The night-time surf at many San Diego County beaches is once again flashing pretty neon-blue light that stems from plankton blooms that have developed in some coastal areas.
In recent days, beach-goers have reported seeing the bioluminescence at Torrey Pines, La Jolla Shores, Carlsbad and Mission Bay.
It’s not unusual for this to happen at various beaches several times a year.
The phenomenon is caused by single-cell organisms in plankton blooms that produce a chemical reaction that generates fleeting flashes of light, especially in breaking surf and around pier pilings.
It is common for surfers to wade into the water at night and see their boards light up as they catch a wave. Bioluminesence typically lasts for a few days but periodically occurs for weeks on end when the plankton bloom is large.
