What term describes substances that are water fearing, particularly in terms of turbidity?

The term that describes substances that are water-fearing, particularly in the context of turbidity, is hydrophobic. Hydrophobic substances do not interact favorably with water molecules; they tend to repel water and do not dissolve or disperse easily in aqueous environments. This characteristic is important in the study of turbidity because hydrophobic materials can contribute to cloudiness in water by clumping together rather than remaining evenly distributed in the water column.

Understanding hydrophobic behavior is crucial when dealing with water treatment processes, as these substances can affect the clarity and overall quality of water. Techniques such as flocculation may be employed to manage turbidity caused by hydrophobic materials, enabling water operators to enhance water quality effectively. In contrast, hydrophilic substances attract and bind with water, and colloidal refers to tiny particles that can remain suspended in water. Flocculent relates to the process of forming aggregates to remove particles from water but does not specifically denote a water-fearing characteristic.