Just Another Bioluminescent Tantrum…
Deni Cupit | @deni_cupit
What did the water say to the sand at the beach? Nothing, it just waved. EXCEPT that time when the party was gatecrashed by a large bloom of Noctiluca scintillans: a single-celled dinoflagellate with the emotional stability of a glow stick. While this looks like an oceanic screensaver and delights humans the world over, these lazy microscopic organisms multiply in the millions to create a vast shimmering rave party along entire coastlines. Yes, they’re lazy and temperamental. Mechanical stimulation causes the luciferin–luciferase reaction you see here: meaning when they’re rudely bumped or agitated they scream in blue. All the while they refuse to make their own food, and instead outsource their own metabolism by recruiting symbiotic algae. Seen in blooms like this, the gelatinous blue specks have teamed up to destabilise the local ecosystem whilst spreading equal parts of wonder, drama, worry, joy, and trepidation. …Kinda like politics.
BEAKER STREET SCIENCE PHOTOGRAPHY PRIZE
This photograph was a finalist in Beaker Street’s annual Science Photography Prize. This highly-respected prize invites amateur and professional photographers to showcase the wonders of our extraordinary part of the world — which is teeming with science and scientists. Finalist images are displayed at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery during Beaker Street Festival each August, with great prizes on offer for Judges’ and People’s Choice winners.
The Beaker Street Science Photography Prize is sponsored by Pennicott Foundation — thank you crew! It would not be possible without the support of Full Gamut, Tasmania’s premier fine art printers, as well as the wonderful Tasmanian businesses who donate prizes.
