Erin Saul, Guihang Chen, Mariam Manukyan, Itay Ramirez 3/13/21
esaul@calstatela.edu (Lead Author) Group #2
Lab 5- Determination of solids content of water sample
Introduction/purpose:
For this lab experiment, our goal is to determine all the solid content of our water sample
which is surface water. However to figure out the solid content, we must find out the waterโs
total solids (TSS), total suspended solids (TSS), fixed suspended solids (FSS), and their volatile
suspended solids (VSS). The importance of this lab is to make sure that we help keep our waters
clean. Having high amounts of solid content in water can eventually โdecrease the passage of
light through water, thereby slowing photosynthesis by aquatic plantsโ (EPA). This process can
eventually then lower the temperatures of their environment killing many aquatic species. The
effect of total solids in water can affect the clarity of the water, potentially affecting aquatic life.
Results:
Task 1: Total solids determination
In this task, we will be measuring the weight of the dish. Then add 15 mL of surface water onto
the dish using a pipette. After adding 15 mL of surface water to the dish, put it into the oven and
heat it at 104 ยฑ1ยฐC. Once 10-15 minutes has passed, take the dish out of the oven and let it cool
down. After the dish has cooled down, measure the dish once again with the residue to find the
weight.
Weight 1-Dish (mg)
Weight 2- Dish+Residue (mg)
Volume of Sample (mL)
2589.8
2609.5
15
2.58976g = 2589.76=2589.8mg , 2.60948g =2609.48=2609.5mg,
ร1000๐๐
1๐ ร1000๐๐
1๐
Total Solid Formula: ๐๐ ๐๐
๐ฟ
( )
=๐2โ๐1
๐1
( )
*1000
๐๐ ๐๐
๐ฟ
( )
=2609.5โ2589.8
15๐๐ฟ
( )
*1000๐๐ฟ
1๐ฟ =1313.33๐๐
๐ฟ
Total Solid= 1313.33 mg/L
Task 2: Determination of total, volatile, and fixed suspended solids (TSS, VSS, and FSS)
In this task, we begin by weighing the dish along with a glass fiber filter disc. We then place the
filter in the appropriate area for filtration and wet it with 0.1mL of DI water. We filter a
measured volume of sample and apply the vacuum to remove all trace amounts of water after the
sample has passed through. The graduated cylinder must be cleaned after this, with suction still
on for complete drainage. Once this is done, we remove the filter from the support and transfer it
