Assessment of Bioluminescence in Nigerian Coastal Waters: A Preliminary Study

Bioluminescence, the biological production of light by marine organisms including dinoflagellates, bacteria, and zooplankton, is a poorly documented phenomenon in Nigerian coastal and offshore waters. This preliminary study investigates the occurrence, intensity, and taxonomic basis of bioluminescence in selected coastal stations off Akwa Ibom State and Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria. Nighttime observations using a shipboard bioluminescence photometer and plankton net sampling are conducted across six stations during two cruises in February and August 2024, corresponding to the dry and wet seasons. Bioluminescent intensity measurements are expressed as photons per second per litre and correlated with sea surface temperature, salinity, chlorophyll-a concentration, and plankton biomass. Dinoflagellate species responsible for bioluminescent signals are identified using light microscopy, with special focus on Noctiluca scintillans and Pyrocystis fusiformis. Bacteria-mediated bioluminescence is assessed through blue-light photography of filtered samples. The seasonal and spatial patterns of bioluminescent intensity are related to oceanographic conditions including upwelling events and tidal forcing. Findings are expected to demonstrate elevated bioluminescent activity during the cold season upwelling period, associated with blooms of Noctiluca scintillans. The study establishes baseline data for bioluminescence in Nigerian waters, recommending its inclusion in routine ocean monitoring programmes. Keywords: bioluminescence, dinoflagellates, Nigerian coastal waters, Noctiluca scintillans, biological oceanography