Why does ocean look blue

They contain molecules like chlorophyll that absorb some wavelengths of light and reflect others. Shallow areas with clear water often appear turquoise.

It bounces off the sandy bottom, which turns the water a brilliant blue. Extremely shallow areas still have some of the green wavelengths of light. This creates the green-blue hues that we see in areas around islands and reefs, such as those in the Caribbean Sea. As a result, many deep-sea organisms are either black or red. This is because a red surface absorbs blue light, effectively making these animals invisible under the tiny amount of light that filters down from above.

At the same time, many organisms that live in the deep ocean have evolved the ability to produce their own light. This is known as bioluminescence. Organisms use it to communicate with other animals, find mates, and hunt for food. Braun C. Why is Water Blue? Journal of Chemical Education. Vol, 70, August Dickey, T. Shedding new light on light in the ocean. Physics Today. Ocean Color. Accessed on November 10, Accessed December 11, Light Scattering: a brief introduction.

University of Copenhagen lecture notes. Plass, G. Color of the Ocean. Applied Optics. One of the most striking things about coral is its bright coloring. Everything absorbs at a different wavelength Your green t-shirt absorbs red , and as a result reflects the remaining colours back at a viewer that's why your t-shirt looks green.

In shallow bodies of water like a drinking glass light penetrates it completely, as there is not enough water to absorb enough photons, so we see the water as colourless. In deeper waters however, not all the wavelengths of light can fully penetrate the liquid, as there are too many water molecules in the way of the photons.

The water molecules absorb all the red wavelengths from the light, making it reflect blue. This is also why shallower waters appear 'less' or lighter blue than deeper ones- less absorption means less reflection.

Leave a comment! Get smart. Sign up for our email newsletter. Sign Up. Support science journalism. Knowledge awaits. See Subscription Options Already a subscriber? Create Account See Subscription Options. Continue reading with a Scientific American subscription. Browse Cell Mentor by Topic and Type. Blog posts Videos How-tos Handbooks.

Contact Cell Mentor. Stay connected:. Research Journals. Trends Reviews Journals. Partner Journals. Science in Society.