Bioluminescence By: Robin Frame SCM 330 Winter 2008 What is bioluminescence? Light given off by an organism Occurs at all depths in all the oceans Most occurs within the twilight zone of the ocean, where bioluminescence is the primary source of light Range of organisms including: bacteria, coral, shrimp, squid, jellies, fish Why be bioluminescent? Finding food Protection, avoiding being eaten Finding a mate Finding Food Lures or barbells flashlights Protection avoiding being eaten Cloud to distract or temporarily blind predator Burglar alarm Camouflage Finding a Mate Size and location of bioluminescent organs Flashing patterns Specific to individual species or sex of the species What causes bioluminescence? Same process as any other light production Electron is stimulated and as it moves back to its original energy level light is emitted Butbioluminescence is 100% efficient, meaning no energy is lost as heat Measuring Bioluminescence Bathyphotometer Water flows into a light tight chamber Turbulence is created to stimulate bioluminescence Light emitted is recorded to get a measurement Different organisms produce different flashes Quick onset then exponential decay Residence time in chamber determines how much of flash is measured HIDEX-BP Standardized instrument Water flows into chamber through grid which stimulates bioluminescence Fiber optics measure light produced HIDEX-BP High Intake Defined Excitation Bathyphotometer Vertical profiler High intake flow Long residence time Faster profile rate HIDEX-BP Results Shows measurements according to depth BIOLITE Measures bioluminescence in surface waters Continuous sampling Mounted on bow of ships Easy to operate BIOLITE Results Shows bioluminescence at the surface TOWDEX Towed by a ship Combined vertical and horizontal measurements Can be programmed or manually operated TOWDEX Results Shows bioluminescence according to depth and location Applications Assessing toxins in the water -Dinoflagellates are highly sensitive so level can be detected before they are fatal Detecting flow and distinguishing between laminar and turbulent flow -Dinoflagellates are stimulated by flow -Different flows result in different intensity bioluminescence