In the deepest depths of the ocean, also called the abyss, where even sunlight cannot reach, lies a world of some of nature’s most unusual creatures. These deep sea creatures inhabiting the abyss live in a very hostile world. These creatures, after centuries of evolution, have learnt to evolve their own ways of dealing with the darkness. These deep sea creatures inhabiting the abyss are also a source of natural light that their body emanates. This phenomenon is called bioluminescence.

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They are a relatively new discovery and most of them have not even been catalogued by science yet.

These creatures in the deep depths of the ocean have developed their own ability to use the chemicals that lie within their bodies to produce light. Hundreds of species of fish and invertebrates flash their self created colours in a light show.

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On land, a firefly uses the same bioluminescence abilities to generate light. Bioluminescence is mainly a marine phenomenon and is not found in fresh bodies of water. On land, a few exceptions occur with rare species of fungi and insects.

Bioluminescence occurs when certain chemicals of a body are mixed together. At least two chemicals are needed to create bioluminescence.  The mixing of chemicals occurs in special organs known as the photophores. This consequence is similar to that in green light sticks. When the seal in the stick is broken, the chemicals mix together and show a green glow. The majority of the light produced by marine organisms is blue or green in colour. This is because blue light flows smoothly and because most marine organisms are sensitive to blue and green colours of light. An exception is the Malacosteid family of fishes. These fish are able to produce red light and can see it while other species cannot. This gives an advantage to them as they can see their prey but the prey cannot sense them.

The two basic chemicals needed to create bioluminescence are Luciferin and Luciferase. Luciferin is the chemical that actually created the glow. Luciderase catalyzes the chemical reaction. When these chemicals are mixed together, the presence of oxygen is mandatory to produce light.

Some creatures produce light continually while others flash them by mixing them off and on or by covering their photophores with a stretch of skin. The Flashlight Fish (a deep sea creature) has a light-producing organ (photophore) near its eyes that is enclosed with an eyelid-type flap. Different organisms have their photophores in different parts of their bodies. The Flashlight Fish can flash it’s light by to and fro action of its flap.

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These deep sea organisms produce light for a variety of reasons. For many, it is a self defence mechanism. Some use it as a form of camouflage. Certain squid species of shallow water create light to blend in with the moonlight. Since the deep seas are extremely dark, the majority use bioluminescence as a source of light. Communication is another valid reason for these lights. A rare species crustaceans that live in the deep, send out coded signals to their own kinds during mating season for obvious reasons. Other creatures manipulate their lighting powers as a trap. The Anglerfish, for example, uses this technique.

This amazing phenomenon of bioluminescence is one of the world’s most bizarre and spectacular facts.