Turbidity
- February 15, 2021
- Posted by: OptimizeIAS Team
- Category: DPN Topics
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Turbidity
Subject: Environment
Context: Debris and silt across Ganga after Uttarakhand flood raised turbidity of water impacting water supply in Delhi.
Concept:
- It is the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. It is considered good measure of quality of water.
- Turbidity is a measure of relative clarity of a liquid and is measured in Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). Debris, silt and mud in the water are among the reasons behind high turbidity.
- WHO establishes that the turbidity of drinking water shouldn’t be more than 5 NTU, and should ideally be below 1 NTU.
- A turbidity measurement could be used to provide an estimation of the TSS (Total Suspended Solids) concentration, which is otherwise a tedious and difficult parameter to measure.
Sources/Factors of turbidity include:
- Phytoplankton
- Sediments from erosion
- Resuspended sediments from the bottom (frequently stir up by bottom feeders like carp)
- Waste discharge
- Algae growth
- Urban runoff
Impact of turbidity
- Affects drinking water quality
- Suspended particles absorb heat from the sunlight, making turbid waters become warmer, and so reducing the concentration of oxygen in the water
- Many organisms can’t survive in warm water
- It also helps the attachment of heavy metals and many other toxic organic compounds and pesticides