What causes colors in the ocean?

Question

I just sailed back from Bermuda. In Bermuda the water is an incredibe blue color, which changes a bit based on bottom structure (sand or coral), and sunlight or cloudy, and depth of water. As we sailed back the ocean depth increased and the color went from this beautiful deep blue to an almost purple color. We went through the gulf stream, and I was too intent on the helm to notice the color of the water, but then after the gulf stream the water turned a dark blue to a greenish blue.

The crew had long arguments about this that were thankfully broken up by the sighting of a shark.

I thought that silt runoff from rivers allowed greater plant diversity, and therefore more yellow tint (blue plus yellow =green)

R thought that the color was a result of pollution.

C brought in that the gulf stream acts as a barrier, and water on the inland side is of different temperatures, and supports plant and microbrial life.

J&B had ideas but were too smart to get involved.

any clues?

Answer 1

The sun and unfortunately pollution.

Answer 2

The color tones in the water are affected by the depth of the water, the types of life in the water, and (to a lesser extent) the texture of the bottom.

The amazing clear blue of Caribbean water occurs because there are less microscopic plankton in the water, and you see only the natural reflection of blue light from the water, as the other colors of light are absorbed.

North of the gulf stream the water becomes clouded by plankton, and the color of the water shifts as different parts of the light spectrum are absorbed in the water.

One way pollution can affect the color of the water is through agricultural run off, as the combination of fertilizers and pesticides can upset the balance of the ecosystem. You're most likely to see silt runoff near the shore, and it usually makes the water more brown than green.

Basically, you're all right!

Answer 3

The beautiful light blue colors you describe are the result of light reflected by the bottom in very clear water. You can see the same thing in other areas with very clear water. As the water gets deeper the color will intensify and darken as less light is reflected from the bottom. The blue of the water is caused primarily by the fact that water absorbs red light leaving the blue light behind. That is enhanced by blue light being reflected from the sky. If the water has a lot of particles it will have a color cast such as green or red from particular micro organisms mostly algae. Minerals from a runoff like at the mouth of a river can give a gray, yellow, brown or black cast to the water. In all cases the water color will blend with light reflected from the sky to create the final color you see.

Answer 4

as far as the blue color it comes from the light spectrum
that is split up in the water. example: the blue and purple light
in the light spectrum are the strongest light.
as far a the blue/green color of the gulf has to do with the level of the water and algae.

Answer 5

As we know that white sun light has 07 colours of spectrum (VIBGYOR) and we see a things of that colour, which is reflected by that thing (a single primary colour or a mixed secondary one). On water bodies, reflection of light depends not only on its surface but aslo on its depth and clarity of water. Ocean has different depth at different places that is why we see different colours at deferment place.

Answer 6

The water is (generally, if you're talking about the sea) transparent. However, the blueish colour it usually has comes from the sky, as it reflects the light coming from there.

Answer 7

the pretty light blue clear oceans you see in such places in Hawaii are because the ocean in that area is basically devoid of life. areas with lots of algae, bottom dwellers and plankton and such cause the water to look darker.

Answer 8

from the sun and the reflection of the sky

Answer 9

from the sun's reflection and the sky.