The term solid refers to the matter either filtrable or non-filtrable that remains as residue upon evaporation and subsequent drying at a defined temperature. In effluent, the total solids, total dissolved solids and total suspended solids are mainly composed of carbonates bicarbonates, chlorides, sulphates, nitrates, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, organic matter, silts and other particles.

1. Estimation of total solids, total suspended solids
and total dissolved solids in effluents
Presented by: Anju Bala
Admn. no. - L-2020-A-4-D
Submitted to: Dr. GS Dheri

2. Introduction
• The term solid refers to the matter either filtrable or non-filtrable that
remains as residue upon evaporation and subsequent drying at a defined
temperature.
• In effluent, the total solids, total dissolved solids and total suspended
solids are mainly composed of carbonates bicarbonates, chlorides,
sulphates, nitrates, Ca, Mg, Na, K, Mn, organic matter, silts and other
particles.

3. Total solids
• The material left in a sample vessel after evaporation and subsequent
oven drying at a defined temperature.
• Total solids includes both total suspended solids and total dissolved
solids, which are physically separated via filtration.
Principle:
Evaporate a well mixed sample in a pre-weighed dish and dry it to constant
weight in a 103-105 °C oven. The increase compared to pre-weighed
represents total solids.

4. Apparatus and Equipment
a. Oven
b. Monopan balance
c. Evaporating dish
d. Pipettes
e. Measuring cylinder
a
b
c
d e

5. Sample handling and preservation
• Preservation of sample is not practical. Because biological activity will
continue after a sample has been taken.
• To reduce this change in sample taken for solids determination, keep all
samples at 4°C.
• Do not allow sample to freeze.
• Analysis should be begin as soon as possible.

6. Procedure
• Take a known volume of a well-mixed sample in dish.
• Evaporate the sample to dryness at 103-105°C for 24 hrs.
• Cool in a desiccator, weigh and record the reading.

7. Calculation
The total solids are expressed as:
Total solids, mg/L = (A - B) x 1000 / sample volume (ml)
• A- Final weight of dried residue+ dish
• B- Weight of dish

8. Total dissolved solids (TDS)
• The filterable residue is the material that passes through a standard
glass filter disk and remains after evaporation and drying at 180°C.
• It is used to describe the inorganic salts and small amounts of
organic matter present in solution in water.
• The principal constituents are usually calcium, magnesium, sodium,
and potassium cations and carbonate, hydrogencarbonate, chloride,
sulphate and nitrate anions.

9. Principle
Filter a well mixed sample through a standard glass-fiber filter.
Then, transfer to pre-weighed dish, evaporate it to constant
weight in an oven at 180± 2 °C. The increase compared to empty
pre-weighed dish weight represents TDS.

10. Apparatus and equipment
a. Evaporating dish
(porcelain)
b. Drying oven
c. Desiccator
d. Analytical balance
e. Filter paper
f. Flask
a
e
d
c
b
f

11. Procedure
• Filter the well-mixed sample under vacuum through membrane filter or
Gooch Crucible.
• Transfer 100 ml or more, depending upon the concentration of dissolved
solids, in a weighed evaporating dish.
• Evaporate to dryness on steam bath.
• Dry the evaporated sample for at least 1 hour in an oven at 180±2°C.
• Cool it in a desiccator and weigh.
• Repeat the drying until constant weight is obtained or weight loss is less
than 0.5mg.

12. Calculation
Total dissolved solids (mg/L) at 180°C = (A –B) x 1000 / C
Where:
• A - weight of dried residue + dish
• B - weight of dish
• C - ml of filtrate used

13. Total suspended solids
These are the portion of solids that usually remains on the filter paper. It
consist of silt, clay, fine particles of organic and inorganic matter.
Principle
Filter a well-mixed sample through a pre weighed standard glass fibre filter
and then dry the filter, and the residue retained on it to a constant weight in
a 103- 105 °C oven. The increase in filter weight represents TSS.

14. Apparatus and Equipment
a. Drying oven
b. Glass fibre filter disk
c. Desiccator
d. Analytical balance
e. Flask
a
d e
c
b

15. Procedure
• Transfer a measured volume of sample into a glass fibre filter.
• Wash filter with three successive volumes of ≥10 ml reagent grade water.
• Allow complete drainage between washings, and continue suction until all
traces of water are removed.
• Remove the filter and dry it for ≥1h in 103-105 °C oven.
• Cool it in a desiccator to an ambient temperature, and weigh.

16. Calculations
Total suspended solids, mg/L= (A-B) X 1000 / Sample volume (ml)
• A- final weight of filter+ dried residue (mg)
• B- weight of filter
TSS can also be estimated by:
TSS= TS-TDS

17. References
• Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater,
APHA, AWWA and WEF, 23rd edition, 2017.
• Poddar P K and Sahu O (2017) Quality and management of
wastewater in sugar industry. Appl water Sci, 7:461-68.
• Microsoft Word - 2edvol3.RTF (who.int)