Suspended solids describe solids that can and do not precipitate in the water sample. It is usually composed of suspended solids, soil fragments, mud or clay minerals, planktons and colloidal organic matter. Depending on human activities, the amount of suspended solids increases in surface waters. In the meantime, erosions in agricultural lands are among the factors that increase the amount of suspended solids.

If the amount of suspended solids exceeds certain limits, the water begins to become physically contaminated. Water becomes cloudy, condenses, poisoning in water increases, light transmittance and oxygen content of water decreases. As a result, most water-borne organisms are damaged.

The negative effects of suspended solids on living things vary depending on the type, amount and the size and type of living things.

Suspended solids directly affect the use of water for various purposes. But the actual drinking water should not contain suspended solids.

When determining the suspended solids, the water sample is filtered through a standard glass fiber filter paper and dried at 103-105. The weight of the dried filtrate residue gives the amount of suspended solids.

Determination of suspended solids, which are among the physical analyzes performed within the scope of food analyzes, are performed in laboratories accredited by domestic and foreign accreditation institutions. In this way, the results become more objective and reliable.

These laboratories comply with the accepted test methods and test criteria, follow scientific researches and apply the standards published by local and foreign organizations in their studies. The following are some of the standards used in the determination of suspended solids:

• SM 2540 D Total suspended solids dried at 103-105 degrees

This standard is intended to determine the amount of suspended solids in wastewater in drinking and utility waters.