Observation at Grayton Beach Last Night -- Any Ideas?

**Smiling JOe** · 08-21-2008, 06:10 AM

I've seen phosphorus light up the water in Cape San Blas (Bay side) when paddles push through the water, turning the water Lightning-Bug Hyper Green. However, until last night, I've never seen anything of the likes in South Walton. Went to the beach last night around 830pm, at Grayton. The stars were incredible, as the Moon had not yet appeared. Looking down at the sand where the water was washing on shore, we noticed what looked like stars, shining on the sand, but it wasn't reflections. Whatever it was, was glowing in the dark, like stars on the beach. I thought at first, maybe it is little sea shells which are full of phosphorus, because the glow lasted only for a second or two, before it seemingly disappeared under the sand. I trapped one glow in the dark spec, and examined it under the light. It looked like a very very tiny white fleck. I removed it from the light and it was still glowing green. I'm guessing the waves produced enough friction that the little flecks would glow, but when the wave went back out, the glowing stopped. Does anyone have a better idea of what we saw last night? Ever seen this here? It was magical.

**kurt** · 08-21-2008, 06:19 AM

Yes I have had nights like that where it's like stars above and stars underfoot.

**BeachSiO2** · 08-21-2008, 06:25 AM

I am pretty sure I know what they are and have seen them at Grayton also. They are a type of plankton (most likely dinoflagellates) and the bioluminescence you are seeing is a defense mechanism.

**upstatefl** · 08-21-2008, 06:49 AM

Good morning. sorry we didn't notice the spec's but we did talk about the stars being so nice .We had just left the beach around 8:25 in the only car on the beach,yes car Subaru. We had the best time on the beach last night. Any way wish we met you im here on sowal a lot but just lurke

**Jennifer Steele** · 08-21-2008, 06:56 AM

I have enjoyed this many times. It is magical.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-21-2008, 07:00 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

I am pretty sure I know what they are and have seen them at Grayton also. They are a type of plankton (most likely dinoflagellates) and the bioluminescence you are seeing is a defense mechanism.

Never heard of dinoflagellates, until now. Had to look them up. I read one statement that mentioned when the dinoflagellates reproduce in great numbers, it can lead to RedTide. I'll have to read more about that, as I only glanced at it. Not sure if was meaning that the conditions for thriving dinoflagellates and RedTide presence were the same, or if there was a cause and effect.

**tistheseason** · 08-21-2008, 07:17 AM

I remember seeing this as a little girl in Destin. It is amazing! Glad to know what it is. ..

**BeachSiO2** · 08-21-2008, 07:31 AM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

Happens every year but usually in June. It hasn't happened in the past years due to dredging and IMO that is what is also causing the red tides.

I was going to question you on how you came up with this but then I noticed the three key letters above.

I hope everyone realizes which member of your family is the expert on this subject.

**BeachSiO2** · 08-21-2008, 07:32 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

Never heard of dinoflagellates, until now. Had to look them up. I read one statement that mentioned when the dinoflagellates reproduce in great numbers, it can lead to RedTide. I'll have to read more about that, as I only glanced at it. Not sure if was meaning that the conditions for thriving dinoflagellates and RedTide presence were the same, or if there was a cause and effect.

Red tide is caused by a type of dinoflagellates, but not all dinoflagellates cause red tides.

**Smiling JOe** · 08-21-2008, 07:48 AM

BeachSi02, you mention that the glow was part of a defense mechanism. That doesn't seem to be like a stealth escape, and I would think that it would make them more likely to be seen, and eaten. Do you know how the defense system works? Does it also produce a bad taste/odor. I did notice that the beach smelled a little more fishy than usual last night.

**BeachSiO2** · 08-21-2008, 07:57 AM

Originally Posted by Smiling JOe

BeachSi02, you mention that the glow was part of a defense mechanism. That doesn't seem to be like a stealth escape, and I would think that it would make them more likely to be seen, and eaten. Do you know how the defense system works? Does it also produce a bad taste/odor. I did notice that the beach smelled a little more fishy than usual last night.

No, it is only a visual deterrent.

Two primary ways. First, it is intended to scare away things that use it as a food item. Kinda like saying "boo" in a dark room. Secondly, "the experts" think it may attract larger fish to eat the dino's predators. It's just like those Sargassum mats where you see larger fish circling the mats, looking for the smaller fish. The bioluminescence serve as a neon "Eat at Joe's" (pun intended) sign for bigger fish.

**Andy A** · 08-21-2008, 09:58 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Red tide is caused by a type of dinoflagellates, but not all dinoflagellates cause red tides.

Sir or Madam, you are a wealth of information for those of us who moved here to enjoy the Emerald Coast. Thank you so much for your wonderful, informative posts

**BeachSiO2** · 08-21-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Sir or Madam, you are a wealth of information for those of us who moved here to enjoy the Emerald Coast. Thank you so much for your wonderful, informative posts

It's sir (I guess

) and thank you for your kind words.

**Andy A** · 08-21-2008, 10:06 AM

I mean every word. It is always a joy and revelation to read your posts. Once again, thanks and please keep them coming.

**JUL** · 08-21-2008, 10:22 AM

That sounds really cool. I have never seen these. And now I can't wait .

