1.

INTRODUCTION
Total suspended solids (TSS) is a water quality parameter used for example to assess

the quality of wastewater after treatment in a wastewater treatment plant. It is listed as a

conventional pollutant in the U.S. Clean Water Act. This parameter was at one time called
non-filterable residue (NFR), a term that refers to the identical measurement: the dry-weight
of particles trapped by a filter, typically of a specified pore size. However, the term "nonfilterable" suffered from an odd (for science) condition of usage: in some circles
(Oceanography, for example) "filterable" meant the material retained on a filter, so nonfilterable would be the water and particulates that passed through the filter. In other
disciplines (Chemistry and Microbiology for examples) and dictionary definitions,
"filterable" means just the opposite: the material passed by a filter, usually called "Total
dissolved solids" or TDS. Thus in chemistry the non-filterable solids are the retained material
called the residue.

2.0

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

3.0

THEORY
Solids refer to matter suspended or dissolved in water or waste

water that can be physically isolated either through filtration or through

evaporation. Solids may affect water or effluent quality adversely in a
number of ways. Waters with high dissolved solids generally is of inferior
palatability and may induce a favourable physiological reaction in the
transient consumer. Solids analyses are important in the control of
biological and physical wastewater treatment process and for assessing
compliance with regulatory agency wastewater effluent limitations.
Total solids is the term applied to the residue left in the dishes after
evaporation of a sample at 103C to 105C. Total solids measurement can
be useful as an indicator of the effects of runoff from construction,
agricultural practices, logging activities, sewage treatment plant
discharge and other sources. Higher total solids affect the water clarity
and limiting the passing light through water; thus, slowing down
photosynthesis process. Total solids includes total suspended solids, and
total dissolved solids.
Total suspended solids (TSS) is the portion of total solids retained by
filter, and total dissolved solids (TDS) is the portion of solids that passes
through a filter of 2.0 m (or smaller) nominal pore size under specified
conditions. Fixed solids is refer to the residue of total, suspended, or
dissolved solids after heating to dryness for a specified time at a specified
temperature (500C 50 C for 15 minutes). The weight loss on ignition is
called volatile solids. Determination of fixed and volatile solids does not
distinguish precisely between inorganic and organic matter because it
includes losses due to decomposition or volatilization of some mineral
salts. Settleable solids is the term applied to the material settling out of
suspension within a defined period. It may include floating material,
depending on the technique.

Settleable

Imhoff cone

Samples

Total Solids

103C - 105C)

solids

Filter paper

Microwave (at

Fibre glass filter

(TS)

Dissolved Solid

( 2.0m)

Microwave (at
103C - 105C)

Microwave (at
180C 2C)

Suspended Solids

Dissolved Solids

(SS)

(DS)

Muffle furnace (at

Muffle furnace (at

500C 50C)

500C 50C)

Volatile Suspended

Fixed Suspended

Volatile Dissolved

Fixed Dissolved

Solids (VSS)

Solids (FSS)

Solids (VDS)

Solids (FDS)

Total Fixed Solids

Total Volatile Solids

TVS = VSS + VDS

TFS = FSS + FDS

Total Solids (TS)

DIAGRAM 1

4.0

MATERIAL AND EQUIPMENT

1.

Evaporating dishes: Dishes of 100mL capacity made of porcelain,

platinum or high-silica glass. (Figure 4.1)

Figure 4.1
2.

Muffle furnace for operating at 500C 50C. (Figure 4.2)

Figure 4.2

3.

Desicator. (Figure 4.3)

Figure 4.3
4.

Drying oven. (Figure 4.4)

Figure 4.4
5.

Analytical balance. (Figure 4.5)

Figure 4.5
5

6.

Graduated cylinder. (Figure 4.6)

Figure 4.6
7.

Wid-bore pipet. (Figure 4.7)

Figure 4.7
8.

Low-form beaker. (Figure 4.8)

Figure 4.8
6

5.0

PROCEDURE

A.

Total Solid Determination (TS)

B.

1.
2.

Weighted the evaporating dish and recorded the reading

Measured 5ml of water sample and poured into the evaporating dish. The weight

3.
4.

of evaporating dish + sample are recorded.

Calculated the weight of sample and recorded in the table provide.
Then, dried the sample in the drying oven at temperature of 103 to105C for at

5.

least 1hour.
After 1 hour, the evaporating dish from the drying oven was take out and put the

6.
7.
8.
9.

evaporating dish in a desiccator to balance temperature.

Weighted the evaporating dish and calculated the weight of solid.
Then, dried the solid in a furnace at temperature 50050C for 15 minutes.
After the drying process, the evaporating dish must put in the desiccator again.
Weighted the evaporating dish and calculated the weight of volatile solid.

Total Suspended Solid (TSS)

1. Placed a filter paper in the desiccator for a few minutes to let the moisture to be
absorbed by the silica gel.
2. Weighted the filter paper and recorded the reading.
3. Placed the filter disc onto the base and clamped it on the funnel.
7

4. Measured 5ml of water sample and poured the water sample and let it flowed through
the filter disc. Switched on the vacuum pump and continue suctioned to remove all
traces of water.
5. Dried the filter paper in the drying oven at temperature of 103 to105C for 1 hour.
6. After 1 hour, the filter paper from the drying oven was take out and cooled the filter
paper in the desiccator to balance temperature.
7. Weighted the filter paper and calculated the weight of solid.
8. Then, placed the filter paper in the furnace at temperature of 50050C for 15
minutes.
9. After the drying process, put the filter paper in the desiccator
10. Weight the filter paper and calculate the weight of volatile solid.

