1.

OBJECTIVE

To provide and strengthen knowledge, skill, and understanding in solid determination and
enable to relate theories taught to the practices in laboratory.
2.0

THEORY
Solids refer to matter suspended or dissolved in water or wastewater. Solids may

affect water or effluent quality in a number of ways. Water with high dissolved solids is
generally of inferior palatability and may induce unfavorable physiological response in
the transient consumer. Highly mineralized waters are unsuitable for many industrial
applications. High suspended solids content can also be detrimental to aquatic plants and
animals by limiting light and deteriorating habitat. Solids in water are divided by two
categories, which are Total Suspended Solids, Total Dissolved Solids and Volatile solids.
Total Suspended solids are including all particles suspended in water which will
not pass through a filter. Suspended solids are present in sanitary wastewater and many
types of industrialwastewater. There are also nonpoint sources of suspended solids, such
as soil erosion fromagricultural and construction sites. As levels of TSS increase, a water
body begins to lose its ability to support a diversity of aquaticlife. Suspended solids
absorb heat from sunlight, which increases water temperature andsubsequently decreases
levels of dissolved oxygen (warmer water holds less oxygen than coolerwater). Some
cold water species, such as trout and stoneflies, are especially sensitive to changes in
dissolved oxygen. Photosynthesis also decreases, since less light penetrates the water. As
less oxygen is produced by plants and algae, there is a further drop in dissolved oxygen
levels. TSS can also destroy fish habitat because suspended solids settle to the bottom and
can eventually blanket the river bed. Suspended solids can smother the eggs of fish and
aquatic insects, and can suffocate newly-hatched insect larvae. Suspended solids can also
harm fish directly by clogging gills, reducing growth rates, and lowering resistance to
disease. Changes to the aquatic environment may result in a diminished food sources, and
increased difficulties in finding food. Natural movements and migrations of aquatic
populations may be disrupted.
While Total dissolved solids is an expression for the combined content of all
inorganic and organic substances contained in a liquid which are present in a molecular,

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ionized or micro-granular (colloidal sol) suspended form. Generally the operational

definition is that the solids (often abbreviated TDS) must be small enough to survive
filtration through a sieve size of two micrometres. Total dissolved solids are normally
only discussed for freshwater systems, since salinity comprises some of the ions
constituting the definition of TDS. The principal application of TDS is in the study of
water quality for streams, rivers and lakes, although TDS is generally considered not as a
primary pollutant (e.g. it is not deemed to be associated with health effects), but it is
rather used as an indication of aesthetic characteristics of drinking water and as an
aggregate indicator of presence of a broad array of chemical contaminants. Primary
sources for TDS in receiving waters are agricultural runoff, leaching of soil
contamination and point source water pollution discharge from industrial or sewage
treatment plants. The most common chemical constituents are calcium, phosphates,
nitrates, sodium, potassium and chloride, which are found in nutrient runoff, general
stormwater runoff and runoff from snowy climates where road de-icing salts are applied.
The chemicals may be cations, anions, molecules or agglomerations on the order of 1000
or fewer molecules, so long as a soluble micro-granule is formed. More exotic and
harmful elements of TDS are pesticides arising from surface runoff. Certain naturally
occurring total dissolved solids arise from the weathering and dissolution of rocks and
soils. The United States has established a secondary water quality standard of 500 mg/l to
provide for palatability of drinking water.
Fixed solids is refer to the residual of total, suspended or dissolved solids after
heating to dryness for a specified time at a specified temperature 500 C 50 C for 15
minutes. The weight loss on origination is called volatile solids. Determination of fixed
and volatile solids does not distinguish precisely between inorganic and organic matter
because in includes losses due to decomposition or volatilization of some mineral salts.

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3.0

PROCEDURES
A. Total solid test
Weight of 2 evaporating disc are measured, one is for sample A and one for
sample B. then 10 ml water sample is putted into each evaporating disc and
weight of evaporating disc with water sample for each are measured. After that,
put the sample A and B into oven in temperature 103C for 45 minutes. After 45
minutes, the sample are taking out from the oven and cooling it into desiccator for
10 15 minutes. After it cooled, weight of each sample are measured again.
B. Total suspended solids (TSS)
Mass of 2 dry filters paper is measured by put it into evaporating disc. First of
filter as a sample A and the second filter paper as sample B. then one of the filter
paper are insert into the base on funnel and clamp it. 10 ml water sample are
pipette into the filter paper. After that, mass of filter paper with evaporating disc
are measured and dry it into the oven on 103C for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes,
evaporating disc are cooling in desicator for 10 15 minutes, then mass of filter
paper with evaporating disc are measured and total suspended solid for sample
can be measured. The same step applies to the sample B.
C. Total dissolved solids (TDS)
Balanced of water sample from filtering process to find suspended solids are
make as a sample for define total dissolved solids in water sample. Before that,
take 2 evaporating disc and measured the weight. One of evaporating disc is for
sample A and second is for sample B. put the balanced water into evaporating disc
and measured the weight of the evaporating disc wiyh sample. Then put the
evaporating disc into oven for 15 minute in temperature 103C or until water
sample in evaporating disc are dry. After 15 minute, take out the evaporating disc
and cooling it in desiccator for 10 15 minutes. Then weight of the evaporating
disc is measured. The same step applies to the sample B.

