1 science for a changing world Comparability of Suspended-Sediment Concentration and Total Suspended Solids Data By John R. Gray, G. Douglas Glysson, Lisa M. Turcios, and Gregory E. Schwarz Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4191 U.S. Department of the Interior WRIR 00-4191 U.S. Geological Survey August 2000 2 3 COMPARABILITY OF SUSPENDED-SEDIMENT CONCENTRATION AND TOTAL SUSPENDED SOLIDS DATA By John R. Gray, G. Douglas Glysson, Lisa M. Turcios, and Gregory E. Schwarz U. S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY Water-Resources Investigations Report 00-4191 Reston, Virginia 2000 4 U.S. Department of the Interior Bruce Babbitt, Secretary U.S. Department of the Interior Charles G. Groat, Director The use of firm, trade, or brand names in this report is for identification purposes only and does not constitute endorsement by the U.S. Geological Survey For additional information write to: Copies of this report can be purchased from: U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Geological Survey Chief, Office of Surface Water Information Services Mail Stop 415 Box 25286, Mail Stop 417 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Denver Federal Center Reston, VA 20192 Denver, CO 80225-0286 5 CONTENTS Abstract ........................................................................................................................................................................................ 1 Introduction .................................................................................................................................................................................. 1 Field Techniques and Laboratory Methods .................................................................................................................................. 2 Field Techniques ...................................................................................................................................................................2 Laboratory Methods ............................................................................................................................................................. 3 Suspended-Sediment Concentration Analytical Method ................................................................................................ 3 Total Suspended Solids Analytical Method ....................................................................................................................3 Differences Between the Suspended-Sediment Concentration and Total Suspended Solids Analytical Methods ............................................................................................................. 4 Description of Data Used in the Evaluation ............................................................................................................................... 5 Arizona ................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Hawaii.................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Illinois .................................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Kentucky.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Maryland.............................................................................................................................................................................. 5 Virginia ................................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Washington .......................................................................................................................................................................... 6 Wisconsin ............................................................................................................................................................................ 6 Quality-Control Data ........................................................................................................................................................... 6 Comparability of Suspended-Sediment Concentration and Total Suspended Solids Data.......................................................... 6 Natural-Water Data .............................................................................................................................................................. 6 Quality-Control Data .......................................................................................................................................................... 10 Conclusions ................................................................................................................................................................................ 11 References Cited......................................................................................................................................................................... 12 List of Tables: 1. State in which natural-water samples were collected, collecting organization, collection methods, and devices for obtaining subsamples for suspended-sediment concentration and total suspended solids analyses .........................................................................................................................................................................2 2. Statistical characteristics of paired suspended-sediment concentrations (SSC) and total suspended solids (TSS) data for each of eight States, and for the combined data from all States........................................................... 7 List of Figures: 1. Bar graph showing number of paired suspended-sediment concentration values and total suspended solids values of the 3,235 data pairs for selected suspended-sediment concentration ranges ................................................ 6 2. Scatter plot showing relation between untransformed values of suspended-sediment concentration and total suspended solids for 3,235 data points ................................................................................................................... 7 3. Scatter plot showing relation between the base-10 logarithms of suspended-sediment concentration and total suspended solids for 3,235 data pairs in the scattergrams plotted .......................................................................... 8 4. Scatter plots showing relation between the base-10 logarithms of suspended-sediment concentration and total suspended solids for the data pairs from each State used in the analysis ............................................................... 9 5. Scatter plot showing relation between percent sand-size material in the sample analyzed for suspended-sediment concentration and the remainder of suspended-sediment concentration minus total suspended solids ............................................................................................................................................................ 10 6. Scatter plot showing relation between total suspended solids and the concentration of suspended sediments finer than 0.062 mm in paired suspended-sediment concentration samples ........................................................ 10 7. Graph showing instantaneous water discharges and sediment discharges computed from total suspended solids and suspended-sediment concentration data for a stream in the northeastern United States, 1998................................................................................................................................................................ 11 8. Boxplot showing variability in results of suspended-sediment concentrations and total suspended solids analytical methods in quality-control water samples analyzed by a cooperator laboratory........................................ 11 vi6 CONVERSION FACTORS Multiply SI units By To obtain inch-pound units Length millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in) Volume liter (L) 33.82 ounce fluid (fl. oz) liter (L) 2.113 pint (pt) liter (L) 1.057 quart (qt) liter (L) 0.2642 gallon (gal) Flow cubic meter per second (m3/s) 35.31 cubic foot per second (ft3/s) Mass gram (g) 0.03527 ounce, avoirdupois (oz) gram (g) 0.002205 ounce, avoirdupois (oz) megagram (Mg) 1.102 ton, short Temperature degree Celsius (ºC) F = 1.8 x°C + 32 degree Fahrenheit (ºF) Concentration (Mass/Volume) milligrams per liter (mg/L) 1.0 parts per million (ppm1) milligrams per liter (mg/L) 0.0000334 ounces per quart (oz/qt) 1This conversion is true for concentration values <8,000 mg/L. The equivalent value in mg/L for concentrations ≥8,000 ppm can be calculated from table 1, American Society of Testing Material (2000), or by using the following equation: C = C /(1-C (6.22 x 10-7) mg/L ppm ppm where: Cmg/L= sediment concentration, mg/L, and Cppm= sediment concentration, ppm 1 Comparability of Suspended-Sediment Concentration and Total Suspended Solids Data By John R. Gray, G. Douglas Glysson, Lisa M. Turcios, and Gregory E. Schwarz ABSTRACT Reliable, quality-assured sediment and ancillary data are the underpinnings for assessment and remediation of Two laboratory analytical methods — suspended-sedi- sediment-impaired waters. The U.S. Geological