Determination of Soluble Solids in Water: Water Quality Analysis and Test Methods

Why is Soluble Solids Determination Performed?

What is Water Soluble Solids (SS)?

Water-soluble solids (SS) refer to the settleable fraction of suspended solid particles in water. These solids are usually particles from industrial processes, agricultural activities or local wastewater. The analysis of settleable solids is an important parameter used to assess water quality and determine the physical load of water. This part of the water can affect the efficiency of water treatment and is a parameter with environmental impacts.

Water may contain various impurities in suspended, colloidal or dissolved form. Solids in water can be listed as follows:

• It can precipitate,
• Suspended
• Dissolved
• Volatile and fixed

All these substances are called Total Solids. Settlable solids are solids that can settle in an inert state. Settlable solids in surface and brackish waters and domestic and industrial wastes can be determined and reported on a volume (rnl/L) or weight (mg/L) basis. It is realized with Imhoff Cone.

Importance of Water Soluble Solids Determination

1. Water Quality Management: The amount of settleable solids in water indicates the level of physical contamination of the water. High concentrations of SS in water can adversely affect the color, turbidity and texture of the water. This analysis is critical for evaluating water treatment efficiency and monitoring processes in water treatment plants.
2. Industrial Applications: In order to maintain water quality in industrial processes, determination of the amount of settleable solids is necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment systems. This measurement is used to reduce the impact of industrial wastes on water and to monitor the performance of wastewater treatment plants.
3. Environmental Impacts: Water-soluble solids can adversely affect aquatic life when they enter aquatic ecosystems. Determination of settleable solids allows monitoring of water quality against such effects. These analyses play a critical role in the formulation and implementation of environmental management policies.

Methods for Determination of Soluble Solids in Water

Determination of settleable solids in water, various test methods are used to accurately and precisely determine the amount of these substances in water samples.

1. Gravimetric Method: This is one of the most widely used methods. The water sample is poured into a container of a certain volume and this container is placed in a centrifuge. During the centrifugation process, settleable solids are collected at the bottom of the water. This sediment is then dried, weighed and the amount of settleable solids is calculated. This method provides high precision and is used in various water quality monitoring programs.
2. Filtration Method: The water sample is passed through a specific filtration paper or membrane filter. The substances remaining on the filter are weighed and the amount of settleable solids is determined. This method provides a fast and practical application and can be used to quickly determine the physical load of water. It is especially preferred in industrial water and wastewater analysis.
3. Settling Method: In this method, the water sample is kept in a solution for a certain period of time, after which precipitation occurs. The amount of settleable solids is determined by filtering and weighing the precipitated substances. The settling method is used to determine the amount of suspended solids in a water sample. It can also be applied in water treatment plants to evaluate the efficiency of water treatment.
4. Turbidimetric Method: This method indirectly determines the amount of settleable solids by measuring the turbidity of the water sample. Light is shone on the water sample and the turbidity level is measured. Turbidity indicates the presence of suspended solids in the water and this can be used to estimate the amount of settleable solids. This method is suitable for instantaneous monitoring of water as it is quick and easy to implement.

Legal regulations such as the“Water Pollution Control Regulation” require such analyses to control wastewater quality and monitor water quality. In the European Union, water quality directives and water framework directives specify settleable solids analysis as part of water quality management.

Nanolab Laboratories Group continues to provide services within the scope of Determination of Soluble Solids in Water. We also provide services in Seawater Analysis.

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