DiscoverOceanographyGlow in the Dark: the Magic of Ocean Bioluminescence with Dr. Laurent DuChatelet
Glow in the Dark: the Magic of Ocean Bioluminescence with Dr. Laurent DuChatelet

Glow in the Dark: the Magic of Ocean Bioluminescence with Dr. Laurent DuChatelet

Update: 2025-09-09
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Glowing sharks & blue beaches spark curiosity— journey with marine ecophysiologist Dr. Laurent Duchâtelet into the luminous world of ocean bioluminescence. Discover how lantern sharks, dragonfish, plankton and more deploy living light for hunting, hiding and flirting; why wavelengths shift from blue to green to rare red; and how decoding luciferin–luciferase chemistry is powering pollution sensors and cancer diagnostics. Guided by deep-sea ROV footage and decades of lab work, this conversation illuminates 90 independent evolutions of glow, the sport-utility of bio-light, and the urgent need to fund fundamental ocean science before these wonders wink out. If you’ve ever dreamed of swimming through spark-lit surf or marveled at fireflies, this episode reveals the science behind the magic—and what we still don’t know.


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Episode Guest: Dr. Laurent DuChatelet

Learn more about Dr. Laurent DuChatelet at UCLouvain

Read Dr. DuChatelet’s article on Marine Bioluminescence.

Find more of  Dr. DuChatelet’s publications on Research Gate.


Blue Glowing Beaches Around the World 


Episode Transcript  and more information on the Pine Forest Media website

Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia

Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese 

Cover art by Jomiro Eming

Theme music by Nela Ruiz

Listen to Plastic Podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Listen to South Pole on Spotify or Apple Podcasts

Listen to Something in the Water on Spotify or Apple Podcasts


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Glow in the Dark: the Magic of Ocean Bioluminescence with Dr. Laurent DuChatelet

Glow in the Dark: the Magic of Ocean Bioluminescence with Dr. Laurent DuChatelet