What color is the shallow/coastal atlantic ocean?

gnirtS · 04-22-07, 05:30 PM

Northern Atlantic close to shore is brown/green as opposed to blue. Various reasons for this. Run off from large rivers and so on causing silt and contrary to most peoples idea cold waters actually contain more nutrients and host more life than warm tropical waters. The result of this is lots of plankton causing a green colour and visibility of about 2-3m maximum.

The further you go offshore the less plankton and run-off is there so the water becomes more blue with a corresponding increase in visibility.

However around coasts for about least 10 miles or more in some areas the north Atlantic is brown/green when viewed from underwater but can appear a dark grey on the surface. You've got to go a long way offshore in the northern atlantic generally to get the traditional deep clear blue water.

Edit:- Some examples

All the above taken within 5 miles of the coast of the uk.

Even 30 miles out its still a green tinge.

04-22-07, 05:30 PM	#7
gnirtS Officer Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: South Wales, UK Posts: 237 Downloads: 2 Uploads: 0	Northern Atlantic close to shore is brown/green as opposed to blue. Various reasons for this. Run off from large rivers and so on causing silt and contrary to most peoples idea cold waters actually contain more nutrients and host more life than warm tropical waters. The result of this is lots of plankton causing a green colour and visibility of about 2-3m maximum. The further you go offshore the less plankton and run-off is there so the water becomes more blue with a corresponding increase in visibility. However around coasts for about least 10 miles or more in some areas the north Atlantic is brown/green when viewed from underwater but can appear a dark grey on the surface. You've got to go a long way offshore in the northern atlantic generally to get the traditional deep clear blue water. Edit:- Some examples All the above taken within 5 miles of the coast of the uk. Even 30 miles out its still a green tinge. __________________ Supporting Iran against American warmongering. Last edited by gnirtS; 04-22-07 at 05:41 PM.