Bioluminescent Breaking Waves

Bioluminescence (light generation in living organisms) is a phenomenon first documented thousands of years ago. Its many independent evolutionary pathways are reflected in the huge variety of attack or defence mechanisms of bioluminescent marine organisms. Intriguingly, a large group of organisms react towards mechanical stimulation with bioluminescent flashes. Among those are dinoflagellates: single-celled microorganisms that generate light via a complex mechano-sensing process (Jalaal et al. PRL 125 (2), 028102, 2020).  

Here, we go beyond single-cell analysis and present a lab-scale model of bioluminescent breaking waves. We conduct lock-release wave chamber experiments with cell-laden water. The turbulent gravity current impacts a solid wall, and consequently, a breaking wave forms. We perform the experiments at various conditions and record the light production. To explain the experimental results, we provide the counterpart theory and direct numerical simulations.