Bioluminescence in the deep sea: How and why do animals create their own light?

A dive into the deep sea reveals twinkling lights in the midst of darkness. This light doesnt come from the sunsunlight cant penetrate to these depthsit comes from the animals that live here. Scientists call this living light show bioluminescencewhen living organisms create their own light using a chemical reaction.

MBARI Senior Scientist Steve Haddock and his team are working to decipher the secret language of light in the deep sea. His teams work has revealed that bioluminescence is actually quite common in the deep. From zooplankton to jellies, fishes, and squid, deep-sea animals have adapted to use light in a variety of ways. MBARIs work is helping biologists understand how and why these remarkable animals produce their own light.

Weve collaborated with our education and conservation partner Monterey Bay Aquarium on the development of their newest exhibition, Into the Deep: Exploring Our Undiscovered Ocean, opening on April 9, 2022. The groundbreaking exhibition will offer a rare look at the animals that thrive in the least explored area of the planet and will feature an immersive experience recreating the world of deep-sea bioluminescence.

Learn more about the exhibition: https://mbayaq.co/3Gd6GE0

Learn more about MBARIs research on bioluminescence: www.mbari.org/bioluminescence

Monterey Bay Aquarium video production team: Christy Chamberlain, Presley Adamson
Editor: Lou Laprocido
MBARI video production team: Kyra Schlining, Susan von Thun, Madison Pobis

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