15.

0 EXPERIMENT ON DETERMINATION OF TOTAL DISSOLVED

AND SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN WATER
Sl. No.

Contents
Preamble

15.1

Aim

15.2

Introduction
15.2.1

Environmental Significance

15.3

Principle

15.4

Materials Required
15.4.1

15.5

Apparatus Required
Sample Handling and Preservation

15.5.1
15.6

Precautions
Procedure

15.6.1

Testing of Sample for Total

Dissolved Solids

15.6.2

Testing of Sample for Total

Suspended Solids

15.7

Calculation
15.7.1

Table

15.7.2

Data Sheet

15.8

Interpretation of Results

15.9

Inference

15.10

Evaluation

15.0 EXPERIMENT ON DETERMINATION OF TOTAL DISSOLVED

AND SUSPENDED SOLIDS IN WATER
PREAMBLE:
How to determine total dissolved and suspended solids in Water and
Wastewater.
Test procedure is in accordance to IS: 3025 (Part 16 & Part 17).
In addition to our Indian Standard, we also discuss in brief regarding the
procedure stated in
(1) APHA Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater - 20th
Edition. Method 2540 C and 2540 D.
(2) Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, EPA-600/4-79-020, USEPA,
Method 160.1.

15.1 AIM
To determine total dissolved and suspended solids in the given water sample
with the stipulations as per IS: 3025 (Part 16 & Part 17).
15.2

INTRODUCTION

The term total dissolved solids refer to materials that are completely dissolved in
water. These solids are filterable in nature. It is defined as residue upon
evaporation of filterable sample. The term total suspended solids can be referred
to materials which are not dissolved in water and are non filterable in nature. It is
defined as residue upon evaporation of non filterable sample on a filter paper.
15.2.1 ENVIRONMENTAL SIGNIFICANCE

Dissolved minerals, gases and organic constituents may produce

aesthetically displeasing colour, taste and odour.

Some dissolved organic chemicals may deplete the dissolved oxygen in

the receiving waters and some may be inert to biological oxidation, yet
others have been identified as carcinogens.

Water with higher solids content often has a laxative and sometimes the
reverse effect upon people whose bodies are not adjusted to them.

High concentration of dissolved solids about 3000 mg/L may also produce
distress in livestock. In industries, the use of water with high amount of

dissolved solids may lead to scaling in boilers, corrosion and degraded

quality of the product.

Estimation of total dissolved solids is useful to determine whether the

water is suitable for drinking purpose, agriculture and industrial purpose.

Suspended material is aesthetically displeasing and provides adsorption

sites for chemical and biological agents.

Suspended organic solids which are degraded anaerobically may release

obnoxious odours.

Biologically active suspended solids may include disease causing

organisms as well as organisms such as toxic producing strains of algae.
The suspended solids parameter is used to measure the quality of
wastewater influent and effluent.

Suspended solids determination is extremely valuable in the analysis of

polluted waters.

Suspended solids exclude light, thus reducing the growth of oxygen

producing plants.

15.3

PRINCIPLE

A well mixed sample is filtered through a standard glass fiber filter, and the filtrate
is evaporated to dryness in a weighed dish and dried to constant weight at 179181C. The increase in dish weight represents the total dissolved solids.
A well mixed sample is filtered through a weighed standard glass fiber filter and
the residue retained on the filter is dried to a constant weight at 103-105C. The
increase n weight of the filter represents the total suspended solids. If the
suspended material clogs the filter and prolongs filtration, the difference between
the total solids and total dissolved solids may provide an estimate of the total
suspended solids.
15.4 MATERIALS REQUIRED
15.4.1 APPARATUS REQUIRED
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Evaporating Dish
Water Bath
Oven
Desiccators
Analytical Balance

6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Graduated Cylinders
Dish Tongs
Gooch Crucibles
Filter
Vacuum Pumps
Crucible tongs
Forceps, Smooth -tipped

15.5 SAMPLE HANDLING AND PRESERVATION

Preservation of sample is not practical. Because biological activity will continue
after a sample has been taken, changes may occur during handling and storage.
Both the characteristics and the amount of solids may change.
To reduce this change in samples taken for solids determinations, keep all
samples at 40 C.
Do not allow samples to freeze.
Analysis should begin as soon as possible.
15.5.1 PRECAUTIONS
The following precautions should be observed while performing the experiment:
Water or Wastewater samples which contain high concentrations of
calcium, chloride, magnesium or sulfate can rapidly absorb moisture from
the air.

