Red Tide By Day, Sea Sparkle By Night

Photo credit: Australian Geographic via LEENA WISBY/LENA’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

The microalgae, Noctiluca scintillans, is more commonly known as the red tide and people usually have nothing good to say about it.

That’s because it can have devastating effects on habitats and various species. For example if the blooms accumulate too much, when the microalgae begin to die they create too much ammonia and kill off the fish inhabiting the area.

But right now the residents of Hobart, Tasmania, (Australia) are singing a different tune when it comes to the effects of Noctiluca scintillans.

Photo credit: Australian Geographic via Julia Head 

Wild, right?

When the microalgae is disturbed after dark it gives off a blue bioluminescent glow that has earned it the “nighttime name” of sea sparkle!

Scientists and researches are continuously monitoring and studying the movements and effects of the red tide/sea sparkle. And by all means we hope they discover a way to keep the microalgae from killing the animals in its path, but these images are pretty darn cool.

Check them out:

Photo credit: Australian Geographic via LEENA WISBY/LENA’S LENS PHOTOGRAPHY

Photo credit: Australian Geographic via Julia Head 

Photo credit: Australian Geographic via Matthew Holz Photography

For more amazing photos of this wild phenomenon, please visit the Australian Geographic.