Bioluminescence lights up beaches along Chennai’s coast
Bioluminescence has been observed along the Chennai coast, drawing crowds to witness the glowing blue waves. Ecologists attribute the phenomenon to marine organisms like dinoflagellates, which are known to exhibit this trait in deeper waters.
Why it matters
The recurring appearance of this natural phenomenon highlights local ecological shifts and provides a rare opportunity for public engagement with marine biology.
At around 3:30 a.m. last Tuesday, surfer Saravanan. B, who runs Saro Surf School, was just making his way into the sea when he spotted bioluminescence; the waves off Kovalam beach lit up in electric blue. Since word of this rather unusual sighting made the rounds, many inquisitive onlookers have been gathering along the shore from dusk till dawn to catch a fleeting glimpse of this phenomenon first hand.
“I spotted it in 2024 too, and it was such a spectacular sight,” said Mr. Saravanan. “I have witnessed it multiple times this month. But we can’t plan an outing around it because it is unpredictable. Last night, we went to see it, but it did not make an appearance,” he added.
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