turbidity vs color vs particles?
in Environment
I am confused with the definition of turbidity, color and particles.
Turbidity is a measurement of clarity, so if the color increases should turbidity also increases?
The way how instrument measure turbidity is to see how lights reflect @ 90 degree, while particle counter is by having a laser shooting straight across and if the particles block the laser path, then the particle count value goes up. How are they different? Other than one is @ 90 degree and the other is straight across.
Comments
Color can be measured in two general ways - apparent and true. Apparent is with the turbidity, true the turbidity is removed. True is the value that is used for regulatory purposes. So turbidity will increase apparent color, but not true color.
The difference between the turbidity and particle count is that they really and related but very different measurements. Depending on the particle size and number, you can get different turbidities. One extreme example is that a solution of nanoparticles will appear perfectly clear since you can not see them. Turbidity should be considered a general appearance measurement. Sort of like smell versus alcohol content.
yes