2120

Color
Approved by Standard Methods Committee, 2001. Editorial revisions, 2021. Joint Task Group: James K. Edzwald (chair), Penny J. Bristol, Brian A. Dempsey,
Darren A. Lytle, David J. Pernitsky, Mike J. Sadar, Jeff Throckmorton.

2120 a. introduCtion
Color in surface and ground waters results primarily from filtration. In some waters and wastewaters, apparent color is
the presence of natural organic matter, particularly aquatic contributed principally by colloidal or suspended material.
humic matter. Humic matter consists of humic and fulvic
acids; both cause a yellow-brown color. Humic acids give a 2. Selection of Method
more intense color, and the presence of iron intensifies the
color through the formation of soluble ferric humates. Methods 2120 B and C are applicable to measuring color
Suspended particles, especially colloidal-size particles such caused primarily by natural organic matter. The
as clays, algae, and iron and manganese oxides, produce an measurements apply to all surface and ground waters,
apparent color. They should be removed before domestic and industrial wastewaters, and especially potable
measurement. Industrial wastewaters can contain lignins, waters. While all methods (2120 B–F) are suitable for true
tannins, dyes, and other organic and inorganic chemicals color measurements, for apparent color measurements use
that cause color. Humic materials and the color caused by only 2120 B; in such cases, determine both true color and
these materials are removed from potable water supplies for apparent color. For comparison among laboratories,
aesthetic reasons and for health reasons because they are calibrate 2120 B with 2120 C. Methods 2120 D–F allow color
precursors in the formation of disinfection by-products. measurement for any dissolved chemical that gives the
Color also is removed to make water suitable for industrial appearance of color in the visible-light wavelength range.
2120 B. Visual Comparison method
applications. Colored industrial wastewaters may require They are especially applicable to colored waters and
color removal before discharge into watercourses. wastewaters having color characteristics different from, but
not excluding, platinum-cobalt standards.
1. Terminology
Bibliography
The term “color” is used here to mean true color, that is,
the color of water from which turbidity has been removed. Black AP, Christman RF. Characteristics of colored surface waters.
Colloidal and larger suspended particles scatter light J Amer Water Works Assoc. 1963;55(6):753–770.
interfering with the determination of true color Christman RF, Ghassemi M. Chemical nature of organic color in
measurements in Method 2120 B and in the water. J Amer Water Works Assoc. 1966;58(6):723–741.
Thurman EM. Organic geochemistry of natural waters. Dordrecht
spectrophotometric procedures of Methods 2120 C–F. The
(Netherlands): MartinusNijhoff/Dr. W. Junk Publishers; 1985.
term “apparent color” includes not only color due to Sawyer CN, McCarty PO, Parkin GF. Chemistry for
substances in solution, but also that due to suspended matter. Environmental Engineering and Science, 4th ed. New York (NY):
Apparent color is determined on the original sample without McGraw-Hill, Inc.; 1994.
1. General Discussion b. Application: The platinum-cobalt method is
applicable to natural waters, potable waters, and
a. Principle: Color is determined by visual comparison wastewaters, both domestic and industrial.
of the c. Interference: Even a slight turbidity causes the
sample with known concentrations of colored solutions. apparent color
Comparisons also may be made with special, properly to be noticeably higher than the true color; therefore,
calibrated glass color disks. The platinum-cobalt method of remove turbidity by the filtration procedure described in
measuring color is the standard method, the unit of color 2120 C.
being that produced by 1 mg platinum per liter in the form The color value of water is extremely pH-dependent and
of the chloroplatinate ion. The 1:2 ratio of cobalt to platinum invariably increases as the pH of the water is raised. When
resulting from the preparation of the standard platinum- reporting a color value, specify the pH at which color is
cobalt solution (2120 B.4) matches the color of natural determined. For research purposes, or when color values are
waters.

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to be compared among laboratories, determine the color Dissolve 1.246 g potassium chloroplatinate and 1.00 g
response of a given water over a wide range of pH values.1 crystallized cobaltous chloride in water with 100 mL conc
d. Field method: Because the platinum-cobalt standard HCl and dilute to 1000 mL. This stock solution has a color of
method is not convenient for field use, compare water color 500 color units (CU). Platinum-cobalt standards of 500 CU
with that of glass disks held at the end of metallic tubes are available commercially, and are suitable for use as the
containing glass comparator tubes filled with sample and primary standard.
Prepare
2120 COLOR - B. Visual Comparison Method standards
colorless distilled water. Match the sample color with the having CU of 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, 50, and 100 by diluting
color of the tube of clear water plus the calibrated colored 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mL stock color
glass when viewed by looking toward a white surface. standard with reagent water in 100-mL volumetric flasks.
Calibrate each disk to correspond with the colors on the Transfer to Nessler tubes for use as standards. Protect
platinum-cobalt scale. The glass disks yield results in standards against evaporation and contamination when not
substantial agreement with those obtained by the platinum- in use. Keep in the dark when not in use, and keep only for 1
cobalt method and their use is recognized as a standard field month.
procedure.
e. Nonstandard laboratory methods: Using glass disks 5. Procedure
or liquids other than water as standards for laboratory work
is permissible only if these have been individually calibrated a. Sample collection: Collect samples in acid-washed
against platinum-cobalt standards. Waters of highly unusual amber
color, such as those that may occur by mixture with certain glass bottles or plastic bottles covered to keep out light. Rinse
industrial wastes, may have hues so far removed from those bottles once with sample before filling bottle with sample.
of the platinum- cobalt standards that comparison by the Preferably take a sample of at least 100 mL. Analyze sample
standard method is difficult or impossible. For such waters, within 24 h of collection. Keep samples cold until analysis,
use the methods in 2120 C–F. However, results so obtained and warm them up to room temperature before
are not directly comparable to those obtained with platinum- measurement.
cobalt standards. b. Sample preparation: Check sample pH. If outside
the range of 4 to 10, preferably adjust sample to pH 7 and
2. Apparatus note the adjustment.
If true color is to be measured, wash membrane filter and
a. Nessler tubes, matched, 50-mL, tall form. filter assembly by passing at least 50 mL reagent water
b. pH meter, for determining sample pH (see Section through filter. Filter about 25 mL sample and discard
4500-H+). filtrate. Filter a further portion of about 50 mL through the
c. Filter and filter assembly (for true color same filter and retain for analysis.
measurements): Use a 0.45-μm pore-diam cellulose c. Sample measurement: Observe sample color by
membrane filter of 22 or 47 mm diameter. Glass fiber filling a
filters also can be used. Rinse filters before use and matched Nessler tube to the 50-mL mark with sample and
monitor filter blanks. Smaller-pore filters of 0.2 or 0.22 comparing it with standards. Look vertically downward
μm or even ultrafiltration may be needed to remove through tubes toward a white or specular surface placed at
colloidal particles for certain samples such as Mn or Fe such an angle that light is reflected upward through the
oxides or other colloids. Use a glass, PTFE, or stainless columns of liquid. If turbidity is present and has not been
steel assembly to hold the selected filters. removed, report as “apparent color.” If the color exceeds 100
units, dilute the sample in known proportions until the color
3. Reagents is within the range of the standards.

a. Organic-free water: Type I reagent water (Section 6. Calculation

1080) or equivalent water. Use for all standard
preparation and other procedures. a. Calculate color units (CU) by the following equation:
b. Potassium chloroplatinate (K2PtCl6), analytical
grade. A×50
c. Cobaltous chloride (CoCl2 ⋅ 6H2O), analytical grade. Color =
d. Hydrochloric acid (HCl), analytical grade. B
e. Sodium hydroxide (NaOH), analytical grade.
where:
4. Preparation of Standards A = estimated color of a diluted sample,
and B = mL sample taken for dilution.

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 b. The correct units for true color are CU. One CU is method. Although in 2120 B color measurements can be
equivalent made without removal of particulate matter as long as they
to one Hazen unit and to one Pt-Co unit. If samples are not are reported as Apparent CU, method 2120 C requires the
filtered, report data as Apparent CU. Report color results in removal of particulate matter before color determination.
whole numbers and record as follows: Light absorbance of organic matter depends on pH;
Color Unit Record to Nearest however, the variation in absorbance is small for the pH
1–50 1 range of most waters. Because color measurements are made
51–100 5 for aesthetic reasons, preferably do not adjust the sample’s
101–250 10 pH as long as it is between 4 and 10. If the pH is adjusted,
251–500 20 adjust to 7, and note. Further, the pH can affect the
solubility of substances, which can then interfere with the
c. Report sample pH.
color measurement if particulate matter is formed.
d. Method detection level: The minimum detectable
7. Quality Control
color depends on the cell path length. Choose a cell size that
provides an absorbance within the range that results in
The QC practices considered to be an integral part of each
good accuracy and linearity of response. This range
method are summarized in Tables 2020:1 and 2.
depends on the quality of the spectrophotometer. If a 50-
a. Replicate measurements: Use at least 2 portions of
mm cell is used in the wavelength range of 450 to 465 nm,
filtered
then an absorbance of 0.005 yields a minimum detectable
sample. color of 1 CU. With newer spectrophotometers, a method
b. Duplicate analyses: Analyze every 10th sample in detection level of 2 CU can be obtained with a path length
duplicate (i.e., duplicating the entire procedure) to assess of 25 mm. Dilute samples with high color to fall within the
method precision. range of the standard curve. Absorbance readings should
c. Preprogrammed spectrophotometers: For fall within the range of 0.005 to 0.8.
spectrophotom-
eters with preprogrammed calibration curves, verify 2. Apparatus
calibration curve regularly with the platinum-cobalt
standards prepared under 2120 C.4, and adjust a. Spectrophotometer: Choose a wavelength between
preprogrammed curves as needed. 450 and 465 nm. Use matched glass cells providing a light
path of at least 25 mm. Cells with path lengths of 40, 50, or
Reference 100 mm may be used. The Beer-Lambert Law allows
flexibility in selecting the cell path length.
1. Black AP, Christman RF. Characteristics of colored surface b. Filter and filter assembly: See 2120 B.2c.
waters. J Amer Water Works Assoc. 1963;55(6):753–770.
2120 COLOR - C. Spectrophotometric—Single-Wavelength Method (PROPOSED)

Bibliography Sawyer CN, McCarty PL, Parkin GF. Color. In: Chemistry for environ-
mental engineering and science, 5th ed. New York (NY): McGraw-
Christman RF, Ghassemi M. Chemical nature of organic color in water. J Hill, Inc.; 2003.
Amer Water Works Assoc. 1966;58(6):723–741.

2120 C. speCtrophotometriC—single-WaVelength method (proposed)

1. General Discussion
3. Reagents
a. Principle: Color is determined
spectrophotometrically at a See 2120 B.3.
wavelength between 450 and 465 nm, with platinum-cobalt
solutions as standards.1–3 The true color of real samples and 4. Preparation of Standards
platinum- cobalt standards follows the Beer-Lambert Law.
b. Application: The spectrophotometric platinum- Prepare a stock color solution of 500 CU according to 2120
cobalt B.4.
method is applicable to natural waters, potable waters, and Prepare standards having CU of 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 40, 50,
wastewaters, both domestic and industrial. and 100 by diluting 1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, 6.0, 8.0, 10.0, and 20.0
c. Interference: The primary interference is from the mL stock color standard with reagent water in 100-mL
presence of colloidal and suspended particles that absorb or volumetric flasks. Protect standards against evaporation and
scatter light at the wavelength of the spectrophotometric

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contamination when not in use. Keep in the dark when not in a. Principle: The color of a filtered sample is expressed
use, and keep for only 1 month. in
terms that describe the sensation realized when viewing the
5. Spectrophotometric Standard Curve sample. The hue (red, green, yellow, etc.) is designated by the
term dominant wavelength, the degree of brightness by
Let the spectrophotometer warm up according to luminance, and the saturation (pale, pastel, etc.) by purity.
manufacturer’s instructions. Choose a wavelength between These values are best determined from the light transmission
450 and 465 nm to develop the standard curve; a good choice characteristics of the filtered sample by means of a
is 456 nm. The absorbance of Pt-Co has a broad maximum spectrophotometer.
absorbance within this wavelength range. Use matched b. Application: This method is applicable to potable
spectrophotometer cells. Fill one cell with reagent water to and sur-
zero the instrument. Read absorbance for each color face waters and to wastewaters, both domestic and
standard, and prepare a standard curve of CU versus industrial.
absorbance. c. Interference: The primary interference is from the
Preprogrammed color curves are available with some presence
spectrophotometers. The curves can be verified by use of the of colloidal and suspended particles that absorb or scatter
standards prepared in 2120 C.4. light.
d. Quality control (QC): The QC practices considered
6. Procedure to be an integral part of each method are summarized in
Tables 2020:1 and 2.
a. Sample collection: See 2120 B.5a.
b. Sample preparation: See 2120 B.5b. Always filter the 2. Apparatus
sample.
c. Spectrophotometric measurement: Let the spectrophotom- a. Spectrophotometer, having absorption cells of a
eter warm up according to manufacturer’s instructions. Set minimum of 10 mm, a narrow (10-nm or less) spectral
the wavelength at the same setting used to develop the band, and an effective operating range from 400 to 700 nm.
standard curve; be sure that the cell path length is the same b. Filter: See 2120 B.2c.
as that used for the standard curve. Fill one
spectrophotometer cell with water and zero the instrument. 3. Procedure
Rinse the other cell with sample and then refill. Place cell in
spectrophotometer and read the absorbance. Repeat for the a. Sample preparation: Bring two 50-mL samples to
remaining samples. Determine the sample color using room temperature. Use one sample at the original pH;
absorbance readings and standard curve relating adjust pH of the other to 7.0 by using sulfuric acid (H2SO4)
absorbance and CU. For spectrophotometers with and sodium hydroxide (NaOH) of such concentrations that
preprogrammed calibration curves for color, zero the the resulting volume change does not exceed 3%. A
instrument and take sample measurements according to standard pH is necessary because of the variation of color
manufacturer’s instructions. with pH. Remove particulate matter from samples before
color determination (2120 B.5b).
7. Quality Control See b. Determination of light transmission characteristics:
Thor-
2120 B.7. oughly clean 1-cm absorption cells. Rinse twice with filtered
sample, and fill cell with filtered sample.
References Determine transmittance values (in percent) at each visible
wavelength value presented in Table 2120:1, using the 10
1. Crowther J, Evans J. Estimating color in Hazen units by ordinates marked with an asterisk for fairly accurate work
spectrophotometry. J Amer Water Works Assoc.
and all 30 ordinates for increased accuracy. Set instrument
1981;73(5):265–270.
2. Bennett LE, Drikas M. The evaluation of colour in natural to read 100% transmittance on the distilled water blank and
waters. Water Res. 1993;27(7):1209–1218. make all determinations with a narrow spectral band.
3. Hongve D, Åkesson G. Spectrophotometric determination of
water colour in Hazen units. Water Res. 1996;30(11):2771–2775. 4. Calculation
2120 COLOR - D. Spectrophotometric—Multi-Wavelength Method
a. T
abulate
2120 d. speCtrophotometriC—multi-WaVelength method
1. General Discussion transmittance values corresponding to wavelengths
shown in Columns X, Y, and Z in Table 2120:1. Sum each
transmittance column and multiply the totals by the

