Beachgoers at Newport Beach, California recently witnessed an astonishing phenomenon. Dinoflagellates, tiny single-celled organisms, caused neon blue waves in the dark (see video above).
So-called bioluminescence – the ability of living things to generate light themselves – is responsible for the glow filmed on Tuesday. The water glowed as millions upon millions of dinoflagellates – tiny single-celled organisms capable of bioluminescence – emitted light.
Response to mechanical stimulation
As researchers have discovered, the glow is a response to mechanical stimulation. The small single-celled organisms respond to the change in currents and waves by emitting neon blue light. But it is also sufficient to sail across the water in a boat (see video above) or move your hands quickly back and forth in the water.
Lighting protects against predators
Like many things in nature, lighting has an important function: the microorganisms shine as a form of self-protection to irritate fish and other predators. Luminous prey signals danger to potential enemies and sometimes protects the dinoflagellates from being eaten.
Source: Krone
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