Abstract
I AM reminded by Lord Rayleigh's lecture on this subject of the splendid light-blue colour presented by the tanks of water in which some of the water companies allow the sedimentation to take place of “hard water” which has been treated by Clark's process. I am thinking of those near Caterham and of those at Plumstead. The tanks—to the best of my recollection—are about 20 feet by 40 feet in area and 15 feet deep. The water in the tanks has become perfectly (or nearly) clear, whilst the sides and bottom of the tanks are made brilliantly white by the deposit of calcium carbonate. The intense blue colour is seen at (practically) any angle of vision, and on a sunless, overcast day as, vividly as in sunshine. It would be important to ascertain whether the blue colour thus seen is entirely due to the self-colour of the water or whether the phenomenon is in any way due to the minutest white particles of calcium carbonate which are still floating in the apparently clear water, and are acting as do the particles of a blue vapour-cloud. I suppose that it would be an easy thing for a physicist to determine this by the use of a polariscope at the side of the tank.
Similar content being viewed by others
Article PDF
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
LANKESTER, E. The Colour of Water. Nature 83, 68 (1910). https://doi.org/10.1038/083068b0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/083068b0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.