Which instrument is commonly used to measure turbidity?

Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness or haziness of a liquid, often caused by the presence of suspended particles. The instrument commonly used to measure turbidity is the nephelometer. This device operates by shining a light through the water sample and measuring the amount of light that is scattered by the suspended particles. The degree of scattering is directly related to the concentration of particles in the water, thus providing an accurate assessment of turbidity levels.

A nephelometer specifically uses principles of light scattering to quantify turbidity, making it highly effective for this purpose. In contrast, while a spectrophotometer can analyze light absorption and may offer information on water quality, it is not specifically designed for measuring turbidity, as it is used for different types of analyses. A pH meter measures the acidity or alkalinity of a solution and does not provide information about turbidity. A microscope, while useful for observing particulate matter, does not quantify turbidity but rather allows for direct visualization of particles.

Understanding the unique capabilities of each instrument highlights why the nephelometer is the preferred choice for measuring turbidity in water quality assessments.