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Bioluminescent Coral (Fungia) |
Studying the phenomenon and potential of bioluminescent organisms, including marine species, has numerous applications in various fields of life. For example, it can be used to predict past climate change processes or to classify coral systems based on their ability to absorb ultraviolet (UV) rays and emit electromagnetic waves.
Particularly, there are applications in medicine, through the response of cells to UV activation to detect and “mark” abnormal changes in the body, such as in tumors…
In Vietnam, the research project titled “Studies on Bioluminescent Marine Organisms Activated by Ultraviolet Light in Nha Trang Bay” conducted by four researchers from the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, including Nguyễn Văn Lực, Nguyễn Tác An, Nguyễn Phi Uy Vũ, and Hoàng Đức Lưu, has recently been published as the first study in this field.
The research on bioluminescent marine organisms has been conducted since 2004, involving three field surveys around the islands of Hòn Mun, Hòn Tre, Hòn Miếu, and Hòm Tằm, collecting and testing a total of 92 marine organism samples; among them, there are 57 live coral samples, 32 species of fish living in coral reefs, and 3 samples of sea anemones…
In Nha Trang Bay, particularly around Hòn Mun, there are over 350 types of coral, sea anemones, and hundreds of fish species inhabiting the coral reefs… However, bioluminescent research has only been conducted on 92 types as mentioned, according to the director of the Nha Trang Institute of Oceanography, Nguyễn Tác An:
“Gradually, we may be able to study all, but due to research investment capacity, initially, we could only proceed to that extent. Even the selection of marine organisms for experimentation must consider both the survival ability and the research needs to minimize failures and costs.”
The scientists at the Institute of Oceanography have conducted research in a “Vietnamese style.” Mr. Nguyễn Tác An stated: “The type of lights we have used is no different from the lights used in current music venues. Overseas, thanks to many suitable and modern tools, the same species, when illuminated, emits a lot of radiation, creating very beautiful images….”
From the results achieved, the Institute of Oceanography continues to conduct more in-depth research on bioluminescent marine organisms in Nha Trang Bay to “not only affirm the ability to access new technologies worldwide but also to build a foundation for us to ‘speak out,’ connect, cooperate, and exchange with other countries and laboratories around the world, and gain access to their technologies.”
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| Bioluminescent Coral (Montipora – Caribbean Sea, USA) | Brine Shrimp Hermodice carunculata (Florida) |
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| Bioluminescent Sea Anemone (Phymanthus crucifer – Caribbean Sea, USA) | Bioluminescent Sea Anemone (Condylactis gigantea – Caribbean Sea, USA) |
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| Bioluminescent Sea Anemone (at the sandy bottom, Caribbean Sea, USA) | Bioluminescent Sea Anemone (Phymanthus crucifer – Pedro Bank, Jamaica) |
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Bioluminescent Coral Acropora | Bioluminescent Coral (Diploria strigosa – Caribbean Sea, USA) |
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Bioluminescent Coral Montastraea cavernosa (Honduras) | Bioluminescent Coral Agaricia sp. (Honduras) |
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| Bioluminescent Coral (Caribbean Sea, USA) | Bioluminescent Coral (Montastraea cavernosa – Caribbean Sea, USA) |
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| Bioluminescent Coral (Noumea Museum – New Caledonia) | Bioluminescent Coral (Noumea Museum – New Caledonia) |
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| Bioluminescent Plate Coral Leptoseris cucullata (Honduras) | Bioluminescent Hydroid Tubularia sp. (Massachusetts) |
PHAN SÔNG NGÂN
