Dissolved solids in wastewater, often referred to as Total Dissolved Solids (TDS), represent the inorganic salts and organic matter that are dissolved in the water.
Specifically, based on research, TDS in wastewater refers to dissolved organic matters and inorganic salts, including common ions (Zhang et al., 2017). These dissolved substances are not suspended solids and pass through a filter.
Key Components of Dissolved Solids in Wastewater
The inorganic salts are a major part of dissolved solids. According to Zhang et al. (2017), these include several important ions commonly found in water sources and resulting from various human activities.
Common Dissolved Inorganic Salts
The reference highlights the presence of key inorganic salts in dissolved solids:
- Cations:
- Sodium (Na⁺)
- Potassium (K⁺)
- Calcium (Ca²⁺)
- Magnesium (Mg²⁺)
- Anions:
- Chloride (Cl⁻)
- Bicarbonates (HCO₃⁻)
- Sulfates (SO₄²⁻)
These ions originate from sources like tap water, industrial discharge, agricultural runoff, and decomposition of organic materials.
Dissolved Organic Matter
Beyond inorganic salts, dissolved organic matter is also a significant component of TDS in wastewater (Zhang et al., 2017). This includes substances like:
- Sugars
- Proteins
- Fats
- Organic acids
These originate from domestic waste, food processing, industrial processes, and natural decomposition.
Significance of Dissolved Solids
Understanding and managing dissolved solids in wastewater is crucial for several reasons:
- Environmental Impact: High TDS levels can affect aquatic life in receiving waters by altering salinity, osmotic balance, and introducing potentially toxic substances.
- Treatment Processes: TDS can interfere with or increase the cost of wastewater treatment processes, such as reverse osmosis or ion exchange, which are designed to remove dissolved substances.
- Water Reuse: For water reuse applications, especially for irrigation or industrial purposes, controlling TDS is essential to prevent scaling, corrosion, and soil salinization.
Monitoring and treatment strategies for wastewater often target TDS reduction to meet regulatory standards and enable sustainable water management practices.
(Reference: Zhang et al., 2017)