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appropriate factors (for 10 or 30 ordinates) shown at the 20 599.6 572.5 462.0
bottom of the table, to obtain tristimulus values X, Y, and Z. 21 603.3 576.4 464.1
The tristimulus value Y is percent luminance. 22 607.0 580.4 466.3
b. Calculate the trichromatic coefficients x and y from 23 610.9 584.8 468.7
the tristimulus values X, Y, and Z by the following 24 615.0 589.6 471.4
equations: 25 619.4 594.8 474.3
26 624.2 600.8 477.7
X 27 629.8 607.7 481.8
x= 28 636.6 616.1 487.2
X + +Y Z 29 645.9 627.3 495.2
Table 2120:1. Selected Ordinates for Spectrophotometric Color 30 663.0 647.4 511.2
Determinationsa Factors when 30 ordinates used
X Y Z 0.032 69 0.033 33 0.039 38
Wavelength (nm) Factors when 10 ordinates used
Ordinate No. 0.098 06 0.100 00 0.118 14
1 424.4 465.9 414.1 a
Insert in each column the transmittance value (%) corresponding to the
2 435.5 489.5 422.2 wavelength shown. Where limited accuracy is sufficient, use only the 10
ordinates delineated by the border-boxes.
3 443.9 500.4 426.3
4 452.1 508.7 429.4
5 461.2 515.2 432.0 Y
6 474.0 520.6 434.3 y=
7 531.2 525.4 436.5 X + +Y Z
8 544.3 529.8 438.6
9 552.4 533.9 440.6 Locate point (x, y) on one of the chromaticity diagrams in
10 558.7 537.7 442.5 Figure 2120:1 and determine the dominant wavelength (in
11 564.1 541.4 444.41 nanometers) and the purity (in percent) directly from the
12 568.9 544.9 446.3 diagram.
13 573.2 548.4 448.2 Determine the hue from the dominant-wavelength value,
14 577.4 551.8 450.1 according to the ranges in Table 2120:2.
15 581.3 555.1 452.1
5. Expression of Results
16 585.0 558.5 454.0
17 588.7 561.9 455.9
Express color characteristics (at pH 7.0 and at the original
18 592.4 565.3 457.9
pH) in terms of dominant wavelength (nanometers, to the
19 596.0 568.9 459.9
nearest
2120 COLOR - D. Spectrophotometric—Multi-Wavelength Method

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 Figure 2120:1. Chromaticity diagrams. The larger diagram is used when purity values being determined will be
at 20% or more, and the smaller inset diagram is used when purity values being determined will fall below
20%.
2120 COLOR - E. Tristimulus Spectrophotometric Method

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Table 2120:2. Color Hues for Dominant Wavelength Ranges unit), hue (e.g., blue, blue-green, etc.), luminance (percent, to the nearest
Wavelength Range (nm) Hue
400–465 Violet
465–482 Blue
482–497 Blue-green
497–530 Green
530–575 Greenish yellow
575–580 Yellow
580–587 Yellowish orange
587–598 Orange
598–620 Orange-red
620–700 Red
400–530ca Blue-purple
530c–700a Red-purple
tenth), and purity (percent, to the nearest unit). Report type
of instrument (i.e., spectrophotometer), number of selected
ordinates (10 or 30), and the spectral band width
(nanometers) used.

Bibliography

Hardy AC. Handbook of Colorimetry. Boston (MA): Technology Press; 1936.

a
The blue-purple and red-purple hues occur when the location of point (x,y) in
Figure 2120:1 results in the dominant wavelength being obtained from the
lower-right scale having the “c” labeling after the wavelength values.

2120 e. tristimulus speCtrophotometriC method

1. General Discussion nm, and a tungsten lamp light source. Instrument must be
able to obtain transmittance values at a multitude of
a. Principle: Tristimulus values are a set of 3 numbers wavelengths and calculate tristimulus values X, Y, and Z1
obtained from a spectrophotometer or colorimeter that, to produce a final color result (Program No. 1666, or
when combined in various ways, describe how the human equivalent). Calibrate calculation algorithm software
eye perceives a given color. Calculations using the 3 against platinum-cobalt standard reference.
tristimulus values typically are used to define the color of a b. Spectrophotometer cells, 1 cm.
specimen for color matching specifications or for routine c. Filtering apparatus and filter: See 2120 B.2c.
control purposes. 3. Procedure
The percentage of tristimulus light transmitted by the
solution is determined and the transmittance values are then a. Sample collection: See 2120 B.5a.
converted to trichromatic coefficients and color b. Sample preparation: Filter turbid samples according
characteristic values. to 2120 B.5b.
b. Application: This method is applicable to potable c. Spectrophotometric measurement: Let the
and sur- spectrophotome-
face waters and to domestic and industrial wastewaters. ter warm up in accordance with manufacturer’s directions.
c. Interference: See 2120 C.1c. Set the instrument to the preprogrammed calibration curve
for tristimulus color. Zero the instrument and perform
2. Apparatus measurements according to manufacturer’s method
directions. Express results as prescribed in 2120 D.5.
a. Spectrophotometer with narrow spectral band width Alternatively, obtain tristimulus values for color by a
(10 nm or less), an effective operating range of 380 to 780 published computation method.1

