MUNI UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

CHM 2202: ENVIRONMENTAL AND GREEN CHEMISTRY

LABORATORY PRACTICAL REPORT

NAME: BARIGYE GERALD

STUDENT NUMBER: 2201200325

REGISTRATION NUMBER: 2022/U/SMB/00325

AN EXPERIMENT TO DETERMINE TOTAL DISSOLVED SOLIDS (TDS) AND TOTAL

SUSPENDED SOLIDS (SS) IN A WATER SAMPLE.

ABSTRACT:

This laboratory report summarizes the findings of an investigation to determine the

amounts of total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) in water
samples. The samples were obtained from various sources and subjected to rigorous
testing processes. The TDS content was determined to be 0.188g/L, whereas the TSS
value was 0.01g/L. These data show the amount of solid pollutants in the water, which
is critical for determining water quality and potential environmental implications. The
methodology used in this work is reliable for estimating TDS and TSS, which adds to
our understanding of water quality management and environmental monitoring efforts.

INTRODUCTION:
 The term'solids' refers to any particle suspended, floated, settleable, colloidal,
or dissolved in water by filtration or evaporation. The total solids (TS) concentration is
the most essential physical property of wastewater. The TS refers to the residue left
after a wastewater sample has been evaporated and dried at a specific temperature. TS
is also used to measure total dissolved solids (TDS) and total suspended solids (TSS) in
water. The TS value is used to evaluate the reuse potential of wastewater and to select
the best type of treatment technique.

The term suspended solids (SS) refers to material that remains suspended in water and
acts as a colloid. The measurement of SS is a method of determining water quality. SS
are frequent in wastewater applications and should not be confused with settleable
solids, which are also abbreviated as SS. When SS are left untreated, they can clog
sewer pipes and damage other systems. Suspended particles, which are likely to be
organic and/or biological in nature, are an essential component of wastewater.

The suspended solids parameter is used to assess the quality of wastewater influent,
monitor various treatment processes, and determine effluent quality. The EPA has
established a maximum suspended-solids criterion of 30 mg/L for most treated
wastewater released. Mixed Liquor Suspended Solid testing determines the overall
concentration of mixed liquor suspended (non-soluble) solids.

Total Suspended Solid is the amount of solid retained on a filter with a certain pore size
after drying at a specific temperature (105 °C). The Whatman glass fiber filter, with a
nominal pore of 1.58 µm, is the most often used filter for TSS measurement.

Total Dissolved Solid refers to the solids that pass through the filter before being
evaporated and dried at a specified temperature. TDS is measured as a combination of
colloidal and dissolved solids. Colloidal particles typically range in size from 0.001 to 1
µm.
The Whatman glass fiber filter, with a typical pore size of approximately 1.58 m, is the
most often used filter for TSS determination. More TSS will be measured as the filter's
pore size is lowered. When comparing reported TSS values, it is crucial to take into
account the pore size of the filter paper utilized.

OBJECTIVES

To quantify the total dissolved solids (TDS) in a wastewater sample.

2. Determine the total suspended solids (TSS) in wastewater samples.

Materials
1. Water sample
2. Analytical balance
3. Filtration apparatus
4. Drying oven
5. Crucible
6. Glass fibre Filter paper

Procedures:

A. Determination of Total Suspended Solids (TSS):

B. 1. Filtered 100mL of water sample with pre-weighed filter paper using a filtration unit.

2. Transfer the filter paper with suspended solids to an oven for drying. After drying,
weigh the filter paper and the remaining suspended solids.
3. We determined the mass of suspended solids in the water sample by comparing
the weight before and after filtration.

