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Lighting Up the Abyss

A new light-emitting diode (LED) system built by Deep Sea Power & Light was recently tested on the Alvin submersible during engineering dives in June off San Diego. The green lights appear to help pilots when the water is murky with particulate matter; the light does not necessarily penetrate farther, but there is less reflection than with white lights. The LEDs use about one-tenth of the power consumed by traditional Xenon, leaving more battery power for other things. (Photo by Anton Zafereo, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)