The Mesmerizing Glow of the Ocean- How Do Ocean Creatures Create Their Light?

Have you noticed sea animals? I am asking this because I want to drive your attention to the light produced by these animals. Yeah! what I’m saying is absolutely true. The sea animals, including various fish and squid, tiny creatures called crustaceans, and even algae, produce light, which is known as bioluminescence.

Now you must be wondering why and how. Actually, they do this to either confuse predators, attract animals they want for food, or get the attention of possible mates. You can see this amazing natural light show in various coastal waters when bioluminescent algae or plankton are in the water, producing bioluminescence. Okay, I’ll tell you everything in more detail.

I’ll Tell You about Bioluminescence and Bioluminescent Plankton

Hey! Don’t get upset if these terms are new to you. It’s okay. In fact, it develops your interest in knowing about anything.

So, some animals and plants, whether on land or in the ocean, can emit light inside their bodies through special chemical reactions. This ability to produce light that makes the sea sparkle or gives it a blue glow is known as bioluminescence, and it occurs because of a chemical reaction called chemiluminescence.

When certain chemicals are mixed together, they produce energy that makes other particles vibrate and create light, making the bioluminescent organisms glow. 

The chemicals responsible for making plankton glow are luciferin molecules, and the light is generated through a series of reactions triggered by a substance called luciferase. Bioluminescence is quite common in glowing plankton and comes in various forms; it is a type of cold light or luminescence.

The Bioluminescent Light

When living things produce their own light, the colors and patterns can be very different. I’m sure divers who have experienced this will agree with me. In the ocean, most glowing light is blue-green, and it’s easier to see in deep waters. Sea creatures usually see best in these colors and can’t see colors like yellow, red, or violet.

On land, many creatures also glow in blue-green, like fireflies. But some glow in yellow, like a special land snail in Southeast Asia. Now don’t tell me that you haven’t seen fireflies. No no it’s okay if you haven’t but I am saying this because they are easy to spot.

Only a few creatures can glow in more than one color, and one such example is the railroad worm – its head glows red, and its body glows green. Different parts of the creature’s body use different colors to shine.

Certain fungi in decaying wood always give off a steady glow called foxfire. Most of the time, animals use their light to flash on and off for a short time, like a few seconds. Some creatures have specific spots that light up, like dots on a squid, while others can make their whole body light up.

Why Do Organisms Use Bioluminescence? I Know You Are About to Ask This

Actually, Bioluminescence serves various purposes, and one of its key functions is to help organisms evade predators and act as a defense mechanism. When disturbed, dinoflagellates produce light, a quick flash of light that lasts only a fraction of a second, and this light flash is not just a random occurrence but a strategic move.

The purpose of the flash is to attract the attention of potential predators towards the creature that is disturbing or trying to consume the dinoflagellate in the deep sea. The sudden burst of stimulating light surprises the predator, making it reconsider its actions. The predator becomes concerned about the possibility of other predators being attracted to the scene, diverting its attention away from the dinoflagellate. 

Thus, bioluminescence in this context acts as a defensive strategy, aiding in the survival of the organisms employing it.

Which Plankton are Bioluminescent Plankton? You Must know This

Plankton are small living things that float in the ocean and are an important food source for fish. Some types of plankton, like tiny animals and single-celled organisms, can glow in the dark. The most common glowing plankton are called Dinoflagellates. 

They’re like tiny, single-celled plants known as fire algae. When you see sparks of light in the water, like glowing waves in neon blue, especially at night, it’s likely caused by these tiny glowing marine animals called dinoflagellates or other small creatures like copepods.

Dinoflagellates can move with the help of special protein strands on their bodies called flagella in the dark ocean.

I’ll Tell You Where to Find Bioluminescent Plankton

You can discover glowing plankton in different parts of the world’s oceans, especially during night. These fascinating tiny creatures are mainly found in oceans and seas and sometimes even in big freshwater areas. Where they are found depends on things like how warm the water is, how salty it is, the nutrients around it, and if there are animals that might eat them.

You can visit the coastal waters of Maldives, Thailand, and Puerto Rico in a beautiful blue-green glow when the water is disturbed, like by waves or movement. You can see it in the Arabian Sea.

Sometimes, the glow happens now and then; in other places, there are lots of glowing plankton together. In certain areas, only specific types of glowing plankton are found there, making each place special and different.

There are a lot of organisms that are bioluminescent and produce light, which looks like a glow. Various reasons for these creatures and different circumstances might force bioluminescent algae, plant plankton, or other such organisms to do so. 

But the sight is absolutely stunning, and it is a sight to behold when you see a wave of bright, beautiful, sparkling light in the deep blue oceans.

Last Updated on May 20, 2024 by Pragya