Why does water have so different colours?

Question

When they look at a sea it may both be blue and green. The actual colour varies from country to country too. For instance in Croatia there is a watery turquoise while it's dark blue in Denmark. While looking at a glass of water the water is transparent. Why does water have so different colours?

Answer 1

It is a reflection of the sky for the sea, and the sea is not exactly pure water.

A glass of water is not quite pure, but is much purer than the sea. A glass of water appears transparent because it (the glass) is transparent.

Answer 2

The colour of water depends on its surroundings. If you go to Store Blåkilde or Lille Blåkilde in Northern Jutland, Denmark, you will see turquoise water because of the purity of the water and the chalk bottom in these small natural spring lakes.

Fill a glass with water from different oceans or lakes around the world and it will be more or less transparent, unless it is filled with algea, mud or other debris.

PS. Did you ask the same question on www.sol.dk?

Answer 3

it depends on the amount of polution and mud in the water and the depth of the water

Answer 4

the pollutants in the water affect the color it may seem the water itself is blue but thats really the floor of the ocean and the darkness of it poor ocean water in a glass ands it relatively clear

Answer 5

Water is clear.  It is colored by what is also present in it and by what it is reflecting or scattering.