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. kelp are a closed system, so energy is allowed to exit the system. the green wavelengths are reflected from the kelp, making them appear green. green wavelengths do not contain any energy, so its loss is acceptable. the law of conservation of energy does not apply to biological systems.