KUCHING: A study on the ‘bioluminescence’ at the Tusan Beach, Bekenu near Miri, should be carried out as such a phenomenon is seldom found in the country.
A lecturer at the Department of Aquatic Science, Faculty of Resource Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (Unimas), Asso. Prof Dr Samsur Mohamad said the study was also necessary to ensure such a phenomenon did not have adverse affect on the marine life in the area.
He said bio-luminescence is caused by four types of organisms, namely luciferin bacteria, dinoflagellate luciferin’, ‘coelenterazine’, and ‘cypridina luciferin’.
“About 80 per cent of bio-luminescence organisms are in the sea. From observation, the bio-luminiscence at the Tusan Beach is caused by ‘bacteria luciferin’ or ‘dinoflagellate luciferin’.
“The concern is if the phenomenon at the Tusan Beach is caused by ‘dinoflagellate luciferin’. There is a type of algae known as ‘Noctiluca scintillans’ where a study is still required to determine the actual factor that causes the phenomenon,” he told Bernama recently.
Hundreds of people have been going to the beach to see for themselves the glowing ocean waters with the luminous effects or ‘bio-luminescence’ which happens when micro-organisms in the water are disturbed by oxygen, hence producing a glowing light. — Bernama