6.0

RESULTS AND DATA ANALYSIS

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

6
7

process at 103C - 105C

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

process at 500C - 50C

8
Weight of volatile solid (g)
9
Total Solid (TS) (mg/L)
10 Percentage of solid in sample (%)
11 Total volatile solid (VS) (mg/L)
12 Percentage of volatile solid (%)

Sample A
5
21.29
25.31
4.02
21.32
0.03
21.33
0.04
6
20
8
60

Filtered Sample
Data For Total Suspended Solid

Sample A
5

Volume of Sample (ml)

9

2
3

Weight of filter paper (g)

Weight of filter paper + solid after drying at 103C -

4
5
6

105C or at 180C
Weight of suspended solid (g)
Total Suspended Solid (TSS) (mg/L)
Weight of filter + solid after drying at 500C 50C

7
8
9

(g)
Weight of volatile suspended solid (g)
Total Volatile Suspended Solid (VSS) (mg/L)
Percentage of Volatile Suspended Solid (VSS) %

0.8
0.04
0.04
8
0.04
0.04
8
60

Data For Total Dissolve Solid (TDS)

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
8

at 180C (g)
Weight of Solid (g)
Total Dissolve Solid (TDS) (mg/L)
Weight of evaporating dish + solid after drying at

500C 50C (g)

9
Weight of volatile dissolved solid (g)
10 Total volatile dissolved Solid (VDS) (mg/L)
11 Percentage of volatile dissolved Solid %

10

Sample A
5
22.56
27.02
4.46
22.64
0.08
16
22.60
0.04
8
50

7.0

DISCUSSION
1. What is total solid (TS), total suspended solid (TSS) and total dissolved solid
(TDS)?
Total solids is the term applied to the residue left in the dishes after evaporation of

sample at 103C to 105C. Total solids measurement can be useful as an indicator of the
effects of runoff from construction, agricultural practices, logging activities, sewage
treatment plant discharge and other sources. Higher total solids affect the water clarity and
limiting the passing light through water; thus, slowing down photosynthesis process. Total
solids includes total suspended solids, and total dissolved solids.
Total suspended solids (TSS) is the portion of total solids retained by filter, and total
dissolved solids (TDS) is the portion of solids that passes through a filter of 2.0 m (or
smaller) nominal pore size under specified conditions. Fixed solids is refer to the residue of
total, suspended, or dissolved solids after heating to dryness for a specified time at a specified
temperature (500C 50 C for 15 minutes). The weight loss on ignition is called volatile
solids. Determination of fix and volatile solids does not distinguish precisely between
inorganic and organic matter because includes losses due to decomposition or volatilization
of some mineral salts. Settleable solids is the term applied to the material settling out of
suspension within a defined period. It may include floating material, depending on the
technique,
2. What are the possible causes of high levels of total solids in water?
Suspended solids in a body of water are often due to natural causes. These natural
solids include organic materials such as algae, and inorganic materials such as silt and
sediment. Some algae, such as phytoplankton, are regular occurrences, especially in the
ocean. Inorganic materials can easily become suspended due to runoff, erosion and
resuspension from seasonal water flow. However, when suspended solids exceed expected
concentrations, they can negatively impact a body of water. Excess over background amounts
are often attributed to human influence, whether directly or indirectly. Pollution may
contribute to either organic or inorganic suspended solids, depending on the source. Algae,
sediment and pollution will affect water quality in different ways depending on the quantity
present.
3. What are the effects of high concentration of total suspended solid and total
dissolved solid in water?

11

Suspended solids affect life in other ways. They can clog fish gills, reduce growth
rates, decrease resistance to disease, and prevent egg and larval development. Particles that
settle out can smother fish eggs and those of aquatic insects, as well as suffocate newlyhatched larvae. The material that settles also fills the spaces between rocks and makes these
microhabitats unsuitable for various aquatic insects, such as mayfly nymphs, stonefly nymphs
and caddisfly larva.
4. The total solids for a water sample was found to be 555 mg/L. If the following
test results were obtained, determine the size sample used in the analysis.
The total solids for a water sample was found to be 555 mg/L. If the following test
results were obtained, determine the size sample used in the analysis.
Tare mass of evaporating dish = 35.4323 g
Weight of residue left after drying at 1050C and evaporating dish = 35.4739 g
35.4739 g - 35.4323 g = 0.0416 g
555 mg/L + 0.0416 g = 555.0416
5. Discuss the caution that you consider and errors occur (if any) during the
experiment.
a. The temperature that been use to burn the sample not exactly same as the
temperature that need to burn the sample as given in the procedure.
b. After the burning at temperature 500+50,we put the evaporating dish inside
plastic basket and the plastic basket was melted by the heat and it added the
weight of evaporating dish.
8.0

CONCLUSION
From this experiment, the objective to provide and strength knowledge, skill,

understanding in solid determination and enable to relate theories had been achieved. The
sample water that been used had its own solid suspended.

12

9.0

REFERENCES
1.
http://www.waterspecialists.biz/html
2.
http://www.phippsbird.com/
3.
http://home.alltel.net/mikeric/PretreatMaint/
4.
https://www.scribd.com/doc/131655380/Suspended Solid-Report
5.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flocculation
6.
Suspended Solid lab sheet

13

10.0

APPENDIX

14