Bay of Puck glows turquoise at night
PAP © 2012 /
At night in Rewa the Bay of Puck glows with a turquoise light. The reason could be Dinoflagellate, in which the movement of water results in bioluminescence - told PAP Dr. Krzysztof E. Skóra of the Marine Station of the University of Gdańsk Institute of Oceanography in Hel.
According to the scientist, flashing streaks of light have been seen over the last few days after dark, in the coastal waters of the small Rewa Bay.
"We do not know exactly what glows this year. We assume that they could be Dinoflagellate, because they were always the reason. But the samples have been sent to Gdynia for analysis" - said the scientist in an interview with PAP. In previous years, turquoise flashes in the Gulf of Puck were caused Dinoflagellate with the Latin species name Alexandrium ostenfeldii.
Dinoflagellate are microalgae that can be seen only under a microscope. Irritated with the motion of water, movement of passing water fish, crustaceans or human hands and feet they flash turquoise light. "If there are millions of these organisms, the effect is clearly visible" - said the expert.
How can we see shining waters? "Quietly approach the shore or walk on a pier and throw a handful of sand into the water or stomp your foot. Fleeing fish will flash bright streaks like underwater flares" - advised Dr Skóra.
The oceanologist explained in millions of Dinoflagellate micro-organisms in water depths the substance called luciferin in a split second transform in luciferase into oxyluciferin and flashes a cold light of bioluminescence.
He emphasised that the phenomenon of "shining", common in the seas warm, is a unique event in the Baltic Sea: it only began to occur in 1997. The scientist does not know how phytoplankton could get to the Polish bay. He assumes that in favourable conditions it can pour in with the North Sea waters, or it could have been unwittingly brought to Poland by humans. The expert explained that micro-organisms from different parts of the world can be transported in ships\' ballast water or in leaking surfboards.
Glowing microalgae need favorable conditions to survive in Polish waters, such as heat and certain minerals. Another obstacle is the mixing of water, which causes the algae to scatter and the glare is not noticeable anymore. Krzysztof Skóra noted that if the conditions in the Rewa Bay do not change rapidly, we can observe glow for some time.
The oceanologist warned that the luminescent microorganisms may be toxic.
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