0
A turbidity reading of 0-10 JTU or NTU is considered normal. A Secchi depth less of less than 1 meter indicates a high concentration of suspended solids.
Background Information
Turbidity refers to how clear or how cloudy the water is. Clear water has a low turbidity level and cloudy or muddy water has a high turbidity level. High levels of turbidity can be caused by suspended particles in the water such as soil, sediments, sewage, and plankton. Soil can get in the water by erosion or runoff from nearby lands. Sediments can be stirred up by too much activity in the water, either by fish or humans. Sewage is a result of waste discharge and high levels of plankton may be due to excessive nutrients in the water.
If the turbidity of the water is high, there will be many suspended particles in it. These solid particles will block sunlight and prevent aquatic plants from getting the sunlight they need for photosynthesis. The plants will produce less oxygen thereby decreasing the DO levels. The plants will die more easily and be decomposed by bacteria in the water, which will reduce the DO levels even further.
Suspended particles in the water also absorb additional heat from sunlight which will result in warmer water. Warm water is not able to hold as much oxygen as cold water so DO levels will decrease, especially near the surface.
Suspended particles are also destructive to many aquatic organisms. They can clog the gills of fish and interfere with their ability to find food. They can also bury bottom dwelling creatures and eggs. Suspended particles can transport pollutants through the water.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Add your answer:
Earn +20 pts
What effect would turbidity have on photosynthesis?
turbidity is the level of transparency of the water. if the turbidity of the water is really good then the sunlight can get through to the organisms that need to photosynthesize. on the other hand if the water is too murky then the sunlight cannot pass through to those organisms.
How much turbidity is bad in water?
Well, turbidity is the measurement of how much sediment is suspended in water. So high amounts of turbidity are not good, because it can suffocate the stream and block sunlight from the animals living in the stream.
What causes turbidity currents?
Turbidity currents are caused by sand and mud on the continental shelf and slope that is dislodged and thrown into suspension. Turbidity currents themselves are downslope movements of dense, sediment-laden water. Source: I'm in a college level geology course.
What causes turbidity in lagoons What is the reliability of turbidity data?
turbidity is pollution, thus runoffs and fertilizer and anything that makes up pollution is turbidity.
How can you check turbidity in pure vacuum dried salt?
A dried salt has not turbidity.
What is the turbidity NTU?
The turbidity NTU standards should be less than 5
How does water flow affect turbidity?
i have tested the to doing charts and graphs and when stream flow is fast the turbidity raises and and when the stream flow decreases so does the turbidity
Does adding more lime slurry drop the pH or turbidity?
The pH and turbidity increases.
What is an abiotic that affects a fresh water ecosystem?
temperature, current, and turbidity A+temperature, current, and turbidity
Turbidity current density results from water mixing with what substance?
Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid. Turbidity current density results from water mixing with sediment particles.
What is the measure of turbidity?
That is cloudiness and brown colour in water. Not always harmful, but a good idea to get a sample to a lab and analyse it.
Is turbidity abiotic?
yes
