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Introduction Suspended solids refer to small solid particles which remain in suspension in water as a colloid or due to the motion of the water. It is used as one indicator of water quality. Suspended Solids measurement is a quantitative analysis of a solution. In a lab this is usually accomplished by drying a known volume of the solution and then weighing the remaining particles in mg/l or ppm. Since the properties of suspended solids in different applications may vary (ie. size, shape, density, organic structure, etc.), the resulting effect on the light transmission (turbidity) may vary. A stream of municipal wastewater, for example, carrying a suspended solid concentration of 15 mg/l will likely have a different turbidity than a stream of effluent from a coal plant also carrying 15 mg/l of suspended solids. The make-up of the suspended solids differs and will therefore scatter and absorb light differently. Removal of suspended solids is generally achieved through the use of sedimentation and/or water filters.By eliminating most of the suspended solids in a water supply, the significant water is usually rendered close to drinking quality. This is followed by disinfection to ensure that any free floating pathogens, or pathogens associated with the small remaining amount of suspended solids, are rendered ineffective. Suspended solids are important as pollutants and pathogens are carried on the surface of particles.
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Objectives The objectives of the experiments are: 1)
To measure the concentration of suspended solid.
2)
To identify the value of suspended solid in water at different point taken.
3)
To measure the different concentration at a different point of places.
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Apparatus
Sample water
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Sample cells
Methodology 1.
Six sample of water is taken from several sources but in different point
taken. 2.
Then pour the sample into six sample cell.
3.
By using spectrophotometer select a 630 suspended solids test.
4.
Insert the blank into the cell holder with the fill line facing the user.
5.
Press ZERO on the spectrophotometer to make sure the reading is 0 mg/L
TSS. 6.
Next swirl the prepared sample to remove any gas bubbles and uniformly
suspend any residue. 7.
Lastly, insert the prepared sample into the cell holder with the fill line
facing user and record the reading.
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Safety and Health 1.
Make sure all group members follow the consumption guidelines at the
laboratory, such as wearing the laboratory coat and also wearing the shoes. 2.
Make sure all the apparatus are in a good condition.
3.
Please make sure that all the apparatus free from dirt.
4.
Make sure all the used apparatus are in a good condition.
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5.
Put all the apparatus at their origin place.
6.
Make sure all the sample cell is clean before do a test.
Results Sample
1
2
3
4
5
6
127
605
65
191
142
120
Reading (mg/l)
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Discussion In this experiment, 5 samples are taken to be tested. From the result, we can see that the sample 2 has the highest turbidity and the lowest goes to sample 3. Turbidity
can be
measured by the light scattering by suspended particles in the water column, provides an indirect indication of light penetration. High turbidity can be caused by soil erosion, urban runoff, algae growth and sometimes from carp and catfish stirring up bottom muck. High turbidity reeks havoc for water life because it blocks out sunlight, lowering the amount of photosynthesis, raising water temperatures, and lowering amount of dissolved oxygen. 8.0
Conclusion Based on the experiment that we have conducted, the six numbers of samples gives the different reading by using the Spectrophotometer. Although all the samples were taken from the same lake, but the different bottle were pick from the different point. Result gives the different reading despite it is taken from the same lake might be caused by the various types of existing contaminated material in that lake. In fact, from rough observation, the highest level of turbid sample might have highest suspended solid in it. Silts also can be a reason why some of the sample shows highest suspended solid reading. Highest value that gives by the sample might be taken from the bank of the lake. This is because normally at the edge of the lake the existing of the silts or contaminated materials is possible higher. Whereas the sample that taken from the middle of the lake might less of suspended solid or silts. Then the sample will gives the lower reading of suspended solid result.
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References http://water.usgs.gov/admin/memo/SW/sw98.05.html. http://water.usgs.gov/osw/techniques/sediment.html www.wikipedia.com
10.0 Appendix Suspended solids refer to small solid particles which remain in suspension in water as a colloid or due to the motion of the water. It is used as one indicator of water quality. It is sometimes abbreviated SS, but is not to be confused with settleable solids, also abbreviated SS, which contribute to the blocking of sewer pipes. Suspended solids are important as pollutants and pathogens are carried on the surface of particles. The smaller the particle size, the greater the surface area per unit mass of particle, and so the greater the pollutant load that is likely to be carried. Removal of suspended solids is generally achieved through the use of sedimentation and/or water filters (usually at a municipal level).By eliminating most of the suspended solids in a water supply, the significant water is usually rendered close to drinking quality. This is followed by disinfection to ensure that any free floating pathogens, or pathogens associated with the small remaining amount of suspended solids, are rendered ineffective. The use of a very simple cloth filter, consisting of a folded cotton sari, drastically reduces the load of cholera carried in the water, and is suitable for use by the very poor; in this case, an appropriate technology method of disinfection might be added, such as solar water disinfection. A major exception to this generalization is arsenic contamination of groundwater, as arsenic is a very serious pollutant which is soluble and thus not removed when suspended solids are removed. This makes it very difficult to remove, and finding an alternative water source is often the most realistic option.
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