RED TIDE "BIOLUMINESCENCE" THE LIGHT OF LIFE.

Thousands of feet below the surface, the waters of the ocean are cold, still, and dark. Almost no sunlight can penetrate such depths, and the water temperature hovers near freezing. The harsh conditions of the abyss have generated some of the most nightmarish bizarre-looking creatures on Earth. Here there is a need for a cool light that will help organisms find their way through the dark murky waters, this light that is produced from a cool chemical reaction unlike sunlight (which is thermal) or electrical light is know as bioluminescence. Bio means living and luminescence means Ògiving off light.Ó Luminescent organisms give off different types of light and not all organisms use their luminescence the same way. Some luminescent organisms use their light all of the time, or receive the light from bacteria growing on their bodies. Others flash their light(s) on and off whenever they choose. These lights are used to communicate, to camouflage, to guide, to attract mates, to lure prey, and sometimes to frighten enemies. The many animals and organisms that produce this glow are generally found in the deep sea or in shallow ocean waters at night, but also can be found in caves, grasslands, forests, and even in your own backyard.