Experimental and Numerical Study of Bioluminescence Induced by Hydrodynamic Stimulation

A numerical model to predict quantitative images of bioluminescence under flow disturbance is formulated. The technique is based on two parts: a quantitative relationship between dinoflagellate bioluminescence and fluid shear, and a calibration methodology for analyzing images. The former part is obtained by a Couette flow experiment. Bioluminescence under different shear stresses and cell concentrations are analyzed. The latter part is obtained by numerical simulation of the flow field associated with optical characteristics of the camera. To validate the model, an experiment is performed to study bioluminescence stimulated by the wake of a propeller. Images of luminescence are compared with those obtained by numerical simulation. The length and distribution of the luminescence region are in qualitative agreement with those obtained by the numerical model.