Dinoflagellates are a type of phytoplankton that thrive in warm, tropical waters. These tiny organisms have a unique organelle called a luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce light. When a dinoflagellate is disturbed, either by movement or by a change in water chemistry, it releases a burst of light that can last for several seconds. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence.
Dinoflagellates are a type of phytoplankton that thrive in warm, tropical waters. These tiny organisms have a unique organelle called a luciferin, which reacts with oxygen to produce light. When a dinoflagellate is disturbed, either by movement or by a change in water chemistry, it releases a burst of light that can last for several seconds. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence.