The modern Forel-Ule scale: a 'do-it-yourself' colour comparator for water monitoring
Novoa, S.; Wernand, M.R.; van der Woerd, H.J. (2014). The modern Forel-Ule scale: a 'do-it-yourself' colour comparator for water monitoring. JEOS: RP 9: 14025 1-10. dx.doi.org/10.2971/jeos.2014.14025
In: Journal of the European Optical Society: Rapid Publications. European Optical Society: Hannover. ISSN 1990-2573; e-ISSN 1990-2573, more
The colour comparator Forel-Ule scale has been used to estimate the colour of natural waters since the 19th century, resulting in one of thelongest oceanographic data series. This colour index has been proven by previous research to be related to water quality indicators suchas chlorophyll and coloured dissolved organic material. The aim of this study was to develop an affordable, ‘Do-it-Yourself’ colour scalethat matched the colours of the original Forel-Ule scale, to be used in water quality monitoring programs by citizens. This scale can bemanufactured with high-quality lighting filters and a white frame, an improvement with respect to the materials employed to manufacturethe original scale from the 19th century, which required the mixing of noxious chemicals. The colours of the new scale were matched tothe original colours using instrumental and visual measurements carried out under controlled lighting conditions, following the standardmeasurement protocols for colour. Moreover, the colours of the scale are expressed in Munsell notations, a standard colour system alreadysuccessfully used in water quality monitoring. With the creation of this Modern Forel-Ule scale, as a ‘Do-it-yourself’ kit, the authors foreseea possible use of the Forel-Ule number as a water quality index that could be estimated by means of participatory science and used byenvironmental agencies in monitoring programs.
All data in the Integrated Marine Information System (IMIS) is subject to the VLIZ privacy policy
