What is the phenomenon called that causes attenuation due to suspended particles in water?

The correct answer is associated with the phenomenon known as "scattering." This occurs when light or sound waves encounter suspended particles in water, causing the waves to deviate from their original path. Various sizes and types of particles can influence how much scattering takes place.

In an oceanographic context, when sound waves travel through water that contains turbid or suspended matter, the interaction with these particles can lead to a reduction in signal strength, termed attenuation. This is particularly significant in underwater acoustics, where the clarity of sound transmission is critical for applications such as sonar and communication.

Other options like absorption involve the conversion of wave energy into other forms, which affects the amplitude but not specifically through interaction with particles. Refraction pertains to the bending of waves as they pass through different mediums, while diffraction deals with the spreading of waves around obstacles and through apertures. Both of these phenomena do not directly relate to the effects produced by suspended particles in water.