The ‘Living Lights’ Bioluminescence of Beautiful Saint Croix

The ‘Living Lights’ Bioluminescence of Beautiful Saint Croix

This is the ultimate Die fröhliche Wissenschaft (Joy of the Mind) for a night-time researcher.

St. Croix is home to two rare “Super Glow” bays (Salt River and Altona Lagoon) where the water behaves like a high-frequency telemetry map.

  • Dinoflagellates: The most common microorganisms that sparkle like “stars flying past you” when the water is agitated.
  • The Green Glow (Ctenophora): Unlike the tiny white sparkles of plankton, the Comb Jelly Fish light up in neon green like a glow stick. They don’t sting, but they are fragile creatures of the “Speed-Up”.
  • Bermuda Fireworms: These provide a “Grand Pronouncement” of their own—the females release a glowing green egg sack to attract males in a synchronized lunar display.

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