Bioluminescence occurs in fireflies, some fungi and fish, and in microorganisms such as dinoflagellates, a kind of alga. Dinoflagellates in the marine environment can reproduce quickly thanks to the right combination of sunlight and nutrients, and when the water around them is agitated, their characteristic blue or green light becomes visible. Since a "bloom" of dinoflagellates only rarely happens, try breeding them at home to see the beauty of the bioluminescence. Get some materials, prepare the right lights and environmental conditions, and wait until it is night to see this algae shine.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Get Ready to Breed Bioluminescent Algae
Step 1. Choose a type of luminescent dinoflagellates
You can choose from many species, but some are easier to see and produce brighter light than others. You can find starting farms on the net and they have a price that fluctuates around 20 €. Empco.org, seafarms.com, and carolina.com are great online sites to buy kennels and kits.
- Pyrosystis Fusiformis dinoflagellates are so large that individual cells can be seen with the naked eye and are the most hardy and easiest species to breed.
- Pyrosystis Noctiluca are beautiful, but it is more difficult to ensure the conditions they need to proliferate.
- Pyrosystis Lunula have a tendency to stick to container walls, and are more difficult to keep than other types of algae.
Step 2. Purchase other materials to create the right conditions for breeding
Algae need a lot of light and nutrients to multiply in the ocean, and they require the same conditions at home.
- Purchase a nutrient solution or algae growth solution. Find a natural solution with real sea water rather than a synthetic solution, which will not be as effective. Growth solutions are available on the net or you have pet stores that sell aquariums
- Choose a clear container with a lid, made of glass or plastic, in which to grow your dinoflagellates. It is important that the container is transparent, to let in as much light as possible.
- Purchase a plant growth lamp so that you are able to control the algae's exposure to light. You can buy them in a nursery or hardware store. A normal 40 watt light bulb will do as well.
Step 3. Find a place in the house to grow algae
A closet can be a good option because you will be able to control the light, but choosing a dark place is not necessary. You can make the algae glow with sunlight.
- Make sure the place you choose always stays at a moderate temperature. Cold and warm temperatures could prevent algae growth.
- The optimum temperature for breeding algae is between 22 and 25 degrees Celsius.
Part 2 of 3: Putting the Tools Together and Mixing the Algae Solution
Step 1. Wash and dry the container you are using
Make sure both containers and the lid are completely clean and free of debris. If another substance remains in the container when you add the algae, it could affect their growth.
- If you are using a heavy glass container that you know is insulated, put it in the oven for a few minutes before washing it to sterilize it.
- Don't use too much soap when washing the container, as this can also affect algae growth.
Step 2. Pour a few inches of nutrient solution and all the algae colony into the container
Put the lid on the container to prevent water evaporation and solution saturation, and keep contaminants away.
- It is possible to keep algae in the container in which it was shipped to you, usually a plastic beaker. Simply pour out a few inches of colony, and top up with a few inches of growth solution.
- Before mixing the nutrient solution and the algae colony, let the two containers rest at room temperature for an hour or two. Make sure they are both at the same temperature to prevent the colony from suffering a shock due to the change in temperature.
- Do not leave solution and colony in the sun, as they may get too hot.
Part 3 of 3: Raise Algae and Observe Their Luminescence
Step 1. Set up a light cycle
Dinoflagellates perform photosynthesis throughout the day, and to do this effectively they need at least twelve full hours of light. You can do this by leaving the algae in the sunlight or by carefully checking the light with a lamp inside a dark cabinet or room.
- If you are using a lamp, you should place it about three feet from the container. Do not put the light directly above the container; this would heat it up too much and kill the organisms inside it.
- If you want the algae to produce their own luminescence, you need to keep them under a tight light cycle. Turn on the light at the same time in the morning and turn it off at the same time in the night. The circadian rhythm of the algae will synchronize with the light cycle.
- It is possible to manage the light cycle so that the luminescence occurs during the day. It is useful if you are using it for a class lesson. Adjust the grow lamp to be on during the day, and keep the colony in a dark cabinet during the day.
Step 2. Stimulate the algae and watch them glow
Dinoflagellates glow when water or another substance stimulates them by pressing against their cell walls. To observe their luminescence, lift the container and gently shake the water inside. If they have received enough light during the day, they will begin to light up and glow.
- Do not shake the container too hard, as this will tire the dinoflagellates, which will stop glowing sooner.
- Do not shake the container too often, as this will also make the dinoflagellates exhausted. They need a recovery period after they become enlightened.
Step 3. Divide the algae into multiple containers
Over time, under the right conditions, algae will multiply. You can separate them into multiple containers and add more growth solution. The luminescence will not be as intense in the beginning, because it will take a few weeks for the algae population to grow in number.
Step 4. Keep the algae for 4-6 months
Dinoflagellates usually last for this period. Purchase another colony and try breeding a different dinoflagellate this time.
Advice
- In nature, the action of waves and water currents (mechanical stimulation) causes the bioluminescence of the algae. Bioluminescence is believed to be a defense mechanism against predators, an "intruder alarm" that attracts larger fish that will eat smaller fish that attempted to eat those algae.
- If you are doing a science project, you can add variables to this experiment.
