Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru
Mangaluru, Oct 31: A rare natural spectacle of sea waves glowing blue at night has been witnessed at several beaches along the Mangaluru coast.
The phenomenon is not caused by any chemical pollution but is a natural occurrence. The blue glow is produced by a microscopic marine organism called Noctiluca scintillans, a type of dinoflagellate found in the sea.
The chemicals luciferin and luciferase present in the organism interact with oxygen to emit light. This phenomenon is known as bioluminescence or sea sparkle.
Experts believe that these organisms multiply in greater numbers when increased nutrients enter the sea after the monsoon, resulting in the striking blue glow seen along the coastline.