Reason Why The Ocean Is Blue When The Water Is Transparent

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The ocean is blue because water absorbs colors in the red part of the light spectrum.

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Like a filter, this leaves behind colors in the blue part of the light spectrum for us to see.

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The ocean may also take on green, red, or other hues as light bounces off of floating sediments and particles in the water.

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The ocean is very, very deep; light can only penetrate so far below the surface of the ocean.

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As the light energy travels through the water, the molecules in the water scatter and absorb it.

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At great depths, light is so scattered that there is nothing left to detect.

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Water molecules scatter blue wavelengths by absorbing the light waves, and then rapidly re-emitting the light waves in different directions.

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That is why there are mostly blue wavelengths that are reflected back to our eyes. Sometimes oceans look green.

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In the natural world you often see water that is definitely not clear. Sediment and organics color natural water shades of brown or green.

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