Relationship between Color CIEL∗a∗b∗ and Total Organic Carbon in Compost

Abstract

The CIEL∗a∗b∗ coordinates and the total organic carbon content in compost were correlated. Two particle sizes of 0.5 and 2 mm were obtained in the compost samples; the surface color was analyzed with a CIEL∗a∗b∗ colorimeter and the total organic carbon content by spectrophotometry at 588.9 nm. The results indicate that all chromaticity values were significantly affected (p0.95). The coordinates a∗ (r=−0.992) and b∗ (r=0.968) have the potential to be used in estimating the total organic carbon concentration in the compost samples analyzed.