Bioluminescence

Why in the news?

•  Residents of Thiruvanmiyur and Neelankarai experienced a stunning spectacle on Friday night as stretches of the beach glowed with bioluminescence. 

Source: The Hindu 

About Bioluminescence:

• It occurs due to the presence of some marine planktons called dinoflagellates that produce light when the water is disturbed. 
  • These planktons emit light on the ocean surface at night.
• Bioluminescence is widespread among deep sea animals in general.
• Many marine creatures like sponges, jellyfish, worms, species of fish, arthropods, echinoderms and unicellular alga exhibit bioluminescence to either evade predators, attract prey or during mating.
• This phenomenon is most likely the result of an algal bloom of the dinoflagellate species of noctiluca and ceratium.
• This occurs when the luciferase enzyme reacts with the luciferin compound in the presence of oxygen to produce a cold light.
• This is widespread in lagoons and sometimes breakwaters and is particularly visible during warm weather conditions
• The dinoflagellates follow a circadian cycle (24-hour cycle) and as a result this phenomenon occurs during the night which is visible in low light conditions.
• It has been visible in some beaches in India including Havelock Island in the Andamans, Thiruvanmiyur beach in Chennai, Mattu beach in Karnataka and Bangaram Island in Lakshadweep.