Turbidity: meaning, definitions and examples

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turbidity

 

[tɜːrˈbɪdəti ]

Definition

Context #1 | Noun

water quality

Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye. It is a key indicator of water quality, affecting the amount of light that can penetrate water bodies, which in turn affects aquatic life.

Synonyms

cloudiness, murkiness, opaqueness.

Examples of usage

  • The turbidity of the river increased after the rain.
  • High turbidity can indicate pollution in the water.
  • The team measured the turbidity levels to assess the lake's health.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the Latin 'turbiditas', meaning 'disturbance' or 'muddiness'.
  • It reflects the concept of being stirred up or mixed, which makes water not clear.

Environmental Science

  • High turbidity in water bodies can indicate pollution and is harmful to aquatic life.
  • Excessive turbidity reduces sunlight penetration, affecting photosynthesis in plants underwater.

Health and Safety

  • Drinking water with high turbidity can harbor harmful microorganisms, leading to health risks.
  • Regulatory agencies often monitor turbidity levels to ensure water safety for public consumption.

Water Treatment

  • Water treatment plants use flocculation, a process that helps reduce turbidity by clumping particles together for removal.
  • Turbidity is an important factor in assessing water quality in various sectors, including agriculture and aquaculture.

Indicators of Change

  • Changes in turbidity can indicate natural events like storms or human activities like construction near water bodies.
  • Monitoring turbidity helps scientists understand erosion patterns and sediment transport in rivers.

Translations

Translations of the word "turbidity" in other languages:

🇵🇹 turbidez

🇮🇳 क्लांतता

🇩🇪 Trübung

🇮🇩 kekeruhan

🇺🇦 турбідність

🇵🇱 mętność

🇯🇵 濁り

🇫🇷 turbidité

🇪🇸 turbidez

🇹🇷 bulanıklık

🇰🇷 탁도

🇸🇦 عكارة

🇨🇿 zakalení

🇸🇰 zakalenosť

🇨🇳 浑浊

🇸🇮 motnost

🇮🇸 þokki

🇰🇿 бұлттылық

🇬🇪 ბილწი

🇦🇿 bulanıqlıq

🇲🇽 turbidez

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,899, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.