as it is an edited picture .But it is not,it is a biological phenomenon called BIO-LUMINESCENCE .Again a biological term whose meaning is very simple 'light produced by a living organism'.Yes !! you heard me right.It is due to some marine organisms ,sometimes due to some fungi or bacteria.     

     Now we will try to know the reason behind this astounding sight which can also be seen in the beaches of Gokarna.It occurs through a chemical reaction that produces light energy within an organism's body.For this reaction to occur ,the organism must have a chemical named LUCIFERIN,which when reacts with oxygen to produce light.Bioluminescence is found in many marine organism like bacteria ,algae,jellyfish,starfish,etc.In fish alone there are about 1500 species known that luminiscence.

    A question may come to our mind Why do they light up? It is not for our enchantment.For some organisms it is a way of attracting the preys towards them.The light attracts many insects and small organisms towards the predator.It is also a way of protection. The organism sometimes use their ability to luminate to frighten their predator .

This fish is using counterillumination to disappear. At left it stands out against the light above it. At right, with bioluminescent structures lit, it blends in.
This fish is using counterillumination to disappear. At left it stands out against the light above it. At right, with bioluminescent structures lit, it blends in. (Smithsonian Institution)
The above example is also a way of protection.The living organisms also use this ability to attract their mate during breeding season.
Photograph of the underside of a gelatinous octopus with a bright yellow bioluminescent ring around her mouth.
The yellow bioluminescent ring on this female octopus may attract mates(Michael Vecchione/NOAA)
     
     We can see the biolumiescence through out the year .In the winter season we see bioluminescence produced by the comb jellies.However we can see the lihgts in summer season produced by the Dinoflagellates.But we can see them most oftenly during summer season at night.

A photograph of a bright blue-speckeled dinoflagellate bioluminescing at night.
Sunset? Time to glow! A biological clock triggers bioluminescence in the dinoflagellate Pyrocystis fusiformi. At dusk, cells produce the chemicals responsible for its light

       If you are curious to see the magical view it can be seen in Gokarna. YES !!! GOKARNA as it turns out, is one of the prime spots in India to see the beautiful bioluminescent phytoplankton. Nighttime is the only time you can see them, and it is advised to travel during the new moon as moonlight might hamper sighting them.The time to see this is around 11 PM to 2 AM at night.The truth is, you have next to impossible chances of spotting phytoplanktons on a full moon. They are generally visible only on a new moon. The reason is, a new moon night is darker than any other lunar phase, and hence there's no other light reflecting from the water body. This gives a clear view of phytoplanktons in the water.


BIOLUMINESCENCE AT GOKARNA






Reference: https://ocean.si.edu/ocean-life/fish/bioluminescence


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