Application of the CIE-L*a*b* system to characterize soil color

Abstract

Identification and classification of many soils are based on their color characteristics. The main soil pigments are humus providing a dark color to soil, as well as hematite αFe₂O₃ and other Fe(III) (hydr)oxides coloring the soil in red and yellow. The soil classification is possible only upon the quantitative color assessment, the CIE-L*a*b* system being the most convenient, as it represents a versatile color space in Cartesian coordinates. The indices of lightness L*, redness a*, and yellowness b* may serve as quantitative characteristics of soils in tundra and taiga zones. The difference in redness a* and yellowness b* may be used in identifying the type of predominating Fe-pigment in soils. The humus content may be determined according to the soil lightness, and the accuracy in its quantitative determination increases when the humus type is considered, as the humate humus is darker than the fulvate humus.