The "blue tears" phenomenon visible in the sea along outlying Matsu island is caused by noctiluca scintillans, commonly known as Sea Sparkle (夜光蟲), according to a study recently released by a professor at the National Taiwan Ocean University (NTOU).
Professor Chiang Kuo-ping (蔣國平), director of the Institute of Marine Environment and Ecology under NTOU's Center of Excellence for the Oceans, said that following four months of sampling and examinations, noctiluca scintillans has been proven to be the major cause behind the "blue tears" or "glowing blue sea"phenomenon seen along Matsu's coast.
Chiang said noctiluca scintillans thrive at locations boasting abundant algae and plankton, but dwindle along with the depletion of these two organisms. "This represents a kind of ecological balance, and the appearance of noctiluca scintillans is therefore far from an indication of environmental deterioration," he stressed.
Article:http://www.chinapost.com.tw/taiwan/local/offshore-islands/2016/07/12/471995/Sea-Sparkle.htm
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