In wastewater treatment, what are volatile solids?

Volatile solids refer to organic solids in wastewater that can be vaporized or decomposed at high temperatures, typically measured by heating a sample to a high temperature and measuring the loss of weight. This concept is crucial in wastewater treatment because volatile solids primarily consist of organic matter, which is considered biodegradable. The presence of volatile solids indicates the amount of organic material that can be broken down by microorganisms during the treatment process.

Understanding the nature of volatile solids helps in assessing the efficiency of treatment systems, as higher levels may suggest greater potential for microbial activity and subsequent reduction of organic pollutants. In contrast, non-degradable solids, inorganic solids that settle, or solids unaffected by heating do not possess the same properties as volatile solids, making the distinction important for wastewater analysis and treatment processes.