The long wavelengths of the light spectrum—red, yellow, and orange—can penetrate to approximately 15, 30, and 50 meters (49, 98, and 164 feet), respectively, while the short wavelengths of the light spectrum—violet, blue and green—can penetrate further, to the lower limits of the euphotic zone. Blue penetrates the deepest, which is why deep, clear ocean water and some tropical water appear to be blue most of the time. Moreover, clearer waters have fewer particles to affect the transmission of light, and scattering by the water itself controls color. Water in shallow coastal areas tends to contain a greater amount of particles that scatter or absorb light wavelengths differently, which is why sea water close to shore may appear more green or brown in color.
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Video credit: Kendall Roberg
Fun fact! This is why there are some sea creatures in the twilight zone in the ocean who use red pigment to camoflauge. Red light doesn't reach down that far, so there isn't any light to reflect and the animals appear black.
Clearly I’m the Right Kind Of Nerd for this video, because as soon as I saw what it was, I mentally got out popcorn and settled in to watch with delighted anticipation.
The red did turn black! Blue was the most common at the end! But I didn’t expect some of the other details! The yellow turned into basically the same shade as the dark green, while the light green went near-neon. Bizarre. I love it.
And now I want to bring a high-watt sunlamp to the ocean floor so I can see what colors the creatures REALLY are, but I don’t think those creatures would appreciate it much.
