What factors influence the amount of total dissolved solids in water?
1. Some dissolved solids come from organic sources such as leaves, silt, plankton, and industrial waste and sewage. Other sources come from runoff from urban areas, road salts used on street during the winter, and fertilizers and pesticides used on lawns and farms. 2. Some dissolved solids come from inorganic materials such as rocks and air that may contain calcium bicarbonate, nitrogen, iron phosphorous, sulfur, and other minerals. Many of these materials form salts, which are compounds that contain both a metal and a nonmetal. Salts usually dissolve in water forming ions. Ions are particles that have a positive or negative charge. 3. Since rain water contributes to most of the water in a watershed, it contributes to the amount of TDS in a watershed. Rain water is almost pure with less than 10 mg/L of TDS. What is the optimal amount of total dissolved solids in water for most aquatic plants and animals? 1. A constant level of minerals in the water is necessary for aquatic life. Change
