Bioluminescent algal blooms are replacing diatoms in Indian waters, and dams may be the reason, says new study
Research Matters Staff Writer(s) Hyderabad 3 Aug 2026 Researchers at the National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services, under the Ministry of Earth Sciences, have found a link between India’s rapid infrastructure development and a dramatic rise in harmful algal blooms across the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal. The…
A new study has revealed a significant shift in marine life along India's coasts, with bioluminescent algal blooms increasingly replacing diatoms. Researchers from the National Remote Sensing Centre, Indian Space Research Organisation, and Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services found that the construction of thousands of dams over the past century has played a crucial role in this transformation.
By trapping sediment and silicate essential for diatom growth, the dams have inadvertently reduced silicate levels in the ocean. This shift has allowed the opportunistic Noctiluca scintillans, known for its bioluminescent glow, to thrive. As diatoms, which form the base of the marine food chain, struggle to survive without silicate, the marine ecosystem is experiencing a predatory shift that could disrupt the entire food web and the planet's carbon cycle.
The study highlights the need to consider socio-economic trends, such as GDP growth and infrastructure development, when assessing the health of marine environments.
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