Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Water Quality Engineering

Top 10 Commonly Confused Words in Water Quality Engineering 1. Turbidity vs. Transparency Turbidity refers to the cloudiness or haziness of a liquid caused by suspended particles. On the other hand, transparency is the measure of how clear a liquid is. While they both relate to clarity, they are distinct concepts. 2. Dissolved Oxygen vs. Free Oxygen Dissolved oxygen refers to the oxygen molecules that are present in water, typically absorbed from the atmosphere. Free oxygen, on the other hand, refers to oxygen that is not bound to other elements. Understanding their differences is crucial in assessing water quality and its impact on aquatic life. 3. BOD vs. COD BOD, or biological oxygen demand, is a measure of the amount of oxygen that microorganisms need to break down organic matter in water. COD, or chemical oxygen demand, measures the total amount of oxygen required to oxidize both organic and inorganic matter. While they both indicate water pollution, they provide different insights. 4. Point Source vs. Non-Point Source Pollution Point source pollution refers to pollution that can be traced back to a specific source, like a factory or a sewage treatment plant. Non-point source pollution, on the other hand, is more diffuse and comes from multiple sources, such as agricultural runoff. Understanding these sources helps in effective pollution management. 5. Coagulation vs. Flocculation