‘Glow-in-the-dark algae may be a sign of global warming’

‘Glow-in-the-dark algae may be a sign of global warming’

Context

The Noctiluca algae, commonly known as sea tinkle, is a parasite and occurs in patches or ‘blooms’ in the northern Arabian Sea. Their bioluminescence has earned them the name ‘sea sparkle’

What has happened?

American and Indian scientists, after their year-long investigation into the phenomenon of glowing of Mumbai beaches, have concluded that it may be due to global warming and not industrial pollution as thought earlier

Why the presence of Noctiluca algae is worrisome?

These algae compete with fish for food and choke their supply. Noctiluca devours one of the most important planktonic organisms at the base of the fish-food chain, namely diatoms, and also excretes large amounts of ammonia, which is linked with massive fish mortality

How global warming is related to Noctiluca growth?

A warming ocean means greater temperature differences among layers of the sea water.

This slows the upward transport of nutrients like silicate from the ocean bottom, lowering its concentration at the surface. Diatoms growing in surface water need both sunlight and silicate to build their glass skeletons and thus, will fail to thrive when silicate is in short supply. On the other hand, Noctiluca remains unaffected by these changes and prey on the remaining diatoms