Total dissolved solids can be estimated by which other test?

Total dissolved solids (TDS) in water represent the combined content of all inorganic and organic substances present in a molecular, ionized, or colloidal form. The specific conductance of water is directly related to the concentration of ions in the water, which includes the various dissolved solids. As the concentration of dissolved ions increases, the conductivity of the water also increases; thus, a high specific conductance indicates a high level of total dissolved solids.

The relationship between specific conductance and TDS is often used in practice to provide a quick and relatively simple estimation of TDS levels without requiring extensive sample preparation or multiple tests. Using a conductivity meter, laboratory analysts can quickly assess the ionic content of a water sample and correlate it with TDS concentrations, which can streamline the testing process.

In contrast, pH measurement determines the acidity or alkalinity of the water, but it does not provide information about the total dissolved solids. Colorimetric analysis is typically used for specific contaminants or parameters such as nutrients, not for measuring TDS directly. Filtration is a process that separates solids from liquids, but it does not measure the concentration of dissolved solids in the water.