Book 13, Question 93
Why Is Muddy Water Cloudy?
Muddy water is full of tiny bits of dirt that float around. Each bit bounces some of the light in a new direction, so light gets scattered before it can travel far. You cannot see deep into the water.
More fun facts
- Turbidity is a measure of how cloudy water is.
- It measures how much light is scattered by bits floating in the water.
- During a rainstorm, soil from the land washes into rivers and turns them muddy brown.
- Muddy water has high turbidity.
- Clay, silt, algae and tiny living things can all make water cloudy.
- Lots of mud settling in streams can harm places where fish live.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Geological Survey
Questions kids ask
Why does a river get muddy after rain?
Rain washes soil from the land into the river.