B. Determination of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS):

1. At 105°C, evaporate the empty crucible to obtain a consistent mass, which was then
weighed.
2. The filtered water sample was evaporated in an oven dish until it reached a
consistent mass. The weight of the crucible and solids were recorded.
3. We determined the mass of dissolved solids in the water sample by comparing the
weight before and after evaporation.
RESULTS AND DATA:

Experiment 1: Results for total dissolved (TDS) and suspended solids (TSS)

TABLE OF RESULTS:

Volume of sample (mL) 100

Weight of filter disk (g) 0.0938
Weight of filter disk + solids (g) 0.0948
Weight of crucible (g) 49.1612
Weight of crucible + filter disk + solids (g) 49.1800

Sample calculation:

(A −B ) 6
Suspended solids = × 1000
C

Denotes: A = weight of filter disk + solids (g)

B = weight of disk alone (g)

C = volume of sample (mL)

Weight of filter disk + solids (g) = (49.1800 – 49.1612) g

= 0.0188 g

Weight of solids (g) = (0.0948– 0.0938) g

= 0.001 g
Concentration of total Suspended solids (SS) = ((0.0948– 0.0938) g /100) *1000

= 0.01 g/L of total suspended solids

(A −B ) 6
Dissolved solids = × 1000
C

Weight of total dissolved solids;

Difference in Weight of the crucible alone and crucible + solids (g) = (49.1800 –
49.1612) g

= 0.0188 g

Total dissolved solids = (0.0188/100) *1000

=0.188g/L

DISCUSSIONS:

The findings of the examination of total dissolved solids (TDS) and total
suspended solids (TSS) in water samples provide useful information about the quality
and composition of the water sources under consideration. The detected TDS content of
0.188g/L indicates the presence of dissolved solids in the water samples, including
salts, minerals, and organic substances.
Elevated TDS levels can have a negative impact on water quality, causing an
unpleasant taste and odor as well as significant health hazards. The detected
concentration is below permissible limits for potable water, indicating that the water
samples evaluated in this study have a low dissolved solids content.
 In contrast, the total suspended solids (TSS) content was measured at 0.01g/L.
TSS is the concentration of particulate matter suspended in the water column, which
includes sediments, organic matter, and other materials that stay suspended rather than
settle out. High levels of TSS can reduce water clarity, disturb aquatic habitats, and
impede different water treatment procedures.

The low TSS content detected in this study suggests that there is little particle
matter in the water samples, implying good water clarity and a low likelihood of
sedimentation problems. The findings of this study emphasize the need of monitoring
TDS and TSS levels in water sources in order to maintain regulatory compliance,
protect human health, and preserve environmental integrity. While the quantities
detected in this study are within acceptable limits, continuing monitoring and
management strategies are required to prevent further degradation of water quality.

Most suspended solids (SS) can be removed from water via filtration. Thus, the
suspended percentage of solids in a water sample can be estimated by filtering the
water, drying the residue in an oven at 105 °C for 1 hour, and calculating the mass of
the residue remaining on the filter. The suspended particles recovered weigh 0.001 g
per 100 mL of wastewater sample. So, the suspended solids (SS) content is 0.01 g/L.

The mass of TDS is much more than that of TSS, implying that the majority of
particulates in the water sample are dissolved rather than suspended. TDS: According
to WHO recommendations, the desired TDS content in drinking water is normally less
than 500 mg/L (0.5 g/L). TSS: The predicted TSS content in drinking water is typically
less than 50 mg/L (0.05 g/L). Both TDS and TSS concentrations were measured to be
within acceptable ranges for drinking water quality, indicating that the water samples
studied in this study met basic solid content quality guidelines. However, it is important
to remember that precise regulatory criteria can differ depending on regional and
environmental conditions, thus comparing them to local rules would provide a more
comprehensive assessment.

CONCLUSION:
According to the results of this experiment, the concentration of total suspended solids
(TSS) in a 100mL wastewater sample is 0.1g/L, and the mass in 100mL is
0.001g/100mL. Meanwhile, the total dissolved solids (TDS) concentration in 100 mL of
the same wastewater sample was 0.188g/L, and its mass was 0.0188g/100mL. All of
the data show that the raw wastewater sample contains a significant concentration of
dissolved solids (DS), including both organic and inorganic materials.

The suspended solids (SS) values obtained are compared to the results of the standard
requirements of the Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA), which limits the parameter
effluents standard for final discharge water to 50 mg/L of SS. However, because we
only measured the SS content of the raw wastewater sample in this experiment, the
results are reliable because the raw sample often has a high concentration of
suspended particles before treatment. The SS is the most important parameter in
monitoring the performance of the wastewater treatment plant and meeting the standard
regulation for final discharge of water in the industrial sector according to the
Environmental Quality Act 1974 (EQA) under the Department of Environment (DOE).

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