Turbidity: meaning, definitions and examples
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turbidity
[tɜːrˈbɪdəti ]
Definition
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.
- ...
- 14896 reminiscences
- 14897 forlorn
- 14898 scrape
- 14899 turbidity
- 14900 ivy
- 14901 tinted
- 14902 hallucinations
- ...