A natural blue glow known as the “blue tears” phenomenon has captured public attention after appearing along the waters of Pantai Tembeling here at night and going viral on social media.
A Bernama visit found the beach has attracted visitors in recent days, with people of all ages gathering to witness the rare natural spectacle while recording photos and videos of the glowing seawater.
The phenomenon is believed to be linked to bioluminescence, a natural process where certain marine organisms produce light through biochemical reactions.
Associate Professor Dr Nina Suhaity Azmi, an expert in biotechnology and biochemistry, said the occurrence is generally caused by a temporary increase in the population of light-producing marine organisms, particularly dinoflagellates.
The Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA) Faculty of Industrial Sciences and Technology lecturer explained that several environmental factors, including water temperature, nutrient levels, ocean currents, tides and marine conditions, could influence the appearance of the phenomenon.
“Various marine organisms and microbes have the ability to produce their own light. Microscopic marine microorganisms known as dinoflagellates, a type of phytoplankton, are often associated with bioluminescence,” she said.
However, Nina Suhaity said the exact species responsible for the blue glow must be identified through scientific methods, including seawater sampling and laboratory analysis by researchers.
She added that similar occurrences had previously been reported in several Malaysian locations, including Kuala Selangor in Selangor, Pangkor Island in Perak, Langkawi Island in Kedah and several islands along the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia.
The phenomenon does not occur continuously and depends heavily on environmental conditions at a particular time, she said.
According to Nina Suhaity, different locations may involve different species of organisms as plankton communities are influenced by local factors such as temperature, currents, nutrients and oceanographic conditions.
She explained that when large populations of these organisms are disturbed by waves, splashing water or movement in the sea, they release a blue-green glow through a reaction involving luciferin compounds and luciferase enzymes.
“The light is not caused by moonlight reflection or pollution, but is the result of a natural biological process. From an evolutionary perspective, this glow is believed to be one of the defence mechanisms used by these organisms against predators,” she said.
She added that bioluminescence plays an important role in marine ecosystems, especially in deep-sea environments where sunlight is limited or unavailable.
The phenomenon is usually more visible at night, particularly during calm sea conditions and when there is little moonlight, although there is no specific season that guarantees its appearance.
Nina Suhaity also stressed that bioluminescent light is generally harmless to humans as it is produced through natural biological reactions within the organisms.
However, she reminded the public that bioluminescence should not be confused with harmful algal blooms (HAB), as not all glowing organisms produce toxins.
She said the presence of blue glowing seawater alone should not be used as an indicator that the water is completely safe or unsafe, adding that further checks should be carried out if unusual signs such as fish deaths, significant water colour changes or abnormal smells are detected.
