Which color is the first to be lost in the spectrum during a dive?

During a dive, red is the first color to be lost in the spectrum due to the absorption characteristics of water. As sunlight penetrates the water, different wavelengths of light are absorbed at different rates. Red light, which has the longest wavelength, is absorbed very quickly as depth increases. This means that when scuba divers descend, they will find that red hues fade first, often leaving objects appearing more blue or green as they go deeper.

This phenomenon is important for divers to understand since it affects visibility and color perception underwater. Knowing that red light is lost early can help divers adjust their expectations regarding underwater environments and highlights the necessity of using appropriate lighting equipment, which can enhance color visibility and help in identifying marine life and surroundings more accurately.