When discussing water quality, one of the most important parameters often considered is Total Suspended Solids (TSS).
This term refers to solid particles suspended in water that are larger than 1–2 microns. These particles may consist of silt, clay, organic matter, fine sand, microorganisms, and other inorganic materials carried by the water flow.
The sources of TSS are diverse, ranging from soil erosion to wastewater discharges from industrial and domestic activities.
A fundamental question that often arises is: what are the impacts of industrial waste on aquatic organisms, particularly when it contributes to increased TSS levels?
How is TSS Measured?
To determine the concentration of TSS in a body of water, samples are typically filtered using special filter papers or membranes. The retained particles are then dried and weighed to obtain the weight of solids per volume of water.
This measurement serves as an important indicator of water quality management, as high TSS concentrations are often directly associated with pollution levels and the potential for ecosystem damage.
Impacts of Industrial Waste on Aquatic Life
1. Reduced Light Penetration
High TSS levels increase water turbidity. The more turbid the water, the less sunlight penetrates into the aquatic environment. Light is essential for photosynthesis in aquatic plants, including microalgae and macroalgae.
When photosynthesis is disrupted, oxygen production in the water decreases. Low oxygen levels negatively affect the survival of fish and other organisms that depend on healthy aquatic conditions.
2. Stress on Aquatic Organisms
Besides blocking light, suspended particles can clog fish gills. Gills are vital respiratory organs; if their function is impaired, fish may become stressed, diseased, or even die. Sedimentation from TSS may also cover the seabed, disrupting benthic habitats that support organisms such as shrimp, crabs, and aquatic worms.
3. Decline in Ecosystem Quality
Water turbidity caused by TSS is not merely an aesthetic problem. It also reduces visibility, affecting the behavior of aquatic species.
Predators may struggle to locate prey, while species that rely on visual signals may be disturbed. Accumulated issues of this kind destabilize aquatic ecosystems.
Impact of TSS on Specific Ecosystems
Mangrove Ecosystems
Mangroves rely on sunlight for photosynthesis. If surrounding waters are turbid due to high TSS, photosynthesis slows, leading to stunted growth.
Moreover, TSS particulates may settle in mangrove substrates, covering roots and hindering nutrient absorption.
While certain TSS particles may carry nutrients like nitrogen or phosphorus, excessive concentrations transform these benefits into pollution threats.
For example, in 2023, a program successfully reduced TSS pollutant loads by 164 kg, and by mid-2024, an additional 117 kg reduction was recorded. This innovation was recommended by a 2022 Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study as a measurable step toward better environmental management.
Mangroves naturally function as sediment filters. However, if mangrove forests are degraded due to excessive TSS, sediment flow into the sea accelerates, worsening coastal conditions.
Thus, one clear answer to the question of industrial waste impact is the disruption of mangrove ecosystems, which are vital coastal defenses and habitats for countless marine organisms.
Coral Reef Ecosystems
Coral reefs are highly sensitive to TSS. Sediment particles can cover coral surfaces, blocking respiration and forcing corals to produce excess mucus as a defense mechanism. Energy that should support growth is instead consumed merely for survival.
TSS also reduces light penetration. Coral symbiosis with zooxanthellae—microscopic algae essential for photosynthesis—relies heavily on light.
When photosynthesis is disrupted, zooxanthellae populations decline, leading to coral bleaching and, eventually, death if conditions persist.
Furthermore, pollutants such as ammonia transported by TSS may be toxic to fish and other marine life. This illustrates once again the serious impacts of industrial waste on aquatic organisms: coral reef damage and the loss of crucial marine biodiversity habitats.
The Importance of Monitoring TSS
Given its far-reaching impacts, TSS monitoring is a strategic measure in aquatic environmental management. TSS data can assist governments, industries, and communities in determining appropriate pollution prevention and control actions.
By maintaining TSS levels within water quality standards, aquatic ecosystems can be preserved while ensuring the availability of clean water for multiple uses.
TSS Reduction Innovation by PT Paiton Energy
As part of efforts to address this issue, PT Paiton Energy has pioneered a program to reduce pollutant loads through the effectiveness of Moving Bed Biofilm Reactor (MBBR) technology in removing TSS at SWTP PLTU Paiton Units 3, 7, & 8.
This initiative, developed by a team consisting of M. Yusuf, Totok Widianto, Najmi Umaroh, Firmandhana Khrisna, Dimas Sistian, and Donny Effendi, is noteworthy as no similar program has entered the “Best Practice” category for the power plant sector by the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) over the past four years (2020–2023). Its validity has also been independently verified under official reference number 2364/UNI/PSLH/PT.01.10/2024.
The results are concrete: in 2023, the program reduced TSS pollutant loads by 164 kg, with an additional 117 kg reduction achieved by mid-2024. The initiative has even been recommended by LCA studies as a practical step toward improved environmental management.
Transforming Water: From Turbid to Clear with MBBR Technology
The following photos support the discussion of Total Suspended Solids (TSS). They illustrate the visible changes in water quality during each treatment stage using MBBR technology:
Picture 1: Water before treatment, still turbid with many suspended particles.
Figure 2: Water during treatment in the MBBR system, with MBBR media floating on the surface as biological carriers.
Figure 3: Water after treatment, appearing clear and free from suspended solids.
High TSS concentrations—particularly from wastewater—pose significant risks to aquatic ecosystems, from oxygen depletion and mangrove degradation to coral bleaching.
The question of industrial waste impacts on aquatic life is clear: it threatens species survival and destroys habitats that support marine biodiversity.
Therefore, control innovations such as those introduced by PT Paiton Energy are vital steps toward maintaining ecosystem balance and ensuring sustainable water resources for future generations.
