Bioluminescent red tide in San Diego, at twilight. Photo source: ©© Kevin Baird
Excerpts;
It has long been known that distinctive blue flashes, a type of bioluminescence, that are visible at night in some marine environments are caused by tiny, unicellular plankton known as dinoflagellates. However, a new study has, for the first time, detailed the potential mechanism for this bioluminescence.
This research illuminates the novel mechanisms underlying a beautiful natural phenomenon in our oceans, and enhances our understanding of dinoflagellates, some of which can produce toxins that are harmful to the environment…
Relatively short 1/2 second exposure of the red tide bioluminescence in San Diego, La Jolla Shores, at dark. Caption and Photo source: ©© Kevin Baird