Ever Wonder Why The Jersey Shore Water Changes Colors?

Ever notice that sometimes the ocean water at the Jersey Shore will be different colors?

At times it will look like typical, murky New Jersey water and at other timess, I would have sworn I had arrived at the Caribbean.

Well there is a reason.

According to Josh Kohut, professor of marine and coastal sciences at Rutgers University, it depends on the, "concentration of either sediment or small plankton called phytoplankton."

"Whenever there is a plankton bloom, that tends to give it kind of a greenish, yellowish, so somewhere in the blue to green to yellow band of colors," added Anna Pfeiffer-Herbert, assistant professor of Marine Science at Stockton University.

So basically, the less amount of plankton and sediment, the prettier the water.

Another determining factor is something called upwelling. Basically, the water will circulate into a whole new area depending on the direction of the winds. So pay attention! -- This is also the reason why one day the ocean water will be 70 degrees and then 60 degrees the next.

So now that we have experienced a mini science lesson, I must admit that I am kind of bummed that the reason isn't a TAD more magical.

But nonetheless...anyone up for a trip to the Caribbean?

Take a look at the original article at NJ.com.

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