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MATCHING NATURAL WATER COLORS TO MUNSELL STANDARDS 1
Author(s) -
DaviesColley Robert J.,
Smith David G.,
Speed David J.,
Nagels John W.
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
jawra journal of the american water resources association
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.957
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1752-1688
pISSN - 1093-474X
DOI - 10.1111/j.1752-1688.1997.tb03558.x
Subject(s) - hue , underwater , brightness , environmental science , remote sensing , computer science , artificial intelligence , geology , optics , physics , oceanography
Color of natural waters strongly influences their aesthetic appeal, suitability for recreational use, and aquatic habitat, but methods for routine specification of color have been lacking. An improved method has been developed for specifying water colors in the field. The water color, seen through an underwater viewer, is matched directly to Munsell standard patches observed simultaneously. The Munsell color‐matching method was verified versus measurements of the underwater light field, made with a submersible spectroradiometer in 20 different natural waters in New Zealand (mainly lakes), which varied widely in color and other optical characteristics. Hue, the most important color attribute of natural waters, could be matched accurately; the saturation and brightness less so. Color standard patches are not available covering the full range of typically dark water colors, but fortunately, brightness can be measured with simple submersible light sensors. The Munsell color matching method seems suitable for routine water resources survey and monitoring.