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D. Total volatile solids

The residue from sample A and B are ignited at 500C 50 C for 15 minutes in
muffle furnace. After that, cooling it into desiccator for 10 15 minutes. Then
weights of samples are measured. Whichever is less were repeated and then stored
in desiccator until needed.

Equipments and Materials

1. 6 sets of evaporating dishes: dishes of 100 ml capacity made of porcelain,
platinum or high silica glass.
2. Muffle furnace for operating at 500 0C + 50 0C
3. Desiccators
4. Vacuum pump
5. 10 ml pipette
6. Oven operating at the temperature 180 0C
7. Analytical balance

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4.0

RESULT AND DATA ANALYSIS

A. Total Solid (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

Where
A = weight of dried residue + dish (mg)
B = Weight of dish (mg)
B. Total Dissolved Solids (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

Where
A = weight of dried residue + dish (mg)
B = Weight of dish (mg)
C. Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) =

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

Where
A = weight of filter + dried residue (mg)
B = Weight of filter (mg)
D. Total Volatile Solids (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

E. Total fixed solids (mg/L)

(B C) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

Where
A = weight of residue + dish or filter before ignition (mg)
B = Weight of residue + dish or filter after ignition (mg)
C = weight of dish or filter (mg)

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A. Unfiltered Sample: Data for Total Solid Test

1
2
3
4
5

Volume of sample (mL)

Weight of evaporating dish (g)
Weight of evaporating dish + sample (g)
Weight of sample (g)
Weight of evaporating dish + sample after drying

6
7

process at 103-105 0C
Weight of solid (g)
Total solid (TS) (mg/L)

Sample A1
10
40.2344
49.8455
9.6111
40.2452

Sample B1
10
48.2763
58.1388
9.8625
48.2826

0.0108
1080

0.0063
630

Sample A2
10
0.2044

Sample B2
10
0.2065

0.2071

0.2107

0.0027

0.0042

0.2055

0.2088

0.0016
160
59.26

0.0019
190
45.24

Sample A3
10
37.2348
45.7241
8.4893
37.2374

Sample B3
10
51.0318
59.6596
8.6278
51.0355

B. Filtered Sample: Data for Total Suspended Solids (SS)

1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8

Volume of sample (mL)

Weight of filter paper (g)
Weight of evaporating dish + filter disc + solid after
drying at 180 0C (g)
Weight of solid (g)
Weight of filter paper + solid after drying at
500C+50C(g)
Weight of volatile solid (g)
Total suspended solid (SS) (mg/L)
Percentage of volatile suspended solid (VSS) (%)

C. Filtered Sample: Data for Total Dissolved Solid (TDS)

1
2
3
4
5

Volume of sample (ml)

Weight of evaporating dish(g)
Weight of evaporating dish + sample
Weight of sample(g)
Weight of evaporating dish+ sample after drying

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6
7

process at 180C
Weight of dissolved solid(g)
Weight of evaporating dish +solid after drying

0.0026
37.2357

0.0037
51.0321

8
9
10
11.
12

process at 500C-550C
Weight of volatile solid(g)
Total Dissolved Solid (TDS) (mg/L)
Percentage of dissolved solid in sample (%)
Total volatile solid (VS) (mg/L)
Percentage of volatile solid (%)

0.0017
170
0.0306
260
65.38

0.0034
340
0.0429
370
91.89

CALCULATION
1. To determine the total solid (TS):
For sample A1
Total Solid (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

(40.2452 40.2344) x 1000 x 1000

10

1080 mg/L

For sample B1

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Total Solid (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

(48.2826 48.2763) x 1000 x 1000

10

630 mg/L

Then the average of total solid (TS) = (1080 + 630) / 2 = 855 mg/L

2. To determine the Total Suspended Solid (TSS):

For sample A2
Total Suspended Solid (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

(0.2071- 0.2055) x 1000 x 1000

10

160 mg/L

Total Volatile Suspended Solid (TVSS), mg/L =

(A B) x 106
Volume of Sample (mL)

= (0.2071- 0.2044) x 106

10
= 270 mg/L
Percentage of Volatile Suspended solid (VSS) % = (TSS / TVSS) x 100 %
= (270 / 160) x 100 %
= 59.26 %
For sample B2
Total Suspended Solid (mg/L)

