List of Partners vendors. Share Flipboard Email. Anne Marie Helmenstine, Ph. Chemistry Expert. Helmenstine holds a Ph. She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Facebook Facebook Twitter Twitter. Updated January 13, Featured Video. Cite this Article Format. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph. In coastal areas, runoff from rivers, resuspension of sand and silt from the bottom by tides, waves and storms and a number of other substances can change the color of the near-shore waters.
Some types of particles in particular, the cells of phytoplankton, also referred to as algae can also contain substances that absorb certain wavelengths of light, which alters its characteristics. The most important light-absorbing substance in the oceans is chlorophyll, which phytoplankton use to produce carbon by photosynthesis.
Due to this green pigment - chlorophyll - phytoplankton preferentially absorb the red and blue portions of the light spectrum for photosynthesis and reflect green light. So, the ocean over regions with high concentrations of phytoplankton will appear as certain shades, from blue-green to green, depending upon the type and density of the phytoplankton population there. The basic principle behind the remote sensing of ocean color from space is this: the more phytoplankton in the water, the greener it is There are other substances that may be found dissolved in the water that can also absorb light.
Since these substances are usually composed of organic carbon, researchers generally refer to these substances as colored dissolved organic matter, CDOM for short. The study of ocean color helps scientists gain a better understanding of phytoplankton and their impact on the Earth system.
These small organisms can affect a system on a very large scale such as climate change. Phytoplankton use carbon dioxide for photosynthesis and in turn provide almost half the oxygen we breathe. The larger the world's phytoplankton population, the more carbon dioxide gets pulled from the atmosphere, hence, the lower the average temperature due to lower volumes of this greenhouse gas. Scientists have found that a given population of phytoplankton can double its numbers about once per day. In other words, phytoplankton respond very rapidly to changes in their environment.
Large populations of these organisms, sustained over long periods of time, could significantly lower atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and, in turn, lower average temperatures. Carbon can be 'stored' in oceanic sediments when organic matter sinks and is buried in the ocean floor. Understanding and monitoring phytoplankton can help scientists study and predict environmental change. As research published Feb. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close.
Mobile Newsletter chat close. Mobile Newsletter chat dots. Mobile Newsletter chat avatar. Mobile Newsletter chat subscribe. Environmental Science. Earth Science. Along with nutrients from the volcanic island soils and runoff of seabird and seal guano from rain, we see high chlorophyll and phytoplankton concentrations, which tint the water green in places.
Now That's Interesting. Water is a clear liquid. But If a body of water is deep enough that light isn't reflected off the bottom, it appears blue. Depth and the ocean bottom also influence whether the surface appears a dark blue or light blue. What colors do you mix to make ocean blue? The more there are, the greener the water will appear. Those three factors—depth, floor makeup, and life plus intangibles, like pollution, as mentioned above —will interact to produce whatever color we happen to see.
The same principles apply to other bodies of water, like lakes, craters, and rivers. Check out these uniquely colored tourist attractions found in different parts of the world as examples. If you thought the greenish-blue of the Caribbean was impressive, the red and black volcanic lakes should knock your socks off. Courtesy of Flickr user Valdiney Pimenta.
Red sediments and algae pigmentation produce the unique red color of this salt lake in Bolivia, which is further contrasted by the white borax islands that are spotted throughout it. Located at more than 13, feet above sea level, the lagoon is part of the Andean Fauna National Reserve and is a common roosting spot for a variety of flamingo species. Courtesy of Flickr user NeilsPhotography.
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