Such samples may need to be dried for a longer period of time, cooled
under proper desiccation and weighed rapidly in order to achieve a
reasonable constant weight.

We should be aware prolonged drying may result in loss of constituents,

particularly nitrates and chlorides.

Volume of sample should be adjusted to have residue left after drying as

100 to 200mg. It is mainly to prevent large amount of residue in entrapping
water during evaporation.

Samples with high concentrations or bicarbonate require additional drying

at 180C to ensure that all of the bicarbonate is converted to carbonate.

15.6 PROCEDURE
15.6.1. TESTING OF SAMPLE FOR TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS

To measure total dissolved solids, take a clean porcelain dish which has been
washed and dried in a hot air oven at 180(C for one hour.

Now weigh the empty evaporating dish in analytical balance. Lets denote
the weight measured as W1 = 35.4329 g.

Mix sample well and pour into a funnel with filter paper. Filter
approximately 80 -100 mL of sample.

Using pipette transfer 75mL of unfiltered sample in the porcelain dish.

Switch on the oven and allowed to reach 105C. Check and regulate oven
and furnace temperatures frequently to maintain the desired temperature
range.

Place it in the hot air oven and care should be taken to prevent splattering
of sample during evaporation or boiling.

Dry the sample to get constant mass. Drying for long duration usually 1 to
2 hours is done to eliminate necessity of checking for constant mass.

Cool the container in a desiccator. Desiccators are designed to provide

an environment of standard dryness. This is maintained by the desiccant
found inside. Don't leave the lid off for prolonged periods or the desiccant
will soon be exhausted. Keep desiccator cover greased with the
appropriate type of lubricant in order to seal the desiccator and prevent
moisture from entering the desiccator as the test glassware cools.

We should weigh the dish as soon as it has cooled to avoid absorption of

moisture due to its hygroscopic nature. Samples need to be measured
accurately, weighed carefully, and dried and cooled completely.

Note the weight with residue as W 2 = 35.4498 g.

15.6.2 TESTING OF SAMPLE FOR TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS

Place filtration apparatus with weighed filter in filter flask.

Mix sample well and pour into a graduated cylinder to the selected
volume.

Apply suction to filter flask and seat filter with a small amount of distilled
water.

Pour selected volume into filtration apparatus.

Draw sample through filter into filter flask.

Rinse graduated cylinder into filtration apparatus with three successive 10

mL portions of distilled water, allowing complete drainage between each
rinsing.

Continue suction for three minutes after filtration of final rinse is

completed.

Dry filter in an oven at 103-105C for at least 1 hour.

Cool filter in desiccator to room temperature.

When cool, weigh the filter and support.

15.7 CALCULATION
15.7.1 TABLE
Total Dissolved Solids

Description

Weight (g)

Weight of the clean porcelain evaporating dish (g)

W1

Weight of the dish and the residue (g)

W2

Weight of residue(g)

Volume of the Sample (mL)

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) TDS

Tabulation for Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):

Weight of the clean porcelain evaporating dish (g) W 1 =35.4329
Weight of the dish and the residue (g) W 2 =35.4498
Weight of residue (g) W =0.0169
The volume of the sample (mL) V = 50.0

Total Suspended Solids

Description

Weight (g)

Weight of the clean filter paper (g)

W1

Weight of the filter paper and the residue (g)

W2

Weight of residue(g)

Volume of the Sample (mL)

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) TSS

Tabulation for Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Weight of the clean filter paper (g) W 1 =1.6329
Weight of the clean filter paper and the residue (g) W 2 =1.6531
Weight of residue (g) W =0.0202
Volume of the sample (mL) V = 100.0

15.7.2 DATA SHEET

DETERMINATION OF TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS

DATA SHEET
Date Tested

: August 30, 2010

Tested By

: CEM Class, Group A

Project Name

: CEM, NITTTR Lab

Sample Number

: BH1

Sample Location

: Perungudi (Lat 12 57 31.74 & Long 8014 8.82)

Sample Description : Surface water

Weight of the clean porcelain evaporating dish (g)

W1

Weight
(g)
35.4329

Weight of the dish and the residue (g)

W2

35.4498

Weight of residue(g)

0.0169

Volume of the Sample (mL)

50. 0

Description

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L) TDS

338.0

Model Calculation:
W1
= 35. 4329 g
W2
= 35. 4498 g
V
= 50. 0 mL
Weight of residue (g) W
= W2 - W1
= 35. 4498 - 35. 4329
= 0. 0169 g
Weight of residue in mg (To convert W (g) to W (mg), multiply W (g) with 1000)
W (mg)
= 0.0169 x 1000
= 16.9mg
Multiply the weight of the dry solids (in mg) by 1,000 mL/L to convert the sample size from mL to L.

Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

V = Volume of the sample (mL) (To convert mL to L, multiply by 1000)
=16.9 mg/50 mL = 0.338 mg/mL
= 0.338 mg/mL x 1,000 mL/L = 338 mg/L

DETERMINATION OF TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS

DATA SHEET
Date Tested

: August 30, 2010

Tested By

: CEM Class, Group A

Project Name

: CEM, NITTTR Lab

Sample Number

: BH1

Sample Location

: Perungudi (Lat 12 57 31.74 & Long 8014 8.82)

Sample Description : Surface water

Weight of the clean filter paper (g)

W1

Weight
(g)
1.6329

Weight of the filter paper and the residue (g)

W2

1.6531

Weight of residue(g)

0.0202

Volume of the Sample (mL)

100. 0

Description

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) TDS

202.0

Model Calculation:
W1
= 1.6329g
W2
= 1.6531g
V
= 100.0 mL
Weight of residue (g) W
= W2 - W1
= 1.6531 - 1.6329
= 0. 0202 g
Weight of residue in mg (To convert W (g) to W (mg), multiply W (g) with 1000)
W (mg)
= 0.0202 x 1000
= 20.2 mg
Multiply the weight of the dry solids (in mg) by 1,000 mL/L to convert the sample size from mL to L.

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)

V = Volume of the sample (mL) (To convert mL to L, multiply by 1000)
=20.2 mg/100 mL = 0.202 mg/mL
= 0.202 mg/mL x 1,000 mL/L = 202 mg/L

15.8 INTERPRETATION OF RESULTS

In the given sample, total dissolved solid is to 338 mg/L and total suspended
solid is to 202 mg/L.
15.9

INFERENCE

Water can be classified by the amount of TDS per litre:

fresh water < 1500 mg/L TDS
brackish water 1500 to 5000 mg/L TDS
saline water > 5000 mg/L TDS
The following charts give some common ranges for TSS results and possible
removal efficiencies for various types of treatment.
Sample

Common Ranges, mg/L

Influent

Weak

< 150

400+ Strong

Primary Effluent

Weak

<60

150+ Strong

Secondary Effluent

Good

10 -

60+ Bad

Tertiary Effluent

Less than 3

Activated Sludge

15.10

Mixed Liquor (MLSS)

1,000 - 5,000

Return or waste sludge

2,000 - 12,000

Digester Supernatent

3,000 - 10,000

Sludge

20,000 - 60,000

EVALUATION

1. The pore size of the filter paper used for filtration is

a)
b)
c)
d)

2.0m or smaller
2.0m or bigger
2.0m
20.0m

2. The type of crucible used for the experiment is made of _______.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Porcelain
Clay
Silver
Iron

3. Total Suspended Solids are mostly responsible for

a)
b)
c)
d)

Turbidity.
colour
Odour
Taste

4. The chemical substance used in the desiccators is _____.

a)
b)
c)
d)

Calcium Chloride
Calcium Carbonate
Sodium Chloride
Sodium Hydroxide

5. Always the Total Suspended Solids value will be

a)
b)
c)
d)

Less than Total Dissolved Solids

Greater than Total Dissolved Solids
Less than Total Solids
Greater than Total Solids

6. High total dissolved solids indicates lower level of hardness.

a) True
b) False
7. The concentration of dissolved solids in water can be determined by specific
conductance.
a) True
b) False

8. The settleable suspended solids with diameter 0.15 to 0.2mm are generally
a)
b)
c)
d)

inorganic
Organic
algae
fungi

9. The dissolved solids that impose BOD are ______.

a)
b)
c)
d)

volatile solids
non volatile solids
inorganic solids
total solids

10. As per IS Code the acceptable TDS value is

a)
b)
c)
d)

250 ppm
500 ppm
750 ppm
900 ppm

KEY TO ITEMS:

1) a
2) a
3) a
4) a
5) c
6) False
7) True
8) a
9) a
10) b