Unraveling the Mysteries of Ocean Bioluminescence: Exploring the Summer Glow of Marine Life

Phytoplankton blooms, microscopic organisms critical to ocean life, are visible from space and contribute to the global carbon cycle. The composition of these blooms may be changing with warmer sea surface temperatures. Bioluminescence, a chemical reaction seen in marine organisms, causes light to emit from living things, creating dazzling displays in shallow waters. The North Sea is currently experiencing a bloom of phytoplankton, known as sea sparkle, resulting in a milky blue appearance. The best times to view bioluminescence are in the summer and fall on dark, cloudy nights. Researchers have found that phytoplankton blooms in the North Sea are starting later and lasting longer, possibly due to warmer sea surface temperatures.