This week, beachgoers spotted bright blue glowing waves off the Southern California coastline.
The bioluminescent wave, which turns the ocean red during the day and glows neon blue at night, has been spotted over the past week on the shores of several California cities, including the coastlines of Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Oxnard, Malibu and Diego. reportedly being
“There have been better years, but this year, at least so far this week, has been pretty positive.”[luminsecent]said Marc Girardeau, a nature photographer who runs the website Orange County Outdoors.
“The main beach has some pools that fill up with sand at high tide, but the water stays there when the tide goes out. And when you’re inside, they’re very brightly lit.”
Girardeau, who works on a whale-watching boat in Newport Beach, noticed on Sunday that the sea looked brown and red during the day, and later proved his intuition that bioluminescence had returned. Having documented the shimmering water surface year after year since Super His Bloom in 2020, he and his photographer partner Patrick Coyne have not hesitated to capture even more stunning images.
Girardeau shared photos and videos on his website and social media platforms.
“I was surprised because I’d never seen anything like this before. I thought it was a very rare phenomenon,” said Girardeau. “It felt very bright.”
How does bioluminescence make waves glow at night?
Bioluminescence is the most common chemical reaction in marine organisms that causes the organism to emit light. When these creatures are moved by waves or the paddles of kayaks and canoes, they can see light. The bioluminescence of most marine and terrestrial organisms appears blue-green, but some terrestrial species such as fireflies, beetle larvae, and even mushrooms also emit yellow.
What species cause bioluminescence waves?
According to one researcher, high densities of Ringrodinium polyedra (L. polyedra), a plankton species known for its neon blue glow, cause the spectacle. 2020 report By the Scripps Institute of Oceanography and the Jacobs School of Engineering at the University of California, San Diego.
This species is a type of dinoflagellate, a single-celled organism with two flagella. Dinoflagellates and diatoms are her two main types of phytoplankton, according to Phytoplankton. National Marine Service.
As major producers of oxygen, phytoplankton contribute to the global carbon cycle and are therefore an essential part of making our planet livable.
Phytoplankton can explode over days to weeks, according to NASA.
clock:Florida kayakers capture video of dolphins swimming in bioluminescent waters for food
When and where can you find bioluminescence?
The best times to see bioluminescence are in the summer and on dark, cloudy nights before the moon rises or after the moon sets. National Park Service.
The abundance of phytoplankton in the Gulf of Alaska is due to nutrient-rich waters that provide fertile conditions for the species. NASA.
Notable spots to see bioluminescence in popular water bodies in the United States include: Tomales Bay State Park in Northern California, Vieques National Wildlife Refuge in Puerto Rico, Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary in Washington and nearby bays Acadia National Park in Maine.This phenomenon can be seen everywhere National Seashore Coastlineaccording to the National Park Service.
Girardeau recommends checking several beaches where outbreaks have been reported and staying at each for a while to determine if you can see them.
What’s the best way to see bioluminescence on the beach?
Girardeau said eyes need to get used to the bioluminescence because some waves have a faint glow at night. He also recommends developing patience.
“I get messages all the time that they went to the beach and stood there for about five minutes, didn’t see anything and left,” Girardeau said. “It depends on the set, so I have to hang around there for a while.”
At high tide, Girardeau added, the glow fades. He also said that he did see glowing waves just after sunset, but noticed they were more pronounced after midnight.
Is it safe to swim in bioluminescence?
Ringrodinium polyedra can produce yesotoxin, a compound that acts as a neurotoxin in some parts of the Mediterranean. But locals don’t produce yesotoxin, according to a 2020 University of California, San Diego report.
“But since some people are sensitive to inhaling the air associated with red tide, the microbes must be producing other compounds that could affect human health,” the report said. says. “In general, during red tide, there is a large amount of dissolved matter and particulate matter in the water, and the associated microbial activity is high. Whether or not to enter the water is a personal choice, but public health concerns related to red tide are important. There are no warnings above.”
