Bioluminescence

Some of my colleagues and I had a very special treat last night. We witnessed an amazing swath of bioluminescence off the stern of the R/V Thomas G. Thompson (light blue in image below). According to Marnie Jo Zirbel, a biological oceanographer onboard, the bioluminescence was the result of light emitted by dinoflagellates in the water column. Dinoflagellates are single-celled organisms that can photosynthesize, give off light as we witnessed, and eat other cells!

Dinoflagellates produce an enzyme, luciferase, and a substrate, luciferin. When the two react inside the cell, they create light in the water column that we had the pleasure of seeing last night. In addition to the light emitted by the dinoflagellates, we saw brighter flashes of light emitted by jellies. It was an amazing exhibit of the wonders of ocean life, that is always a bonus gift while at sea.

Courtesy Trenity Ford, Oklahoma State University

Courtesy Trenity Ford, Oklahoma State University