Why does visibility decrease as you travel below the oceans surface?

As you descend below the ocean's surface, the sunlight that penetrates the water diminishes rapidly due to several factors:

1. Absorption by water molecules: Water itself absorbs light energy at all wavelengths, but especially in the red and orange parts of the spectrum. This means that the deeper you go, the less red and orange light reaches your eyes.

2. Scattering by water molecules: Water molecules also scatter light in all directions, including back toward the surface. This scattering effect is caused by the interaction of light waves with the molecules in water. Shorter wavelength light (blue and violet) is scattered more strongly than the longer wavelengths. As a result, the deeper you go, the more blue-green the light becomes.

3. Absorption by dissolved organic matter (DOM): DOM refers to organic material that is dissolved in seawater. This material comes from various sources, including decaying plant and animal matter, and it can absorb light in the visible spectrum, contributing to the decrease in visibility underwater.

4. Particles and plankton: The ocean also contains suspended particles such as plankton, sediments, and other organic matter. These particles scatter and absorb light, further reducing visibility.

The combined effect of all these factors results in rapidly decreasing visibility as you descend below the ocean's surface. This phenomenon is why underwater exploration requires the use of artificial lights and special equipment to enhance visibility.