Question

When kelp plants in coral reefs are exposed to sunlight, blue and red wavelengths of light are absorbed by the kelp. Energy from green wavelengths is lost to the kelp. Explain why this phenomenon does not violate the Law of Conservation of Energy.

Answer 1

While kelp absorbs blue and red wavelengths preferentially, it doesn't mean that green wavelengths aren't absorbed elsewhere.For example, carotenoids like algae and bacteria and fungi absorb blue-green light and there are plenty of these types of organisms on the earth. Carotenoids familiarly present also in vegetables like tomatoes.