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 specifically refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a fluid due to large numbers of individual particles. These particles can include sediments, organic matter, and microorganisms, which scatter and absorb light, thereby reducing the water's clarity. High turbidity indicates a higher concentration of these particles and, consequently, less light penetration, which can affect aquatic ecosystems by impacting photosynthesis and aquatic life.

Clarity relates generally to the clearness or cleanliness of water and is a broader term that encompasses aspects of turbidity but does not specifically describe the suspended particles themselves. Salinity measures the concentration of dissolved salts in water and is not related to light transmission. Purity pertains to the overall quality or absence of pollutants in the water but does not specifically focus on the suspended particles that cause turbidity.