Does Turbidity Affect Oxygen Levels in Water?
Turbidity can impact dissolved oxygen levels in multiple ways through its light absorbing qualities and the chemical nature of the particles causing the turbidity. Turbidity and Light Absorbtion Turbidity causing particles absorb lots of the sun’s rays. When these rays are absorbed by a dark colored particle, energy is released as heat in much the same way that asphalt gets hot on sunny days. Due to this light absorbing property, turbid water it heated more rapidly by the sun than clearer water. As it warms, water loses its ability to hold dissolved oxygen; therefore turbidity can lead to a decrease in oxygen levels by its impact on water temperature. Turbidity and Nutrients Turbidity is often caused by tiny soil particles that have washed into a waterbody from the land. These particles can contain nutrients that, when combined with water and sunlight, cause explosive growth of algae. When this algae dies and decomposes. The decomposition of algae involves a biological process that use
