Deep-Sea corals produce their own sunlight

It is already known that corals fluoresce in sunlight which in turn generates proteins for the algae that resides within the coral bodies. However, deep down the corals that lives below the surface of water where the sunlight is unable to reach produce their own sunlight.

According to the study published in the journal Proceedings of the Royal Society B, in order to get more sunlight, the deep-sea corals glow. Their proteins immerse the meager light and shine it out as red-orange light that in turn infiltrates deep inside their tissues where the algae lives. Hence, there’s adequate light for the process of photosynthesis to take place so that the algae can produce food and energy for the coral in return of supplying more than 90% of coral’s nutrients, stated The New York Times.

These corals are found deep up to 165 meters down and the sunlight reaches up to almost 200 meters. Thus, the corals use that little light to fluorescing and creating their own sunlight in the near-darkness. As per the experiments conducted, the corals shimmering in red colors also tend to survive better in long term, reported Science Alert.

The lead researcher of the study, Professor Joerg Wiedenmann from the University of Southampton said, “This is a strategy that some corals pursue to cope with the challenges of a low-light environment.”

This study could help researchers better understand various types of corals which have remained a mystery for many years.

Wiedenmann is however concerned whether these shallow-water corals might be unable to adapt to the insufficient light that reaches deep-down. “The depth might not offer a convenient escape road. We need to make sure that their homes in the shallows stay habitable.”