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Marine organis ms ranging from bacteria to fish make their own chemically induced
light called bioluminescence, it . is used to hunt, frighten predators, attract mates,
communicate, or camouflage than. The bioluminescence phenomenon was studied
in the southern Bay of Bengal during August 2015 onboard R/V Roger Revelle
operating from Colombo, Sri Lanka. The intensity of light produced by
bioluminescem e spices was measured using Recoverable Bathy Photometer (RBP).
The RBP recorded light intensity while free falling at a speed o f about 1-1.5 m/s.
Several RBP profiles in the upper 200 m were collectedat six different sites
encompassing i region 5 - 8N, 85.5 v 88.5E. All samples were collected in the night
time to minimi ze interferences from other light sources. Zooplankton samples were
collected using 150 pm mesh size plankton net from each location to identify light
producing zoo>lankton species. The RBP measurements showed the existence of
bioluminescem organisms in all the sampling locations and high light intensity was
found up to 150-200 m water depths. Sapphirina sp belonging to the family
f phylum Arthropoda was identified as one of the light emitting
ies. Studies are underway to examine the luminous substances, and
tial distribution of these species, especially around Sri Tankan
Sapphirinidae
zooplankton s]
vertical and
coastal waters
