What does turbidity measure in water?

Turbidity measures the relative clarity of water, indicating how clear or cloudy the water appears. This is primarily influenced by the presence of suspended particles, such as sediment, algae, or microscopic organisms, which scatter and absorb light. Higher turbidity levels indicate more suspended particles, leading to decreased clarity, which can have implications for aquatic life and drinking water quality. Understanding turbidity is crucial for water quality monitoring, as it can impact photosynthesis in aquatic plants and affect the overall health of ecosystems.

The other choices do not define turbidity accurately. For example, temperature measures the warmth or coolness of water, while the concentration of dissolved salts pertains to salinity, and the presence of harmful bacteria specifically relates to microbial contamination rather than clarity.