Transparency of water relates to the depth in water up to which the light will penetrate. Since the sun is the primary source of energy for all biological phenomenon, transmission of sunlight into the water body is extremely important to help the aquatic plants perform photosynthesis, production of Oxygen and food for the consumers. Transparency of water is adversely affected when it has large amount of sediments and / or suspended material. Transparency affects the distribution and depth of aquatic plants and other aquatic organisms, dissolution of Oxygen content and distribution of temperature in water.
The simplest method of measuring the transparency in water is determination of depth of light penetration by using Secchi disc.