Table of contents:
Video: What happens during a unique light show created by nature itself
2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55
This year, visitors to California's beaches had the opportunity to observe a rare and simply stunning event - the bright blue glow of bioluminescent waves. Fans of walks on the night beach were able to take plenty of pictures and shoot a rare phenomenon with their phones, and surfers, having tried to ride such waves, admit that the light from them is so bright that it even dazzles.
An incredible sight
Back in late April, crowds of people began to flock to the beaches. The light show began here in March, but before that, residents were sitting in their homes due to the outbreak of coronavirus infection. So the start of the gorgeous glow coincided with the opening of the beaches after almost a month of closure due to the pandemic.
Such an amazing event takes place on the coast of Southern California every few years. Local residents recall that the last time it could be seen in 2012.
What Science Says
The reason for the glow of the waves is the simplest living organisms dinoflagellates, which are also called dinophytic algae. They are capable of bioluminescence and form "water bloom" during rapid reproduction.
During the day, clusters of dinoflagellates flock to the ocean surface to capture sunlight, at concentrations of up to 20 million cells per liter. Because of this, the water begins to cast a reddish-brown color, and this natural phenomenon is called "red tide". And at night, the waves sparkle with neon blue light. By the way, not all "red tides" produce bioluminescence.
The recent California event was one of the largest "light shows" seen here in the past.
“The brightest glow can be seen about two hours after sunset,” said the Scripps Institute of Oceanography at the University of California, San Diego.
Waves look especially impressive when they break and foam. Even in the sand, algae washed ashore by the waves can illuminate paths for beach visitors.
By the way, some of the red tides that occur on our planet (especially those that occur in the Mediterranean Sea) harm the life of marine life, as they are caused by species of microorganisms that produce harmful or even deadly toxins. In California, most of the blooming algae species are harmless and even beneficial, as they provide food for the inhabitants of the deep sea.
However, as the "red wave" fades away, decomposing algae leaves behind a strong odor, as this process reduces the amount of oxygen in the water, and this can lead to the death of some fish.
Such a bright "show" has not been seen for a long time
Locals claim that this year the sea sparkled especially brightly, which may be due to heavy rains, which caused the algae bloom.
Californian photographer Patrick Coyne has captured dolphins swimming at night in glowing waters - when dinoflagellate cascades are disrupted by waves or moving objects in the water (dolphins in particular), two chemicals produced by algae (the enzyme luciferase and the compound luciferin) react with a flash of electric blue colors. In his Instagram post, Coyne described his experience as "one of the most magical nights of his life."Surfer Blair Conklin says that when he glided over the ocean at night, the seaweed played the role of a torch.
The "phosphorescent" waves have worried locals as the light show has drawn crowds, which goes against the precautions associated with the pandemic. Surfers and ordinary onlookers, forgetting that it is better not to gather in large companies, began to simply enjoy the freedom and stunning glow.
By the way, the authorities are allowed to swim, surf and move on water in kayaks and kayaks …
Scientists have been observing the so-called red tides in a large section of the United States from Baja California to the coast of Los Angeles since the early 1900s. This phenomenon can last from several days to several months.
“Interestingly, there’s no way to predict how long this phenomenon will last or when it’s next,” says Michael Laz, bioluminescence expert at the Scripps Institute of Oceanography Institute.
Recommended:
10 historical cases where nature itself put an end to political conflict
Sometimes it seems that nature gets tired of endless wars and human conflicts and intervenes to end the bloodshed. Throughout history, armies and fleets have met in battle, but in the end they had to fight hurricanes and storms, rather than each other. Nature can "disperse" the opposing sides, forcing one of them or both to retreat, or even completely inflicts a crushing defeat on people
Collectible dolls by Zemfira Dziova: images inspired by nature itself
Probably, we are all a little tired of shocking, but not pleasing dolls (such as Amanda Louise Spade's stunningly disgusting dolls), or of faceless Barbie clones and the like. This confirms the increased interest in designer dolls, which can give odds to any conveyor Barbie. Collectible dolls from Zemfira Dzova are a real work of art. On each of them, their creator works long and painstakingly in order to breathe life and an individual into the formless material
What Happens In The Huge Georgia Aquarium During A Pandemic When There Are No Visitors
As you know, usually large aquariums and zoos have huge traffic. The Georgia State Aquarium, which is both scientific, educational and recreational, is no exception. However, now, like many other organizations with a large number of visitors, it is closed due to the coronavirus epidemic. However, its corridors were by no means empty. Now, not people are watching the inhabitants of the deep sea through the glass, but completely different guests - kittens and puppies
Nature Preserve: a series of exclusive jewelery gifts from nature itself
Nature is not only the most talented artist, designer and sculptor, but also the best ideological inspiration for a creative person. It is not without reason that many painters prefer plein air to work in a studio or workshop, and in search of a muse they go to a park, forest or the nearest square within the city. Israeli designer Gur Kimel is familiar with such a muse. After all, it was she who gave him inspiration to develop an amazing collection of natural jewelry Nature Preserve, where everyone is
Unique retro photographs taken during the fighting during the war in Afghanistan
For 10 years of war, Afghanistan passed at least three million people from the post-Soviet space, of which 800 thousand participated in hostilities. This war still resonates with pain not only in Afghan families, but also in the families of all those who had to fulfill their international duty far from their homeland. This review contains the most interesting photos that can tell a lot about those terrible days of the war