What is turbidity in water?

Turbidity in water refers to the cloudiness or haziness caused by large quantities of suspended particles, such as clay, silt, and other sediments. When water contains these particles, light is scattered as it passes through, resulting in a decrease in clarity. High turbidity can be indicative of pollution or erosion in a water body, and it may affect aquatic life by reducing the amount of light that penetrates the water, impacting photosynthesis and the overall health of the ecosystem.

In contrast, water with high temperature generally refers to thermal conditions, which is unrelated to turbidity. Water with low salt concentration describes freshwater conditions, which also does not directly correlate to turbidity. Completely clear water, on the other hand, represents water with low turbidity, indicating minimal suspended particles. Therefore, the character of turbidity is specifically defined by the presence of particles that cause cloudiness, making the correct choice directly associated with the definition of turbidity.