Saturatsiooni

Saturatsiooni is the Estonian term for saturation, a concept used across disciplines to describe a state in which a system has absorbed or utilized as much of a given quantity as conditions allow. Once saturation is reached, further input produces little or no change in the measured response.

In chemistry and materials science, saturation refers to the solubility limit of a solute in a solvent at a given temperature. When a solution contains as much solute as possible, undissolved material remains. Under certain conditions a solution can become supersaturated, temporarily holding more solute than at equilibrium.

In optics and image processing, saturation describes the intensity of color. High saturation yields vivid colors, while low saturation moves toward gray. Camera sensors, displays, and printers have saturation limits, and digital processing often adjusts saturation to compensate for clipping or to achieve a desired visual effect.

In electronics and signal processing, saturation indicates a limit where further input does not produce proportional output. For transistors, saturation means the device cannot increase current despite more drive. In amplifiers and detectors, saturation occurs when outputs reach the supply rails or the dynamic range of the system.

In physiology, oxygen saturation (SpO2) measures the proportion of hemoglobin carrying oxygen in the blood. It is routinely monitored in medical settings. Normal values for healthy individuals lie roughly between 95% and 100%; lower values can indicate hypoxemia and require clinical evaluation.