Part 2 - Turbidity

This section of Understanding Healthy Waterways poses the question: How does turbidity affect the health of a waterway? But:

• What is turbidity?
"Turbidity is a measure of the cloudiness of water.
Turbid water does not look clear..."
• What causes turbidity?
“Turbidity is caused by the addition of particles
from an outside source to the water body.” These
particles may come from run-off, soil erosion and
so on.
• Why does turbidity matter?

Students will aim to explore the guiding question about this important measure of water quality through following a coherent learning sequence.
The sequence is based around the 5Es:

ENGAGE:  Students complete a hands-on activity to
explore what turbidity looks like.
EXPLORE:  Students explore sources of turbidity
using a vivid simulation activity and then experiment
with sediments and measuring turbidity.
EXPLAIN:  Students find out the science of why
turbidity matters to waterways and water life.
ELABORATE:  Students plan their own experiments
to find out more.
EVALUATE:  Students reflect on the problem and
look at local examples of where turbidity matters.

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Part 2 - Turbidity (pdf file size 1.4Mb)