Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Total Suspended Solids (TSS), also known as non-filterable residue, are those solids
(minerals and organic material) that remain trapped on a 1.2 μm filter. The dry-weight of
particles trapped by a filter, typically of a specified pore size. Thus in chemistry the non-
filterable solids are the retained material called the residue.
TSS of a water sample is determined by pouring a carefully measured volume of water
(typically one liter; but less if the particulate density is high, or as much as two or three
liters for very clean water) through a pre-weighed filter of a specified pore size, then
weighing the filter again after drying to remove all water. The gain in weight is a dry weight
measure of the particulates present in the water sample expressed in units derived or
calculated from the volume of water filtered (typically milligrams per liter or mg/l).
Sources:
Suspended solids can enter groundwater through runoff, from industrial, urban or
agricultural areas.
Effects:
The suspended solid determination is extremely valuable in the analysis of polluted waters.
The main physical problem that may be caused by suspended solids in natural water
bodies is that they cut down light transmission through the water and so lower the rate of
photosynthesis in plants.
Elevated TSS can reduce water clarity, degrade habitats, clog fish gills, decrease
photosynthetic activity and cause an increase in water temperatures.
Also in less turbulent parts of the river, some of the solids may sediment out, smothering
the life on the river bed.