alongthereef:

eduardo-:

lickypickystickyfree:

What is causing the waves in California to glow?

Glowing waves in California are attracting surfers and kayakers, but what is causing this eerie, otherworldly phenomenon?

It looks like something from the movie “Avatar”: ocean waters that light up like neon glow sticks when they splash. Beaches across southern California have recently been alight with eerie, glowing waves. What could be causing such an otherworldly phenomenon?  

A recent report by Discovery News has provided an answer. According to marine biologist Jorge Ribas, the glowing is caused by a massive red tide, or algal bloom, of bioluminescent phytoplankton called Lingulodinium polyedrum. The microorganisms emit light as a response to stress, such as when a wave crashes into the shore, a surfboard slashes through the surf, or a kayaker’s paddle splashes the water. The result is a wickedly cool glowing ocean.

check out the cool youtube videos here

Bioluminescent animals are the best. I love catching my Copepods emitting light during the night as they swim around in my picotope.

Eduardo, you can actually tell there’s glowing? Since they are spread out and pretty tiny, I figured you probably won’t be able to see the glow. (I’ll have to look at my tanks at night a little more closely!)

I actually didn’t know copepods emitted light, I always thought it was mostly diatoms

I experienced this on the shores of Cumberland River 7km out of Lorne, VIC, Australia. It was amazing. Still one of the best experiences of my life. They are so luminescent and beautifully blue. They mirror the stars, it’s so surreal.

(Source: lickystickypickywe)