What is the term for the particles suspended in water that affect its ability to transmit light?

The correct term for the particles suspended in water that affect its ability to transmit light is turbidity. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid caused by large numbers of individual particles that are generally invisible to the naked eye, such as sediment, algae, or pollutants. When turbidity is high, it prevents light from penetrating the water column effectively, which can negatively impact aquatic life by inhibiting photosynthesis in aquatic plants and affecting the overall ecosystem.

Clarity, while it might seem related, generally refers to the overall transparency of the water, which is directly influenced by turbidity but is not a scientific term used to describe the suspended particles themselves. Salinity pertains to the salt concentration in water and is unrelated to light transmission. Purity refers to the cleanliness or absence of contaminants, which can also affect water quality but does not specifically describe the suspended particles that impact light transmission.