7/26/2019 Total Suspended Solids or Suspended Solids

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Total Suspended Solids or Suspended SolidsChemical symbol/abbreviations:

TSS, suspended solids

Form commonly found in stormwater:

Rock and soil fragments, dirt and debris from roads and vehicles

Related constituents:

Turbidity - a measure of the optical diffraction imparted by solids the water, no correlation of

between TSS and turbidity units

Solubility in water:Suspended solids are insoluble in water and will settle out of suspension with enough time.

Adverse human impacts:

High TSS levels are often associated with higher levels of disease-causing microorganisms such as

viruses, parasites and some bacteria, which can cause symptoms such as nausea, cramps,

diarrhea, and associated headaches.[i]Suspended solids can also make streams less aesthetically

enjoyable.

Adverse impacts on the environment:

Suspended solids reduce visibility and absorb light, which can increase stream temperatures and

reduce photosynthesis.[ii]mpeding a!uatic plant photosynthesis reduces the amount of food,

habitat and dissolved o"ygen available for other species.[iii] #ine particles may also clog and

abrade fish and insect gills and tissue and interfere with egg and larval development.[iv]$ollutants

such as pesticides and $%&s adhere to the surfaces of TSS and can be transported into a!uatic

environments in this fashion.[v]

!S! "#A water $uality criteria:

'one. ($) recommends water !uality criteria for many of the constituents included in TSS.[vi]

%ac&'round:

Total suspended solids *TSS+ describe particulates of varied origin, including soils, metals, organic

materials and debris that are suspended in a moving body of water. Turbulence keeps the

particulates suspended in water allowing the solids to be transported downstream.

Total suspended solids and turbidity are distinct measurements that provide similar assessment of

the water !uality. TSS is a measure of the mass of solids found in a volume of water that can be

filtered by a . um glass fiber filter. Turbidity is a measure of the optical diffraction imparted by

solids the water. &oth can be used to assess the impact of solids on a water body.[vii]

The largest amounts of solids are generated from construction activities, agriculture, unpaved

surfaces, and waste management. However, solids develop from less evident sources such ashighways, parking lots, and air emissions.[viii]ind and rain act as the predominant mechanism

transporting solids into waterways.

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