What is the primary property of turbidity that causes electro-chemical repulsion?

The primary property of turbidity that causes electro-chemical repulsion is zeta potential. Zeta potential is a measure of the magnitude of the electrostatic or charge repulsion or attraction between particles, which affects their stability in a suspension. When particles in water have a high zeta potential, they carry a significant electrical charge, leading to electro-chemical repulsion between particles. This repulsion prevents them from aggregating or settling, which is crucial in understanding how turbidity impacts water quality.

In contrast, pH levels influence the charge on particles but do not directly relate to the electro-chemical forces that cause repulsion in suspensions. Osmotic pressure refers to the movement of solvent across a semipermeable membrane and is not a direct factor in turbidity. Conductivity measures the ability of water to conduct an electric current, which can be influenced by dissolved ions, but it is not the main property responsible for the charge interactions that define zeta potential. Thus, zeta potential stands out as the primary factor in causing electro-chemical repulsion among suspended particles in turbid water.