how does plancton shine?

[noche]

i don´t kwon if this happens all around the globe, but when you walk in a tropical beach at dark, as you step or as a wave hits the beach, little dots shine in a flourescent green. is plancton? or anyone have info about this. how does it happens. and is there a way to have this in an acuarium?
lots of thanks!

[nbd13]

I think its called bioluminescence,

its basically what you are seeing, the plancton are giving off this light.

Deep water jellyfish and other fish in the deep do this to attract food....

I dont think you can have this in your aquarium atleast i have not heard of it....

Nick

[noche]

it is some sort of bioluminiscence, but i don´t think it is the same sort that "higher" organisms use, like fishes or anemones. plus this type of bio... in plancton is caused -appears- as a reaction from external impact, not as a fuction for someting (hunting or distracting). is like an accidental release of energy. if you jump, the lights go with the rhythm. imagine an acuarium with rhythmic (controlled) bioluminiscence. is this reaction caused by enzimes or by other secondary metabolites?