Shade balls to the rescue

[Bub]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/11/431670483/la-rolls-out-water-saving-shade-balls?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

Should they be black or white?

 

[RDPipes]

http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2015/08/11/431670483/la-rolls-out-water-saving-shade-balls?utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=news

Should they be black or white?

That was my first question when see'en them Black but, black may absorb more heat then white, I reckon if the water is Completely covered by them there be no evaporation so the temp of the ball won't mater.
That's just me thinking out loud.

 

[bosun1]

might even work? water evaporates as a function of its temperature (plus humidity levels & wind effect evaporation too). warmer the water - the faster it evaporates. Extreme example is a pot of boiling water. So if the water is 70 degrees it will evap at a certain speed..if it gets warmer it will evap faster. black absorbs heat faster than a reflective surface..the black balls will transfer the heat to the water .. increased evaporation. now if they used those mirrored 'disco balls' that might have an affect. Or they could cover the water with a non-evaporating fluid to see what helps..sounds like "A sucker us born every minute"..

 

[R. M. Perkins]

Cool deal, but yeah, I'm thinking white would work better.

 

[Jevverrett]

I would say white as well. Also, I'm guessing somebody must've tested this theory somehow.

 

[Ozark Wizard]

White balls would show the green algae bloom, as black won't. And, (smirk, forgive me, BUT) it takes fewer black balls because they are larger........... :lol!: