INTRODUCTION

Water is a very good solvent for solid materials and a medium where impurities easily
carry away by its flow. These compositions will affect the water quality. One of the important
parameter in the wastewater quality test is to identify these solid containment and their
properties before it become a hazardous water bodies.
Solid in water bodies can come in organic solid such as animals and plants matter and
inorganic solids such as mineral compounds and salts. These solids can be divided into
several categories such as Total solids, Suspended solids, Dissolved solids, Volatile solids,
Settle able solids and fixed solid. All of the stated solids are very important in solid analysis
for example in activated sludge process of wastewater treatment systems.
In this experiment, a subcategory of solid is observed which Volatile suspended solids
are. Volatile suspended solids are defined as solid composition from Total Suspended solids
that is loss due to 550C ignition. Volatile solid usually comes from organic compound such
as oils. The temperature of 550C is the point where the organic compound is in a complete
oxidation process. This test is a measure to indicate the organic matter composition.

OBJECTIVES
1

i.

To determine the volatile suspended solids concentration of water samples.

ii.

To identify the location of samples taken based on volatile suspended solid in water
sample.

PROBLEM STATEMENT
Each group need to bring two samples of wastewater. By using appropriate experiment and
results obtained, determine the Volatile Suspended Solid content for each of the sample.

APPARATUS
i.

Two Glass fibre filter disk of 47mm diameter (Filter paper)

ii.

Heating/ drying oven

iii.

Aluminium weighing dish

iv.

Tweezers

v.

Desiccator

vi.

Analytical Balance

vii.

Sample of wastewater (two different location)

viii.

Suction flask

ix.

Suction pump

x.

Microanalysis filter holder (funnel, clamp and base)

xi.

Distilled water

RESULT

TABULATION DATA
Location of Wastewater

INTAN COLLEGE

DEWAN BESAR
(UITM MAIN
DISCHARGE)

Volume (ml)

60

200

Location of Wastewater

Total Suspended solid (mg/l)

Volatile Solid (mg/l)

INTAN COLLEGE

886.7

8.3

DEWAN BESAR
(UITM MAIN
DISCHARGE)

878.3

0.5

SAMPLE CALCULATION
Formula
mg total solid/L = (A B) X 10002
sample volume, mL
Mass of filter paper + aluminium dish : Wastewater 1(Intan) = 1.1461 g
Wastewater 2(Dewan Besar) = 1.1362 g
Mass of filter paper + Wastewater

: Wastewater 1(Intan) = 0.1385 g

Wastewater 2(Dewan Besar) = 0.1174g

Mass of filter paper + Wastewater

(Volatile process)

: Wastewater 1(Intan) = 0.1380 g

Wastewater 2(Dewan Besar) = 0.1173g

Mass of aluminium dish : 1.0608 g

Wastewater 1 (Intan)
Volume used: 60 ml
Total Suspended Solid (TSS) = (1.0608 + 0.1385) - 1.1461
= (0.0532 x 10002) / 60
= 886.7 mg/l
Volatile Solid

= (0.1385 0.1380)
= (5 x 10-4 x 10002) / 60
= 8.3 mg/l

Wastewater 2 (Dewan Besar)

Volume used: 200 ml
Total Suspended Solid (TSS) = (1.0608 + 0.1174) - 1.1461
= (0.0321 x10002) / 200
= 160.5 mg/l
Volatile Solid

= (0.1174 0.1173)
= (1x 10-4 x 10002) / 200

= 0.5 mg/l
DISCUSSION

1. Based from the result, it is stated that the value of total suspended solid for Intan
College wastewater is 886.7 mg/l and the volatile solid is 8.3 mg/l. As for the
wastewater that came from UiTM main discharge in front of Dewan Besar, the total
suspended solid is 160.5 mg/l and the volatile solid that been collected is 0.5 mg/l.
2. The value above received from weighing process of the filter paper in which used to
separate the suspended solid particle from the wastewater. The suspended solid
collected by the filter paper is placed in the oven at 105 C to remove the moisture
leaving only the suspended solid.
3. The value of total volatile solid is slightly lower than total suspended solid. This is
because the sample going through ignition process at 550C leaving only activated
residue to be identify for properties. Most of the suspended solid is loss due to high
temperature condition.
4. The difference of solid for wastewater from Dewan Besar building is 0.0005 mg/l
between suspended solid and volatile solid. Whereas, wastewater from Intan College
is 0.05 mg/l.
5. In the experiment, precaution while dealing with wastewater is crucial to prevent any
contact with the sample. Thus, handling the sample with latex glove is important in
the procedure. Besides that, it is also important to wear thick glove when getting the
sample out of the oven and use clamp to hold onto the filter paper to avoid any
accident in the laboratory.

CONCLUSION
In volatile test, the fixed solid remained at temperature of 550 0C due to the loss of volatile
solid. Based on the analysis of the result, the objective to determine the volatile suspended
solid concentration in water samples at different location is achieved. The amount of the
volatile solid of wastewater at Intan College and UiTM main discharge (Padang A) are
8.3mg/l, and 0.5 mg/l. From the result obtained, we can conclude that the volatile solid of
wastewater at Intan College is higher than the main discharge. Hence, the water in the Intan
College is more contaminated and dangerous to be exposing to the people, animals, and
plants due to its high amount of grease, oil and chemical substances.
Since both of the samples are having the volatile solid, we recommend that both type of
wastewater is unsuitable for daily use. The water also should be treated before discharge into
the river to avoid water from being contaminated. Chemical hazard, oil, and grease could
harm the natural environment of the water which later affects the aquatic life in the river or
lake.

REFERENCES
1. http://www.ebsbiowizard.com
2. https://www.norweco.com
3. http://nptel.ac.in/courses/105104102/solids%202.htm
4. http://water.me.vccs.edu/courses/env211/lesson20.htm
5. R.Parker. (2008). Waste-Water Engineering. New Delhi: CBS Publisher &
Distributors.

APPENDIX

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APPENDIX CONTENT:
1. PROCEDURE SKETCH