Comparison of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Methods
TDS can be measured by two different methods: 1. Stream water is filtered to remove suspended (insoluble) material and then the sample is heated to evaporate the water. The residue obtained is massed to obtain the milligrams of dissolved solids per volume of water evaporated. The residue is dried usually at 103-105 o C. 2. TDS is determined from the conductivity of the water sample, since the ionic composition for most streams is similar. The conductivity reading is converted to milligrams of total dissolved solids/liter. TDS = 0.67 * conductivity Now let's investigate the TDS determination by conductivity and then compare the two methods and address some possible errors. Click on the tabs to navigate Sinex 2007 Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) by Conductivity What is the cause of the conductivity of the water? TDS = k * conductivity k = 0.67 67 (0.54 - 0.96) Cond. TDS 0 0 tracer k composition 200 134 0 670 0.50 NaCl 500 335 1000 670 0.51 KCl 1000 670 1000 0 0.67 natural waters 1500 1005 0.72 442 2000 1340 mS/cm mg/L 9 Cond. = 1000 The values of "k" for NaCl, KCl, and 442 were determined from data available: http://www.reefkeeping.com/issues/2004-04/rhf/feature/index.php Sinex 2007 Hem, J.D. (1985) Study and Interpretation of the Chemical Characteristics of Natural Waters , USGS Water-Supply Paper 2254 online at: http://pubs.usgs.gov/wsp/wsp2254/ 670 y = 0.67x 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 TDS, mg/L Conductivity, mS/cm Comparison of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Methods TDS evap = 530 mg/L add a constant amount urea = 0 mg/L (used as a fertilizer) (0 - 300) (NaCl) (urea) TDS evap y = x line 0 0 0 0 0 tracer 200 0 200 200 200 0 530 TDS cond 400 0 400 400 400 530 530 530 mg/L change the slider 600 0 600 600 600 530 0 530 to see how the two 800 0 800 800 800 methods compare 1000 0 1000 1000 1000 0 530 (with both yellow mg/L 530 530 %error cells set at zero) 0.0 How do the methods compare? add CaCl 2 = 0 mg/L (commonly used for highway deicing) (0 - 300) How does the addition of urea and/or calcium chloride influence the results of the two methods? Sinex 2007 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 T D S
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TDS by conductivity Address the following questions: 1. Explain how and why the addition of calcium chloride influences the results of both methods including any error. 2. Explain how and why the addition of urea influences the results of both methods including any error. 3. Suppose a water sample was collected and not filtered. Both methods were then used to measure the TDS. Explain the results from both methods including any error. 4. For the TDS = k (conductivity) relationship the value of "k" must remain constant for this method to work. Why? What could cause "k" to vary? 5. Domino Sugar is a large manufacturer in Baltimore Harbor. If a barge loaded with finished processed sugar was to sink and the sugar dissolved in the water of the harbor, how would the TDS results by both methods be influenced? 6. A barge loaded with vinegar (0.8 M acetic acid) develops a leak off shore of Ocean City. The seawater, which is 0.5 M NaCl, has a pH of 8.3 that is well buffered. How would the acetic acid influence the results of both methods including any error. Sinex 2007