Bioluminescence
Bioluminescence is light generated by a biochemical reaction in a living organism. The process generally involves a light-emitting molecule called luciferin, which combines with oxygen to generate a molecule called oxyluciferin (often with the help of an enzyme called luciferase) and releases light (commonly referred to as "cold light" because of minimal infrared heat emission). This phenomenon has evolved independently multiple times in various organisms. The glowing waves of Chennai happen to be an easy-to-see kind of bioluminescence.
The Chennai connection: "sea sparkle" on our own coast
Chennai has had numerous memorable bioluminescence events, reports the article. On more than one occasion, people on East Coast Road beaches have been amazed to see blue, sparkling waves rolling towards the shore: blue waves in Thiruvanmiyur, Palavakkam and Injambakkam. One reported seeing the sparkles from Kovalam to Thiruvanmiyur. The culprit is a kind of tiny plankton called Noctiluca scintillans, or the 'sea sparkle' that glows when agitated. Be it high tide, low tide, storm or a change in salinity and temperature in the water, they all excite them to produce a dazzling effect. When the wave hits the shallow waters, the plankton light up, resulting in blue electric streaks in the white crests of the waves.
Why is it happening in Chennai? From Researchers
Rain and Runoff. One reason given was after a particularly rainy period in Chennai. A local weathercaster even mentioned that according to a study, blooms were connected to rainfall, lower temperatures and nutrient runoff. Another coastal researcher mentioned that they tend to bloom in areas with oxygen deficits and enriched nitrates and phosphorus. According to a travel guide, the ghostly glow is usually seen after dark, usually until late October. The northeast monsoon's arrival time coincides with when Chennai's looking for them. NCCR researchers at Pallikaranai have been studying the sudden explosion of Noctiluca scintillans on the Chennai coast (on 17, 18, and 19 August 2019).
Starting with the time of the northeast monsoon, residents of Thiruvanmiyur and Neelankarai saw stretches of the beach glow in October 2024. Researchers suggested that the heavy rainfall brought nutrients into coastal waters and lowered sea surface temperature, which created favorable conditions for Noctiluca to multiply.
A beautiful sight, but not a good sign?
Marine experts have said the beautiful scene is not a good sign for marine life and is an indicator of climate change, which could affect the long-term health of the ecosystem. The same researcher added that blooms like this have been blamed for fisheries collapse in some cases. Noctiluca is not known to be toxic like some other harmful algal bloom species are. Still, dense blooms can cause a drop in oxygen in the water, which is important for fishing communities along the coast of Tamil Nadu.
Places in India
Chennai is not the only place to witness bioluminescence in India.
- Kerala backwaters around Kochi can glow with plankton at night
- Karnataka's coast, for example, around Udupi and Mattu, has also reported glowing waters
- The Andaman Islands are popularly known for this glowing plankton, including night kayaking spots
The glow is certainly spectacular, but a bloom can be a bad sign. One coastal researcher pointed out that these plankton blooms tend to occur in areas with oxygen deficiency and often high concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus. Further evidence of the potential threat of this bloom comes from nearby waters of the Gulf of Mannar. There, researchers observed an association of blooms with mass coral deaths and fish kills. In 2019, researchers reported severe coral mortality and fish kills in the Gulf of Mannar. The phenomenon recurred in 2021 and 2022. However, the blooms near Chennai are not the same as those offshore; nevertheless, these blooms could also have a negative impact on the coastal ecosystem of the Bay of Bengal.
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