This “oceanic light” observed for more than 400 years may finally have an explanation

The ocean glows observed for more than 400 could be caused by bioluminescent bacteria.

In reality, the sailors have been observing of luminous phenomena in remote regions of the ocean for several centuries, which they call “Milky Seas”, or “Mers »» in French. But where do these lights come from in the water? A recent study could answer this question.

An American study attempts to explain this phenomenon

Justin Hudson, doctoral student in the Department of Atmospheric Sciences of the State University of Colorado and co-author of a study published on April 9 in the journal Earth and Space Science, Compiled more than 400 known observations of milky seas to try to find an explanation for this phenomenon which is still rare and difficult to observe.

In the study, researchers explain that with current scientific knowledge, this phenomenon could be the result of a coupled air/sea coupled process. However, another hypothesis, that leading to the presence of bioluminescent bacteria, is also studied.

Bioluminescent bacteria could be the cause of this phenomenon

Indeed, the American media explains that these milky seas can be the result of strong concentrations of biolumine microscopic bacteria, which therefore produces light, called vibrio harveyi. However, no hypothesis has yet been verified. However, this study made it possible to have more details concerning their location.

They observed that the milky seas appear largely in the Arabian Sea and the waters of Southeast Asia. These phenomena, which can last for months, extend over an area up to 100,000 square kilometers, could “Reveal many things about the functioning of life in the ocean”, Indicates Dr. Edith Widder, oceanographer and marine biologist. One thing is certain, these ocean glows continue to remain a real mystery.

Source: CNN