Ocean Color Wheel

Ocean Color Wheel (PDF, 48.0 MB) [30-Apr-2019] Our ocean is full of life and color. Phytoplankton come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. They also play diverse roles in our ocean. Some species bloom quickly, some produce toxins and some move carbon to the deep ocean. Some even help to produce clouds!

Like water, phytoplankton absorbs and scatters sunlight. The ocean's color depends on the type of phytoplankton suspended in seawater. What color is your ocean? This printable PDF will let you explore phytoplankton diversity and ocean color. When assembled, the wheel has a window with information about specific plankton, a section showing the color of the ocean when these plankton are present, and a QR code that can be scanned for more information. Ocean Color Wheel (PDF, 48.0 MB)