What does turbidity refer to in water quality?

Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of water caused by the presence of suspended particulate matter such as sediment, organic material, algae, or other large particles. High turbidity can indicate poor water quality and may affect aquatic life by reducing the penetration of sunlight, which is essential for photosynthesis, and can cause issues with oxygen levels in the water. It also serves as an important water quality indicator, as increases in turbidity can be linked to erosion, wastewater discharge, and other environmental factors affecting water bodies.

The other options focus on different aspects of water quality. While the presence of chemical contaminants, temperature fluctuations, and levels of dissolved solids are all important parameters in assessing water quality, they do not specifically describe turbidity. Turbidity is distinctly characterized by visual clarity and the degree to which water is opaque or unclear due to suspended particles.