Bioluminescent Plankton Turns Waves Blue Near Beach In Mexico

A handful of people walking along a beach in Mexico were treated to a rare and impressive show when the waters of the sea turned fluorescent blue for the first time in 60 years.

This strange glow is the work of bioluminescent plankton hanging about near to the shore as the waves lapped against the beach.

It's a by-product of a biochemical reaction that was triggered by the microorganisms just off the shore of the Puerto Marqués beach in Acapulco.

While those who've seen it online have been quick to say this strange sight has been caused by a lack of human activity due to the coronavirus lockdown allowing nature to flourish once again, marine biologists have said this is not the case.

One such biologist called Enrique Ayala Duval explains the real science behind it.

He told Sabersfin.com: "Bio-luminescence is the light produced as a result of a biochemical reaction in which most of the time luciferin [protein], molecular oxygen and ATP [adenosine triphosphate] take part, which react by means of the enzyme luciferase in the following way: oxygen oxidizes luciferin, luciferase accelerates the reaction, and ATP provides the energy for the reaction, producing noticeable water and light at night."

Righto, that clears that up, then.

He continued: "There is a hypothesis that the bio-luminescence that exists today is the result of evolution.

"Initially, when the Earth's atmosphere had an almost zero concentration of oxygen and oxygen was gradually increasing due to the increasing presence of photosynthetic organisms, organisms were released from oxygen, which was then toxic to them with the bio-luminescence reaction producing water."

Of course, not all the humans are gone. One person couldn't resist jumping straight into the waves and getting among the plankton.

Putting aside the fact that bathing in the ocean is currently banned in Mexico, that's a pretty dumb move, and they've been rightly called out on social media for their actions.

One person said: "The phytoplankton natural spectacle in Puerto Marqués #Acapulco is impressive, it is an effect created by microorganisms from the sea. What is bad is that the human being will always be there to ruin everything."

Anyway, let's just try to enjoy the spectacle. It could be another 60 years before it returns to this particular beach.

Featured Image Credit: Twitter/Edberd Molina

Topics: Science, World News, Interesting, Weird

Tom Wood

Tom Wood is a LADbible journalist and Twin Peaks enthusiast. Despite having a career in football cut short by a chronic lack of talent, he managed to obtain degrees from both the University of London and Salford. According to his French teacher, at the weekend he mostly likes to play football and go to the park with his brother. Contact Tom on [email protected]

@TPWagwim