= (A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)
= (0.2107 - 0.2088) x 1000 x 1000
10
= 190 mg/L

Total Volatile Suspended Solid (TVSS), mg/L = (A B) x 106

Volume of Sample (mL)
= (0.2107- 0.2065) x 106
10

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= 420 mg/L
Percentage of Volatile Suspended solid (VSS) % = (TSS / TVSS) x 100 %
= (190 / 420) x 100 %
= 45.24 %
Then the average of total Suspended solid (TSS) = (160 + 190) /2 = 175 mg/L

3. To determine the Total Dissolve Solids (TDS):

For sample A3
Total Suspended Solid (mg/L)

= (A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)
= (37. 2374 - 37. 2357) x 1000 x 1000
10
= 170 mg/L

Total Volatile Dissolved Solid (TVDS), mg/L = (A B) x 106

Volume of Sample (mL)
= (37.2374- 37.2348) x 106
10
= 260 mg/L
Percentage of Volatile Dissolved solid (VDS) % = (TDS / TVDS) x 100 %
= (170 / 260) x 100 %
= 65.38 %
For sample B3
Total Dissolve Solid (mg/L)

(A B) x 1000, mg
Volume of sample, (ml)

(51.0355 - 51.0321) x 1000 x 1000

10

340 mg/L

Total Volatile Dissolved Solid (TVDS), mg/L = (A B) x 106

Volume of Sample (mL)
= (51.0355- 51.0318) x 106
10
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= 370 mg/L
Percentage of Volatile Dissolved solid (VDS) % = (TDS / TVDS) x 100 %
= (340 / 370) x 100 %
= 91.89 %
Then the average of Total Dissolve Solid (TDS) = (170 + 340)/2

= 255 mg/L

NOTES:
Supposed the values of TS gives the same values (in mg/L) of the summation of TSS and
TDS; which is can be stated as follow,
TS

TS

TSS

TDS

= TSS + TDS
= 175 + 255
= 430 mg/L

From experiment, the average value of total solid (TS) is 855 mg/L
% different = 855 -430 x 100%
855
= 49.7 %

5.0

DISCUSSION
From our experiment, the values of total solid (TS), total suspended solid (TSS)

and total dissolve solid (TDS) are not produced the TS = TSS + TDS (in mg/l) which the
average value of TS is 855 mg/l, the average value of TSS is 175 mg/l and the average
value of TDS is 255 mg/l. From the summation of TSS and TDS, give result 430 mg/l
which is still different with TS value (49.7% different value). These results are caused by
the following reasons:

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1. The precise weight tool (analytical balance) is disturbed by the outside factors
such as shock, wind and by itself. This can influence the mass reading of the
samples.
2. The analytical balance is not level where the bubbles are not in the circle.
3. The evaporating dishes are not let to cool at the room temperature after a drying
process either in the oven or in the furnace before weight its mass. The unstable
temperatures also affect the mass reading of the samples.
4. Caused by the balance of the dissolve solids which is still remain in the vacuum
flask.
5. The volume (mL) of samples did not transfer quantitatively to the filter.
6. The disc filter did not remove carefully from the base
From the reasons above, this experiment is need us to conduct this experiment
very wise especially when operate the analytical balance because this weight tool is too
sensitive. We are also need to notify all the things that can affect our data.
Factors Affecting Total Suspended Solids
1. High Flow Rates
The flow rate of the water body is a primary factor in TSS concentrations. Fast
running water can carry more particles and larger-sized sediment. Heavy rains can
pick up sand, silt, clay, and organic particles (such as leaves, soil, tire particles) from
the land and carry it to surface water. A change in flow rate can also affect TSS; if the
speed or direction of the water current increases, particulate matter from bottom
sediments may be resuspended
2. Soil Erosion
Soil erosion is caused by disturbance of a land surface. Soil erosion can be
caused by Building and Road Construction, Forest Fires, Logging, and Mining. The
eroded soil particles can be carried by stormwater to surface water. This will increase
the TSS of the water body.
3. Urban Runoff

