Chemistry for Environmental Engineering and Science, 5th Edition

CHAPTER 14 - PROBLEM SOLUTIONS

14-1 Color in water generally results from natural organic materials in water resulting from
decay of vegetation. Iron can cause color in water. Also, water may be colored from
discharge of highly colored waters such as from the dying industry or pulp and paper mill
operation.

14-2 Color caused by suspended material is called apparent color. Color that is colloidal or
smaller in size is termed true color.

14-3 Both the U.S. EPA and WHO set a recommended or secondary standard for water of 15
color units. This is for aesthetic reasons as color is perceived by some as evidence of
wastewater contamination.

14-4 The color produced by 1 mg/L of platinum (in the form of K2PtCl6) is taken as the
standard unit of color.

14-5 Cobalt is added to provide the proper tint for color standards.

14-6 The platinum standard procedure for color is generally used for judging the color of
water when the color is of natural origin. Spectophotometric methods are used to judge
color due to domestic and industrial wastewaters where the color may not be similar to
the yellow hue of natural organic materials.

14-7 Color determinations are made when seeking a satisfactory source of water for domestic
purposes. Color removal is expensive and the potential need for color removal is an
important consideration in seeking a satisfactory water source. Color measurements are
made for research and control of chemical additions for color removal and in
determination of the quality of water provided the consumer.

14-8 Natural color forming materials can react with chlorine to form trihalomethanes, which
are of health concern.

14-9 Color is normally removed from water by chemical treatment.

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