EXPERIMENT: TOTAL SOLID

1.0 INTRODUCTION

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

Solids may affect water effluent quality adversely in number of ways. Waters with
high dissolved solids generally are of inferior palatability and may induce a
favorable 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. Generally, total solids term is applied to the material residue left in the
dishes after evaporation of a sample at 103oC to 105oC.

2.0 SCOPE OF WORK

i- Switched on balance (at least 30 min before the test)

ii- Weighed the initial dry weight of filter paper and recorded.

iii- Poured 20mL of water sample (from FPTV Lake) on the filter paper and leaved it
until the filtration finished.
 iv- Took the filter paper, placed on the evaporating dish

v- Placed the evaporating dis inside the drying oven at 105oC for at least 1 hour or
until completely dry.
vi- Placed the evaporating dish to cool at room temperature in desiccator.
vii- Finally, weighed the final dry weight of filter paper and record.

3.0 ANALYSIS RESULT

 A) Data collection and analysis

I) What is the TSS sample?

DESCRIPTION WEIGHT(g)
Weight of the clean filter paper W1 23.5124
(g)
Weight of the filter paper and W2 23.6858
the residue (g)
Weight of residue (g) W 0.1734
Volume of sample (mL) V 20

TSS = W2-W1 / VOLUME

= 0.1734 / 20
= 0.00867 g/mL

II) In your opinion, is it possible to discharge the sample used in this test to be
discharged to the river? Give your reason.

No. Because there are many factors that can contribute to the total solids
in water. For example, soil erosion is a large contributor of total solids. So, even
the sample we used in this test is 20mL, it might pollute a river.

B) Discussion

i) Why are the impacts of total suspended solid on health of the river?

It is because the suspended solid can inhibit photosynthesis by blocking

sunlight. Halted or reduced photosynthesis means a decrease in plant survival and
decrease dissolved oxygen output. The higher the total suspended solid, the higher
the turbidity level, and then the less light that can reach the lower levels of water.
This reduces plant productivity at the bottom of the river.

4.0 CONCLUSION

For the conclusion that can be made, by using the water sample from
FPTV Lake, the result for the total suspended solids is 0.00867 g/mL.

5.0 APPENDICES

i- Turbidity, Total Suspended Solids and Water Clarity, Fundamentals of

Environmental Measurements, http://www.fondriest.com/environmental-
 measurements/parameters/water-quality/turbidity-total-suspended-solids-water-
clarity
ii- Total Solids, http://www2.vernier.com/sample_labs/WQV-04-COMP-
total_solids.pdf
6.0 OBSERVED PHOTO

(The value of weight of clean filter paper that we took during Total Suspended Solid Test)

(The value of weight of clean filter paper + residue that we took during Total Suspended Solid
Test)

(Place the filter on the base and clamp on funnel and apply vacuum)