Physical and chemical characteristics of total suspended solids in Singapore waters

Abstract

This report documented the study on the physical and chemical characteristics of total suspended solids (TSS) in the Nanyang Lake water situated at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU). Samples were extracted from the lake once per month during September 2009 to January 2010 with the exception of November. Laboratory tests were conducted with the collected samples to determine a total of eight physical and chemical parameters. Water characteristic trends with respect to TSS concentration were achieved from the laboratory results to determine the traits of TSS. The results then facilitated the preliminary depth profiling and the subsequent concentration profiling analysis. The concentration profiling analysis was facilitated through the dilution of water samples in a water column. It was determined that parameters such as pH and temperature did not fluctuate significantly while others such as turbidity, colour logically increased with higher TSS concentration. On the other hand, light penetration depth and dissolved oxygen increased with lower TSS intensity. TOC generally increased with higher TSS when the same sample was used to increase the TSS concentration in the dilution test. However, a fixed trend cannot be drawn for TOC as it depends on the carbon content present in different water samples. Physical parameters such as light penetration, turbidity and colour were determined to be good indicators of TSS. Throughout the process, lessons learnt in carrying out the study were noted and presented under the section on recommendations. References can then be used to fine tune and enhance future study. The overall conclusion was established and discussed in the later chapters of the report. Valuable understanding of the TSS traits will help in future development in tackling the water clarity problem in water bodies.