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4. Quality Control Volume 06.01. Philadelphia (PA): American Society for Testing
and Materials; 1995.
See 2120 B.7.
Bibliography
Reference
Hach DR/4000 Spectrophotometer Procedures Manual, 11th ed.
1. ASTM E308-95. Standard practice for computing the colors of Loveland (CO): Hach Company, 2003.
objects by using the CIE system. Annual Book of Standards
1. General Discussion Published Online: August 27, 2018
Revised: September 4, 2021
a. Principle: Three properties describe color: hue, b. Sample preparation: Prepare two 100-mL sample
chroma, and value. Hue is the color (blue or red, for portions, one at the original pH and one at pH 7.0. Filter
example); chroma is the intensity, brightness, or dullness of turbid samples according to 2120 B.5b.
color; and value is the amount, or lightness or darkness, of c. Spectrophotometric measurement: Let
color. In accordance with Adams-Nickerson chromatic value spectrophotome-
2120 COLOR - E. Tristimulus Spectrophotometric Method ter warm

2120 F. admi Weighted-ordinate speCtrophotometriC method

formula,1 this method calculates single-number color up in accordance with the manufacturer’s instruction. Set
difference values (i.e., uniform color differences). For instrument to pre-programmed calibration curve for ADMI
example, if 2 colors, A and B, are judged visually to differ Weighted Ordinate Method. Zero instrument and take
from colorless to the same degree, their ADMI color values measurements of original and pH-adjusted samples
will be the same.2 Values are independent of chroma and according to manufacturer’s directions. Express results as
hue. Spectrophotometrically, transmittance is measured at prescribed in 2120 D.5 for both original and pH-adjusted
multiple wavelengths and converted to a set of abstract samples.
numbers, which then are converted to a single number that Alternatively, obtain ADMI weighted-ordinate values for
indicates color value. This number is expressed on a scale color by a published computation method.2
used by the American Dye
Manufacturers Institute (ADMI).2 4. Quality Control See
b. Applications: This method is applicable to colored
waters 2120 B.7.
and wastewaters having color characteristics significantly
different from, but not excluding, platinum-cobalt References
standards.
c. Interferences: See 2120 C.1c. 1. McLaren K. The Adams-Nickerson colour-difference formula. J
Soc Dyers Colorists. 1970;86(8):354–356.
2. Apparatus 2. Allen W, Prescott WB, Derby RE, Garland CE, Peret JM,
Saltzman M. Determination of color of water and wastewater by
a. Spectrophotometer, with narrow spectral band width means of ADMI color values. Proceedings of the 28th Industrial
Waste Conference. 1973 May 1–3; Lafayette (IN): Purdue
(10 nm or less), an effective operating range of 400 nm to
University. (Engineering Extension Service No. 142:661).
700 nm and a tungsten lamp light source. Instrument must 3. Hach DR/4000 Spectrophotometer Procedures Manual, 11th ed.
be able to obtain transmittance values at a multitude of Loveland (CO): Hach Company, 2003.
wavelengths and calculate tristimulus (ordinate) values,
preferably by using the weighted-ordinate method
(Program No. 1660, or equivalent).3 Calibrate calculation
algorithm software against platinum-cobalt standard
reference.
b. Spectrophotometer cells, 1 cm.
c. Filtering apparatus and filter: See 2120 B.2c.

3. Procedure

a. Sample collection: See 2120 B.5a.

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