What does turbidity measure?

Turbidity is a measure of the clarity of water. It indicates how much light is scattered or absorbed by particles suspended in the water. High turbidity means that water contains a lot of suspended particles, which can make it appear murky or cloudy. These particles can include sediments, algae, and organic materials. Monitoring turbidity is important for assessing water quality, as high levels can affect aquatic life by blocking sunlight and disrupting photosynthesis.

The other choices relate to different aspects of water quality. Temperature refers to the heat content of water, pH measures the acidity or alkalinity, and salt concentration assesses how much salt is dissolved in the water, particularly relevant to studies involving saltwater ecosystems. Each of these parameters is important in its own right, but they do not pertain to turbidity.