turbidez

Turbidez refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid, most commonly water, caused by a suspension of individual particles. These particles can be inorganic, such as silt and clay, or organic, including plankton, algae, and other microorganisms. The presence of these suspended solids scatters light, making the fluid appear less transparent.

The measurement of turbidez is typically expressed in nephelometric turbidity units (NTU) or Jackson turbidity units (JTU). NTU is determined using a nephelometer, which measures the amount of light scattered by the sample at a right angle to the incident light beam. JTU is based on visual comparison of light passing through a sample against a standard light source.

High levels of turbidez can have significant environmental implications. In aquatic ecosystems, it can reduce light penetration, hindering the growth of submerged aquatic vegetation and affecting photosynthetic organisms like algae. It can also clog the gills of fish, leading to suffocation. Furthermore, turbidez can act as a carrier for pollutants, such as heavy metals and pathogens, as these substances can adsorb onto the suspended particles.

In drinking water treatment, turbidez is a key indicator of water quality. High turbidez can interfere with disinfection processes, as microorganisms may be shielded from disinfectants. Therefore, water treatment plants employ various methods to reduce turbidez, including coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, and filtration, to ensure the safety and palatability of drinking water.