Visitors of Thiruvanmiyur beach, Chennai were treated by a pretty unusual sight over the weekend: Bioluminescence.
Beachgoers were left amazed by the bluish glow along the beach. However, scientists say the unexpected phenomenon may have been caused by either heavy rain and/or discharge of sewage into the ocean on Sunday night.
Because bioluminescence is a rare happening in Chennai pictures and videos of the phenomenon started making the rounds on the internet on Sunday.
Bioluminescence observed in Chennai, ECR beach.. pic.twitter.com/dBPjNMrMLw
— Pramod Madhav (@madhavpramod1) August 19, 2019
— Prem kumar (@PremduraiMech) August 19, 2019
2 hours of just sea gazing ?? pic.twitter.com/QNsSHrx2z9
— Livowksi (@ajaw_) August 18, 2019
Tiruvanmiyur Nights https://t.co/h4OkCcyGnz
— Babu Syed (@BeYess) August 19, 2019
Bioluminescence is a natural phenomenon caused by Noctiluca scintillans, a phytoplankton species that converts their electrical energy into light energy when washed ashore. Many marine organisms such as algae, jellyfish, sharks, worms, starfish and crustaceans exhibit this feature.
Bioluminescence is not a very common event in India, where only a few beaches are famous for their glow-in-the-dark waves, such as South Goa’s Betalbatim beach and Lakshadweep’s Kavaratti island. Around the world, the Blue Grotto in Malta is one of nine caves near the island of Filfa that produces a phosphorescent glow. Similar to the Blue Grotto are Bioluminescent Bay in Puerto Rico, San Diego in California, Navarre Beach in Florida, and Toyama Bay in Japan.
But, things are probably not so beautiful in reality. According to marine experts, the phenomenon is an indicator of climate change and can have an impact on deep sea fishing.
Read More:
- https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/chennai/bioluminescence-on-chennai-beach-awes-beach-goers-5916459/
- https://in.mashable.com/science/5893/bioluminescence-spotted-on-chennai-beach-the-internet-is-shocked
