The disappearance of sea ice in polar regions due to global warming not only increases the amount of light entering the ocean, but also changes its color. These changes have far-reaching ...

Between light, water molecules, and marine life, here's the explanation for this colorful spectacle. The color of the sea primarily depends on how water absorbs and scatters sunlight.

“Colors are often represented in HSL (hue, saturation, lightness) color space,” Mineault explained to the Daily Mail. “Hue 120 is green, and hue 240 is blue.

In contrast, seawater absorbs red and green light, while blue light penetrates deep into the water column. This is what gives the ocean its blue color. Molecular vibrations of water ...

Ecological implications As sea ice disappears and gives way to open water, the underwater light environment shifts from a broad spectrum of colors to a narrower, blue-dominated spectrum.