What does a high JTU indicate about a body of water?

A high JTU, which stands for Jackson Turbidity Unit, is an indication of the turbidity level of a body of water. Turbidity measures the clarity of water and is affected by the presence of suspended particles like sediments, organic matter, and microorganisms. When turbidity is high, it means that there are significant amounts of these particles present, making the water less clear.

In the context of water quality, high turbidity can impact aquatic life by reducing light penetration, which can affect photosynthesis and habitat quality. It can also indicate potential pollution or disturbances in the water body, such as runoff or erosion.

The other choices do not accurately reflect the significance of a high JTU. High turbidity (represented by high JTU values) suggests that the water is likely not clear, contradicting the idea of low organic matter or absence of bacteria, which are factors that could still be present even in turbid water.