What If You Could Grow Bioluminescent Ocean Life at Home?

Bioluminescent life is found throughout our oceans, from the waves to the deep seafloor. I’m a marine biologist and today we’re going to grow our own ocean bioluminescence.

Chapters
00:00 - Dolphins Swimming in Bioluminescence
00:58 - Grow Your Own Bioluminescent Ocean Life
02:40 - Why Some Animals Produce Bioluminescence
03:32 - How Humans Use Bioluminescence
04:59 - I Grew Bioluminescent Plankton
05:52 - How Bioluminescence Works
06:25 - Is Bioluminescent Algae Safe
07:44 - KPassionate

Dolphins swim in bioluminescent waves, leaving a trail of light behind them. Surfers catch glowing waves. The images could be straight out of Avatar or Tron. But this isn’t CGI. These enchanting displays of light are created by living organisms through a chemical reaction called bioluminescence.

The most common bioluminescent organisms are marine plankton called dinoflagellates. The name comes from combining the Greek word dinos, which means whirling, with the Latin flagellum, meaning whip. This is a reference to the distinctive way they spin as they swim. Dinoflagellates live in the surface layers of the sea and are what’s creating the sparkling luminescence seen in these videos.

The specific type of bioluminescent dinoflagellate sent to me by PyroFarms is Pyrocystis fusiformis, also known PyroDinos. Scientists believe the production of bioluminescence by PyroDinos is a defense mechanism that startles grazing fish which would otherwise eat them, or possibly to illuminate grazers so that they are more visible to their own predators. This is known as the "Burglar Alarm" hypothesis.

Other animals use bioluminescence to attract mates, communicate with other animals, or to entice prey. A famous example is the angler fish that uses a luminescent fin ray as a lure. Squid and jellyfish have luminescent tentacles that draw in small fish just like moths to a flame.

Beyond their mesmerizing beauty, PyroDinos and other bioluminescent plankton potentially have some groundbreaking applications in the fields of architecture, medicine, and conservation. Because they can produce light, scientists are currently looking into how bioluminescent organisms could be used to make sustainable outdoor lighting in public spaces. They’re also developing indoor lighting for people’s homes. These bioluminescent-powered lamps are called “Biolamps.”

Cited Sources

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Music

NOAA Fisheries
NOAA Ocean Explorer
Cronin et al

#bioluminescence #bioluminescent #kpassionate

[ms.donaldson]

I'm on the East Coast and live with an interest in old history books. There are writings from the Civil War that say the Union Troops wounds were glowing blue in the darkness. Some say that bioluminescence was used since Ancient times.
Now, I want a tiny, little water ball!!!! Thanks for the video!

[coryart]

The bioluminescence I observed on some summer days, in the Puget sound area of WA state, was a white green color. My family always called it phosphorus. On rare occasions when it was particularly bright, throwing rocks or sand into the water was like fireworks, and walking along the shore in the wet sand would light up around your feet with each step. Probably the most amazing thing I ever saw was looking from a deck and seeing a seal below me chasing after two fish, but all I was looking at was the bioluminescence surrounding the seal and the two fish.

[Italonino]

The luminant KP enchants us yet again.

[Mcat]

So interesting again. I always learn something from your videos. When you said 'Can you see this?' I was so absorbed I automatically said 'ooh, yes'. Don't think you heard me, though😂

[faithcrisis]

I live in Florida and our red tide situation is insane. It kills so many species and is extremely disgusting smelling. It's so toxic, people who never had allergies will be affected by this like a bad pollen bloom

[animistchannel]

Beautiful gardening experiment, and thanks for the science information and precautions. Loved the palantir joke at the end!

[waynemoy]

What an interesting topic this week, as always you teach us amazing facts.

[KarolM]

I wish that bio orb would stay lit up all night without shaking..would be so cool on my nightstand. I honestly don't trust myself to always pick it up and shake it.. I'd be afraid of dropping it which is a real possibility with me😂

[John_Weiss]

What's the care and maintenance like on that Bio-Orb, BTW?

[BeYou-Butterfly]

Could make the coolest nightlight ever!

[winterfoxcloud]

that is actually so cool - i would play w/ it in the dark like a weirdo every night 🤣

[Calvin.The.Unfindable]

this seems really cool. i do have a small question.. if the bioluminescence only shows at certain times, and movements - of waves or similar. how long will they last in your orb, is it not a living thing? does it not need like, refreshed water, or tides? does it eat anything? this really intrigued me, but left me with a lot of questions. 😃

[FendertheBender]

Wow, that's so cool! How long do they live and produce the light though?

[doyleuboldi]

Hi KP. I don't think you would be a wizard, you would be a Sorceress :) love the video 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[neoplan]

You just ruined your cover: in reality you are Galadriel and this is your phial.... 😉🙃😂

[melange]

So how would you go about to set up a permanent ecosystem with these in a bigger aquarium?

[marymorgan]

It’s one of the coolest things in the ocean!👍😁

[kirar]

if i buy it and grow it is it safe to dump back in the ocean? or is it regionally specific?

[WakefieldTolbert]

Perhaps a different process to generate the light, but this video reminds me of fireflies, of "lightning bugs", as we used yo call them in the South.

Sadly, Ive not seen them in decades.

Perhaps development has something to do with this. But as a child I recall they lit up the wooded areas.

[wotterthose]

I wonder if you could dye the water red and make a remembral... At the very least you could make a light of elendil with it