Bioluminescence: v5

GLOWING PHYTOPLANKTON: When waves glow and you see your footprints light up, the blue-green light is caused by a bloom-a sudden growth– of phytoplankton called…

GLOWING PHYTO-PLANKTON: All species of dinoflagellates glow when agitated.

GLOWING PHYTO-PLANKTON: The glow of dinoflagellates is caused by the same two proteins that fireflies use, luciferin and luciferase. 

GLOWING PHYTO-PLANKTON: There are 2 million species of dinoflagellates!

GLOWING PHYTO-PLANKTON: Diatoms have glass-skeletons! Crazy! They take the prize for the wildest one-celled wonders of the waters!

MILKY SEAS: Milky Seas are where large areas of seawater are filled with bioluminescent bacteria or dinoflagellates. This causes the ocean to glow a beautiful blue at night.

MILKY SEAS: Milky Seas have been sighted 235 times in the last 100 years in the state of Indiana. These “Milky Seas” can cover 6000 square miles!

MILKY SEAS: When the bioluminescent bacteria or dinoflagellates causing Milky Seas die, there is a poison that goes into the water. This happens from having too much dead material in the water. 

ANGLER FISH: Angler fish are found in the deep ocean. They are the fish with the lit-up fishing pole growing off their head. They can range form a few inches to over 3 feet in size.

ANGLER FISH: Tuna fish have little food in the 3000-foot depths where they live. Their DNA, however, is coded for an interesting hunting behavior that minimizes the amount of energy they have to use to get around. They lie around and let the currents carry them-and often it’s upside down! This lie-and-wait strategy is used most of the time.