Excelet

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 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.
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Sinex 2007

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) by Conductivity

TDS = k * conductivity Cond. 0 200 500 1000 1500 2000 mS/cm TDS 0 134 335 670 1005 1340 mg/L 2500 2000 TDS, mg/L 1500 1000 500 0 tracer 0 670 1000 670 1000 0 k= 0.67 (0.54 - 0.96) 67

What is the cause of the conductivity of the water?

y = 0.67x

k 0.50 0.51 0.67 0.72

composition NaCl KCl natural waters 442

670

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

Conductivity, mS/cm 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/

Comparison of Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Methods

add a constant amount (NaCl) 1200 0 200 1000 400 600 800 800 1000 600 mg/L 400 200 0 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 TDS by conductivity add (urea) 0 0 0 0 0 0 urea = TDSevap 0 200 400 600 800 1000 0 mg/L (used as a fertilizer) (0 - 300) y = x line 0 200 400 600 800 1000 0 200 400 600 800 1000 tracer 0 530 530 530 0 530 530 0 530 530

TDSevap =

530

mg/L

TDScond 530 530 mg/L change the slider to see how the two methods compare (with both yellow cells set at zero)

TDS by evaporation

%error 0.0

How do the methods compare?

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?

CaCl2 =

Sinex 2007

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