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During storm events, soil particles and debris from streets and industrial,
commerical, and residential areas can be washed into streams. Because of the
large amount of pavement in urban areas, infiltration is decreased, velocity
increases, and natural settling areas have been removed. Sediment is carried
through storm drains directly to creeks and rivers.
Factors Affecting Total Dissolved Solids
1. Geology and Soil in the Watershed
Some rock and soil release ions very easily when water flows over them; for
example, if acidic water flows over rocks containing calcite (CaCO3), such as
calcareous shales, calcium (Ca2+) and carbonate (CO32-) ions will dissolve into the
water. Therefore, TDS will increase. However, some rocks, such as quartz-rich
granite, are very resistant to dissolution, and dont dissolve easily when water flows
over them. TDS of waters draining areas where the geology only consists of granite or
other resistant rocks will be low (unless other factors are involved).
2. Urban Runoff
During storm events, pollutants such as salts from streets, fertilizers from
lawns, and other material can be washed into streams and rivers. Because of the large
amount of pavement in urban areas, natural settling areas have been removed, and
dissolved solids are carried through storm drains to creeks and rivers.
3. Wastewater and Septic System Effluent
The effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) adds dissolved
solids to a stream. The wastewater from our houses contains both suspended and
dissolved solids that we put down our drain. Most of the suspended solids are
removed from the water at the WWTP before being discharged to the stream, but
WWTPs only remove some of the TDS. Important components of the TDS load from
WWTPs include phosphorus, nitrogen, and organic matter.
4. Decaying Plants and Animals
As plants and animals decay, dissolved organic particles are released and can
contribute to the TDS concentration.

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6.0

CONCLUSION
Solids refer to matter suspended or dissolved in water or waste water. Solids may

effect of effluent quality adversely in a number of ways. Water with high dissolve solid
generally is of inferior palatability and may induce a favorable physiological reaction in
the transient consumer. Solid analysis is important in the control of biological and
physical wastewater treatment process and for assessing compliance with regulatory
agency wastewater effluent limitations. So, generally the total solid is the term applied to
the material residue left in the dishes after evaporation of a sample at 180 0C. Total solids
(TS) include the total suspended solid (TSS) and total dissolve solid (TDS).
Determination of the volatile solids does not distinguish precisely between inorganic and
organic matter because it include losses due to decomposition or volatilization of some
mineral salts. It may include floating materials, depending on the applied technique.

7.0

REFERENCES

Laboratory instruction sheets.MA5: Chemical Oxygen Demand. University Tun

Hussein Onn.Malaysia.
Davis.L.M and Masten.S.J.(2004).Principles of Environmental Engineering and
Science.pg.373 and pg.515.Mc Graw Hill.

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Mackenzie, L.D. and Susan, J.M. (2004) Principles of Environmental Engineering and
Science. New York. McGraw Hill Inc.
Clair N. Sawyer, Perry L. McCarty, Gene F. Parkin (2003). Chemistry for Environmental
Engineering and Science, 5th edition, New York: McGraw-Hill.
Total

Solid

Determination.

Basin.

Retrieved

on

15th

March

2007

at

http://bcn.boulder.co.us/basin/data/FECAL/info/TSS.html
Shelton, T. (1991). Interpreting Drinking Water Quality AnalysisWhat Do the Numbers
Mean? New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers Cooperative Extension.

8.0

QUESTION
1. Distinguish between suspended solid and dissolved solid

Suspended Solid
Solids in water that can be trapped by a

Dissolve Solid
Solids in water that can pass through a

filter

filter (usually with a pore size of 0.45

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Can include a wide variety of material,

such as silt, decaying plant and animal

matter, industrial wastes, and sewage

micrometers)
Can include carbonate, bicarbonate,
chloride, sulfate, phosphate, nitrate,

The suspended solids determination is

calcium, magnesium, sodium, organic

one of the major parameters used to

ions, and other ions

evaluate the strength of wastewaters

and the efficiency of treatment units.

Dissolved solids may be measured in

either an electrical conductivity (rough)

Both the total and the volatile

or Evaporation (precise).

suspended solids test are used.

2. Suggest some possible causes of high levels of total suspended solids.

Wastewater and Septic System Effluent
The effluent from Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) can add suspended
solids to a stream. The wastewater from our houses contains food residue, human
waste, and other solid material that we put down our drains. Most of the solids are
removed from the water at the WWTP before being discharged to the stream, but
treatment cant eliminate everything.
Decaying Plants and Animals
As plants and animals decay, suspended organic particles are released and can
contribute to the TSS concentration.
Bottom-Feeding Fish
Bottom-feeding fish (such as carp) can stir up sediments as they remove
vegetation. These sediments can contribute to TSS.
3. The suspended solid for a wastewater sample was found to be 175mg\L. If the
following test result were obtained, what size sample was used in the
analysis?
Tare mass of glass fibre filter = 1.5413g
Residue on glass fibre filter after drying at 105C = 1.5538g
Total Suspended Solid (TSS), mg/L =
- 15 -

(A B) x 103_____

Volume of Sample (mL)

Where
A : Residue on glass fibre filter after drying at 105oC (g)
B : Tare mass of glass fibre filter (g)
175 mg/L

= (1. 5538- 1. 5413) x 106

Volume of sample (mL)

Volume of sample (mL) = (1.5538- 1. 5413) x 106

175 mg/L
= 71.4286 mL

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