| | |
| |
| |
Bioluminescent Bay Puerto Rico
Frank LLosa
Keywords: dinoflagellates, Pyrodinium bahamense
Located on the island of Vieques, Puerto Rico, Mosquito Bay is known as
the World's Brightest Bioluminescent Bay. With only a few like it in
the world this one glows every night of the year unlike other
seasonal blooms.
As many as 750,000 Pyrodinium bahamense (dinoflagellates) per gallon
set off a spark of light when agitated. A swim in the bay is a
magical experience.
This unique bay has several fragile key ingredients to make the glow.
A narrow opening to the ocean maintains the necessary balance of
temperature and water flow. Secondly the surrounding mangroves
supply other key nutrients to feed the dinoflagellates. And a nearby salt
flat is also crucial in providing proper nutrients.
A similar bay died when developers decided to build a hotel in the
salt flats to better see the bay. Currently Vieques is fighting
a battle against a $10 million sports complex on the nearby
hillside. Run-off and light pollution are sure to hurt this fragile
ecosystem.
Several articles and the first ever photos of the bay can be seen at
http://www.biobay.com
|
Submitted: 23-Apr-98
The contents of this page are the sole responsibility of the person
named below.
|
.
| Research forum
| Bioluminescence Info Page.