**lennonsdarlin** · 08-21-2008, 10:28 AM

A friend of mine that grew up in Freeport, and was a hoodlum

,that now is part of WCSD

,said the lakes would turn flourescent when they dug the ditches to release them into the ocean

....at least 40 years ago ( before they knew better, of course)

**northshore** · 08-21-2008, 10:39 AM

Thanks for sharing.....would love to have seen that.

**Mango** · 08-21-2008, 11:10 AM

I had to look this up because I have seen it once and wondered myself. The only place else I have seen it is off Vieques where the whole bay is bioluminescent. Those are rare and only seen in Puerto Rico on the Caribbean side and a part of Jamaica. I went there to see it specifically (will never go back) It was beautiful, but I really didn't enjoy P.R.

Those dinoflagellates are called Prodinium bahamense and the ones prevalent in the Gulf are called Pyrocystis noctiluca.

Bioluminescent Plankton, Pyrocystis noctiluca
Identifiers: single-celled with paired, flagella
Status: abundant, common in Gulf of Mexico
Reproduction: by cell division
Adaptations: bioluminescent defense system
created by chemical reaction
Fun Facts: latin name = night light fire cell
exhibit limited mobility

A a marine dinoflagellate, capable of bioluminescence. During the day chloroplasts are distributed throughout the entire cell, then they migrate to the cell's center at night and create an emission (transformation of enzyme) or flashes of light. Many flashes can be generated in a single cell. In the summer P. noctiluca can undergo mass propagation (blooms). Countless light flashes from blooms make the sea glow at night. When disturbed (paddles, motors, zooplankton etc.), the plankton flash, resulting in light that deters predation from zooplankton and attracts larger predators (fish) to eat the zooplankton.

**jensieblue** · 08-21-2008, 11:14 AM

In my youth, I often saw the phospheresence in the surf along the West PCB, Grayton area. I remember it would usually be evident just after dusk when water was warm. I am not a biologist so my comments are on the beauty not the biology of the phenomenon. Good to hear it still occurs. I also recall it was an infrequent phenomenon so I considered myself very lucky when trips to the shore coincided with the glow. I wonder whether or not rainfall would dilute whatever it is and reduce the glow? I also have no idea whether this occurs elsewhere. I seem to recall reading about a similar phenomenon along the Carolina coast. Enjoy...

**truluv** · 08-21-2008, 12:04 PM

Lotsa big words in this thread. My big word for this phenomenon is superfantastic! Well, I guess that's two big words.

**dgsevier** · 08-21-2008, 02:11 PM

This is the most intelligent thread I've ever read on this forum. I've actually learned something other than who the corrupt local officials are. Thanks...

**firemanjimg** · 08-21-2008, 02:40 PM

Also known as "St. Elmo's Fire" to old time sailors.

**30A Skunkape** · 08-21-2008, 09:11 PM

pretty in any language

**Miss Critter** · 08-21-2008, 09:17 PM

Originally Posted by firemanjimg

Also known as "St. Elmo's Fire" to old time sailors.

I did not know that. I knew of it related to flying, and got to see it once in the cockpit. Way cool. This is truly a magical universe. It's nice to be reminded.

**jensieblue** · 08-22-2008, 08:18 AM

when the phospherence is evident, it is beautiful to let the waves wash over you. The glowing clings to your hair and body. Magical...It may be a plankton bloom of some kind

**Wekick** · 08-22-2008, 09:17 AM

One time we were walking on a sandbar by Eastern Lake and our foot prints lit up! We have always noticed if you rub the "wet sand" the "stars" appear but that was exceptional. A few weeks ago when we were there all around Eastern Lake, there were 1" little clear colorless jelly animals that glowed.

**BeachSiO2** · 08-22-2008, 09:28 AM

Originally Posted by Wekick

One time we were walking on a sandbar by Eastern Lake and our foot prints lit up! We have always noticed if you rub the "wet sand" the "stars" appear but that was exceptional. A few weeks ago when we were there all around Eastern Lake, there were 1" little clear colorless jelly animals that glowed.

Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).

**Mango** · 08-22-2008, 09:57 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).

Could you get a glow in the dark sting?

**BeachSiO2** · 08-22-2008, 09:59 AM

Originally Posted by Mango

Could you get a glow in the dark sting?

Ctenophores don't sting. When I was taking classes one summer on Dauphin Island, one guy made a girl mad and her and her friends collected a bunch of them and put them in his bed. It was quite a little excitement when he crawled in bed after going out drinking.

**Mango** · 08-22-2008, 10:08 AM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Ctenophores don't sting. When I was taking classes one summer on Dauphin Island, one guy made a girl mad and her and her friends collected a bunch of them and put them in his bed. It was quite a little excitement when he crawled in bed after going out drinking.

Got pics?

**BeachSiO2** · 08-22-2008, 10:12 AM

Originally Posted by Mango

Got pics?

Nope, it was many years ago, but he watched his actions after that. By the way, IT WAS NOT ME!

**BeachSiO2** · 08-22-2008, 10:40 AM

Originally Posted by greenroomsurfer

Watch where you stick your fingers!

I knew I could count on you!

**Everytime** · 08-22-2008, 09:34 PM

Originally Posted by BeachSiO2

Those were most likely ctenophores (comb jellies). You can actually stick your finger inside of them and at night time it looks cool with glowing fingers (at least to some people).

I saw hundreds of these washing up one night in late June or early July in the Eastern Lake area. You can see them flashing in the surf washing up, then they fade into the wet sand. They are kind of like the surf's version of lightning bugs.