We’re sure you’ve all see pictures or have been to see this beautiful sighting, the sparkling blue seas are glowing brighter by the day but they’re not as safe as they look. These sparkly blue lights, sometimes called ‘sea sparkles’ can be viewed after it’s darker after the sunset. This lies in many of China’s shores and has become a major tourist attraction.
This attraction is very real, it is bioluminescent plankton in the water. The plankton, called Red Noctiluca Scintillans, glow bright blue when there is a disturbance or any movement, either by people swimming, waves or boats. A scientist said, “People think this is romantic and beautiful to watch at night but sadly, it’s toxic”.
So, ladies and gentlemen, unfortunately, the sea sparkles might feel like a dream, it’s actually a nightmare, it’s toxic to marine life and humans.
Scientists and researchers used certain methods to track blooms in the East China Sea from the year 2000 until 2017. Their studies showed that the sparkling creatures can survive farther from shore and in warmer waters than previously thought.
Blooms are becoming more frequent in recent years, which the researchers suggest could be linked to the construction of the Three Gorges Dam during the early 2000s. In a statement about the findings, the researchers, led by Lin Qi, said, “The new method could also help researchers better track harmful red tides and boost tourism on China’s east coast”.
The AGU post wrote that the new satellite monitoring technique could be used by local officials to pinpoint the location of RNS blooms, allowing them to notify tourists, tourists would then know the best times and places to view this remarkable attraction.