what is turbidity of water

Turbidity is a measure of the relative clarity of a liquid, specifically the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. It is an optical characteristic of water and is an important factor in water quality. Turbidity is closely correlated with total suspended solids (TSS) . High turbidity makes water appear cloudy or muddy. Turbidity can vary both horizontally and vertically in a water body, and water samples should be taken at regular increments across a water body and at various depths. Basic field data collected by a water quality monitoring program should include turbidity along with other parameters that may influence turbidity, such as temperature, streamflow, dissolved oxygen, specific conductance, and pH. Turbidity is a great indicator of water quality, whether that be regarding the quality of drinking water or the quality of aquatic environments. The way in which turbidity is measured has evolved over time, and the first known measure of turbidity was called the Jackson Candle Method, which used a vertical glass tube over a candle.