Every time the waves roll in, a secluded beach on Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives comes alive with the presence of countless bioluminescent plankton.
On a moonless night, if you step onto the beach of Vaadhoo Island in the Maldives, you will feel tiny glowing creatures clinging to your feet. Additionally, you will notice the water shimmering with light.
The concentration of bioluminescent plankton creates a sparkling effect on
the beach of Vaadhoo Island during a moonless night.
Many might think that such a spectacle only occurs in science fiction films or animated shows, but in reality, it happens regularly on Vaadhoo Island, according to New Scientist. The glowing water is caused by the presence of plankton that can bioluminesce in high densities. These could be single-celled organisms or creatures from the crustacean family.
The ability to glow helps these animals escape the notice of predators. When predators spot the light from their prey, they must also be cautious, as their enemies may be drawn to the source of the light. Therefore, this luminescence assists these tiny creatures in warding off threats.
The light emitted by animals is produced by luciferin, a pigment, and an enzyme called luciferase. Luciferin reacts with oxygen, while luciferase accelerates this reaction. A variety of species—such as fireflies, coelacanths, and jellyfish—utilize luciferin and luciferase to produce light.
