Total Dissolved Soilids

The universal solvent is also another word for water because it can dissolve many things in it. Many materials are dissolved and carried away when water interacts with the atmosphere, biosphere, rocks and soil in a watershed. All suspended solids that may or may not pass through a filter are total dissolved solids.
A constant level of minerals in the water is necessary for aquatic life. Changes in the amounts of dissolved solids can be harmful because the density of total solids determines the flow of water into and out of an organism's cells. Many of these dissolved solids contain chemicals, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur that are the building blocks of molecules necessary for life.

Testing Total Dissolved Solids

A 100mL sample of water is collected. The water sample is poured into the beaker and allowed to evaporate. Then the beaker has to cool to room temperature before weighing. The beaker is then weighed again. The first weight is subtracted from the second weight and multiplied by 10,000 to determine the mg/liter of total dissolved solids in the sample.

Total Dissolved Solid Levels and What They Mean

Concentrations of total dissolved solids that are too high or too low may limit growth and lead to the death of many aquatic organisms. High concentrations of dissolved solids may also reduce water clarity, contribute to a decrease in photosynthesis, combine with toxic compounds and heavy metals, and lead to an increase in water temperature. High concentrations in drinking water may give the water an unpleasant taste and could result in a laxative effect.

Results

The results of the amount of total dissolved solids found in the North Channel of the Chicago River are listed below:

Site	Amount of Total Dissolved Solids
1	152.2 mg
2	27.7 mg

Influences

Some dissolved solids come from organic sources such as leaves, silt, plankton, industrial waste and sewage. Some dissolved solids come from inorganic materials, which may contain calcium bicarbonate, nitrogen, iron phosphorus, sulfur, and other minerals.