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Why are water different colors in different places? – Gina T. 12 years old, Portland, Maine
What do you think when you think about water? A refreshing iceberg? Blue crystal ocean that extends to the horizon? Lake reflects the majestic mountains? Or a small pool looks dark and mysterious?
It is possible that you are more eager to swim in some of this water than others. And those that seem cleaner may be the most attractive. Whether you realize this or not, you apply concepts in physics, biology and chemistry to determine whether you should jump.
The water color provides information about what is in it. like Engineer studies water resourcesI am thinking of how to use water to help people understand the pollution of lakes and beaches, and whether they are safe to swim and fish.
Light and water color
Drinking water usually appears clear, but the ponds, rivers and oceans are full of floating molecules. It may be small fragments of dirt, rocks, vegetables, or other materials.
These particles are often transferred to water during storms. Any rains hit the ground and does not go to the soil The flow becomes surfaceFlow down until it reaches an open body of water and picks up loose materials along the way.
The particles in the water interact with radiation from the shiny sun on the surface of the water. Molecular particles can either absorb this radiation or reflect it in a different direction – a process known as exciting. What we see with our own eyes is part of the radiation scattered from the surface of the water. It strongly affects how water appears to us, including its color.
Depending on the properties of the particles in our water sample, they will absorb and spread radiation with different wavelengths. The wavelength of light determines the color that we see with our own eyes.
Water that contains a lot of sediments – such as Missouri River, nicknamed “Muddy Big Muddy– The back light across the yellow to red. This makes the water appear Orange and muddy.
Clean, the most pure pure water rays in the blue range, making it look blue. One famous example is Lake Crater in OregonWhich is located in a volcanic hole and is nourished by rain and snow, without any currents to carry the sediments in it.
Deep water like Crate Lake looks dark blue, but very clear shallow water, like those around many Caribbean islands, can appear Light blue or turquoise. This happens because the light is reflected on the sandy white bottom.
When water contains a lot of vegetable substances, chlorophyll – pigment plants in its leaves – will absorb blue light and scattered green light. This often happens in areas with a lot of surface flow from very advanced areas, such as Oakishopi Lake in Florida. The surface flow contains fertilizers of farms and meadows, and it is made of nutrients The growth of the plant in the water caused.
Finally, some water contains many materials called The organic material that is free of color Often the decomposition of organisms and plants, as well as human or animal waste. This can happen in forest areas with a lot of animal life, or in populated areas that launch wastewater in tables and rivers. This substance mostly absorbs radiation and rear decline a little light across the spectrum, so it makes the water look very dark.
Bad flowers
Scientists expect that water in nature contains sediments, chlorophyll and organic materials. These materials help keep all living organisms in water, from small microbes to the fish we eat. But many good things can become a problem.
For example, when water contains a lot of nutrients and heat in bright sunny days, the growth of the plant in the water You can go out of control. Sometimes it causes Harmful algae flowers – poisonous algae columns that can make people very sick if they swim in water or eat the fish from which they came.
When water bodies become contaminated to the point that they threaten fish and plants, or humans who drink federal, state and state laws Governments are required to clean them. The color of the water can help direct these efforts.
My students and I collected water samples in Hi Rock LakeA common spot for swimming, passengers and fishing in the center of North Carolina. Because of the high levels of chlorophyll, algae flowers occur there often. Residents and visitors are concerned that these flowers will become harmful.
Using the satellite pictures of the lake and our samples data, we can produce Water quality maps. State officials use maps to track chlorophyll levels and know how to change in place and time. This information can help them warn the audience when there is algae prosperity and developing new rules to make the water cleaner.
Hello, curious children! Do you have a question you want an expert? I ask a very person to send your question to Uciouskidsus@theconversion.com. Please tell us your name, age, and city in which you live.
Since curiosity does not have the maximum age – adults, he told us what you also wonder. We will not be able to answer every question, but we will do our best.
This article has been republished from ConversationAn independent, non -profit news organization brings you facts and trusted analysis to help you understand our complex world. Written by: Courtney de Vitorioand Wake Forest University
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Courtney de Vitorio receives funding from the Office Environmental Granting Program in North Carolina (WFU021Pre1) for data collection at High Rock Lake, NC. It is affiliated with the Yadkin Riverkeepers Group, a group of non -profit environmental calls and the North Carolina Lake Administration Association.
