Developing a Predictive Capability for Bioluminescence Signatures

Bioluminescence represents an operational threat to naval nighttime operations because the flow field associated with their motion stimulates naturally occurring plankton. In the littoral, the primary sources of bioluminescence are dinoflagellates, common unicellular plankton that are also known to form red tides. Dinoflagellate bioluminescence is stimulated by flow stress of sufficient magnitude to cause cell deformation, such as in the boundary layers of swimming animals, in separated flow of the wakes of animals, fixed objects, and ships, and in breaking surface waves, leading to spectacular displays of bioluminescence during periods of high dinoflagellate abundance. The oceans can be considered a luminescent minefield where bioluminescence is stimulated by flow disturbance. The bioluminescent signatures of some swimming fish are distinct enough to differentiate species; nocturnally foraging predators may use bioluminescent wakes to locate their prey.