What is fluorescence?
Fluorescence falls under the broader term of photoluminescence, which describes a process that produces light using light energy. Fluorescence is the emission of light by a substance that has absorbed light or other electromagnetic radiation of a different wavelength immediately upon stimulating the reaction through excitation. Specifically, Fluorescence refers to the immediate release of light, where light is emitted within a fraction of a second after excitation. Fluorescence is the absorption of light at one wavelength and its re-emission at another wavelength. What it comes down to is that objects underwater will glow when you shine the right light on them and this fluorescence glow will continue as long as the stimulus, or the excitation, producing it is maintained.
What will you see?
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Many underwater plants and animals fluoresce. Some common species to see fluoresce on your dives are: Bristleworms, Corals, Shrimps, Lizardfish, Blennies, Scorpionfish, Eels, Mollusks, Algae and seaweeds. Divers and scientists continue to find new species that fluoresce underwater all the time.
What gear do you need?To view underwater fluorescence you will need an underwater fluorescence light as well as a barrier filter over your scuba mask. To photograph underwater fluorescence you will need this same barrier filter on your camera lens as well as excitation filters on your underwater strobes.
How can you start?Grove Scuba was the first shop to introduce this type of diving in Florida. We even wrote the PADI specialty course on Fluorescence Diving and Underwater Fluorescence Photography. Contact us to experience this unique type of diving for yourself. You will be glad you did.
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