HydroColor is a specialized water quality application available for iPhone users, designed to assess the turbidity and reflectance of natural water bodies. By utilizing the iPhone camera, the app captures images of a gray card, sky, and water, which are essential for accurate analysis. It calculates key metrics such as turbidityNTU), suspended particulate matter concentration, and backscattering coefficients. The app's interface is user-friendly, guiding users through the image collection process while leveraging the device's GPS, gyroscope, and compass for optimal results.

Once images are collected, HydroColor provides immediate analysis, offering insights into water quality based on RGB reflectance values. The data, including measurement details like location and time, can be saved and accessed later or downloaded to a computer. The method employed by HydroColor is rooted in established scientific research, making it a valuable tool for environmental monitoring and study.