Introduction
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) is the portion of fine particulate matter that remains in suspension in water. It measures a similar property to turbidity, but provides an actual weight of particulate matter for a given volume of sample (usually mg/l). They are solids in water that can be trapped by a filter and are particles that are larger than 2 microns, found in the water column. High concentrations of suspended solids can cause many problems for stream health and aquatic life.
Objective(s) of the Experiment
The test is carried out in order to determine the amount of suspended solids in water.
Equipments and Materials Needed
- Filter Paper
- Evaporating dish
- Measuring Cylinder
- Weighing balance
- Oven
- Desiccator
Procedures
- Wash the filter paper using reagent-grade water
- Transfer to a weighing dish (or crucible) and dry in an oven at 103 – 105oC
- Cool the filter paper in the desicator and weigh. Weight of filter Paper = B
- Assemble the filtration apparatus
- Wet the filter paper with distilled water
- Stir the sample to obtain a more uniform particle size
- Pipette 50ml into filter while stirring
- Filter and wash three times
- Remove filter and transfer to weighing dish (or crucible)
- Dry at least for one hour at 103 – 105oC
- Cool in the desiccator and weigh. Weight of filter + dried residue = A
- Repeat cycle of drying, cooling and weighing until the weight change is less than 4%
Results and Calculations
- Total Suspended Solid TSS (mg/L)
- Where:
- A = Weight of filter + dried residue (in mg).
- B = Weight of filter (in mg).
References
- Hydrology Project Training Module File. ‘How to Measure Dissolved, Suspended and Total Solids’
- The University of Western Australia; School of Civil, Environmental and Mining Engineering. ‘Determination of Solids’. http://www.ceme.uwa.edu.au/research/laboratories/water-quality/protocols/solids. Assessed March 9, 2018.
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