Sea of Bioluminescence Lunch Lecture

Ever been to an underwater light show? Us neither, but we can get you pretty close! Learn all about the marvelous tricks of dinoflagellates to turn the sea into a spectacular sight of sparkles and let dr. Mandy Velthuis take you on a magical journey underneath the water’s surface!

Sparkling seas: marine bioluminescent phytoplankton
The sea holds many ecological surprises. Perhaps, if you have been lucky, you were able to spot one of them at night: waves that light up when they reach the shore or tiny sparkles in the water when you walk or swim through it. These phenomena are caused by a cosmopolitan dinoflagellate species: Noctila scintillans. During this lecture, we will discover the bioluminescence of these dinoflagellates. What are the underlying physiological mechanisms and what do we know about its ecological functions? Furthermore, these sparkling creatures are also present in our Dutch coastal waters. Some tips and tricks for spotting them will be shared during the lecture as well.

Join us on Monday the 2nd of December in HG 00.303 during the break! Get your (vegetarian) lunch for only 2€ or simply enjoy some free tea/coffee and cookies with us. Don’t forget to bring your own mug!