Total Suspended Solids (TSS)

Status and Trends

Suspended solids include suspended particulate matter (sand, silt and particles of fine organic matter) suspended in the water column in a stream or lake. The suspended solids in humid areas range from 0 mg/L to 100 mg/L. Suspended solids can increase when stream flow increases. The faster flowing water erodes the banks and turbulent flow lifts additional solids into the water column so they don't have a chance to settle to the bottom.

Suspended solids are an important part of water quality. In excess it can smother the stream bottom life, by settling out in stream pools and can fill lakes and reservoirs. High concentrations of suspended solids can make the water unusable in many ways. Organic contaminants (e.g., pesticides) and bacteria can attach to the suspended solids making them more readily transportable. This can affect downstream water uses by closing bathing areas and delivering toxic contaminants to biota.

Ambient monitoring sites often are not sampled during storm flow events, as access to sampling locations may be difficult or dangerous. Thus, TSS median concentrations are expected to be lower in the non-tidal streams and rivers data set. Total dissolved solids concentrations ranged from 2.0 mg/L at Cabin John Branch to 15.5 mg/L on Antietam Creek at Poffenberger Road. Stations with the lowest median concentration (30% of all stations), were located in suburban regions of the state and in western portions of Maryland. Half of all stations had median concentrations above 7.8 mg/L. Most were located in the upper Potomac basin.

Decreasing trends occurred at five stations (9%) and TSS increased on Conococheague Creek at MD route 68. TSS correlated with TP at 59% of all stations (Figure 2). This is not surprising due to the particle reactive nature of phosphorus.

Total Suspended Solids (TSS) data for sampled locations are summarized in these plots.

• Land use/site map

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This page was updated on 12/5/2005