‘Blue tide’ spotted along Juhu, Devgad, Ratnagiri beaches

This phenomenon occurs when luminescent marine life makes the sea appear a deep shade of blue. It occurs when phytoplankton, commonly known as dinoflagellates, produce light through chemical

What is the blue tide?

• This phenomenon occurs when luminescent marine life makes the sea appear a deep shade of blue.
• It occurs when phytoplankton, commonly known as dinoflagellates, produce light through chemical reactions in proteins.
• Waves disturb these unicellular microorganisms and make them release blue light.
• The spectacle has been witnessed from November to January and, in some instances, even in March.

Where it has been observed?

• The sight has been observed at Mumbai and Dakshina Kannada-Udupi coast.
• It has also been seen across Maldives, Vietnam, Indonesia, the USA, and Australia.

What could be the reasons behind this phenomenon?

• Eutrophication: Eutrophication – the reduction of oxygen in the water, which makes the phytoplanktons pretty dominant. 
• Light pollution: One reason is light pollution on beaches.
  • The light is produced when the organisms are churned or mechanically stimulated.
  • The light spreads further when waves surf up along the rocks.