Incredible bioluminescent waves
This natural phenomenon was observed on the island of Mudhdhoo in the Baa atoll.
Bioluminescence occurs when millions of organisms accumulate along a beach.
Interviewed by the Huffington Post, biologist James Morin from Cornell University explains that these are not phytoplankton, as you might expect, but tiny crustaceans known as ostracods.
Some of these ostracods have bioluminescent organs that flicker for a minute or more.
The magnitude of the phenomenon was photographed by William Ho in the resort of Dusit Thani.
The organisms are stimulated by the movement of waves or the pressure of footsteps on the sand.
By way of comparison, the glow emitted by phytoplankton is of the order of a second. And they are usually observed by stirring the seawater.
Bioluminescence occurs when millions of organisms accumulate along a beach.
Interviewed by the Huffington Post, biologist James Morin from Cornell University explains that these are not phytoplankton, as you might expect, but tiny crustaceans known as ostracods.
Some of these ostracods have bioluminescent organs that flicker for a minute or more.
The magnitude of the phenomenon was photographed by William Ho in the resort of Dusit Thani.
The organisms are stimulated by the movement of waves or the pressure of footsteps on the sand.
By way of comparison, the glow emitted by phytoplankton is of the order of a second. And they are usually observed by stirring the seawater.
More articles
Flights of mobula rays
Want to stand out from the crowd and attract the partner of your dreams?
Do as the mobula rays do!
Guillaume Néry Runnin' (Lose It All)
Congratulations to Guillaume Néry for his performance in the new video by Naughty Boy , Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin.