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Article: Dissolved Solids
- Article from:
- Encyclopedia of Public Health
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CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2002 The Gale Group Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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DISSOLVED SOLIDS
Dissolved solids in surface water come from the natural dissolution of rocks and minerals or from discharges from municipal or industrial sources. Dissolved solids are mainly composed of cations such as calcium, magnesium, sodium, and potassium; and the anions bicarbonate, carbonate, sulfate, and chloride. Excessively large concentrations of dissolved minerals in drinking water may result in physiological effects, unpalatable mineral tastes, and increased costs due to corrosion or the necessity for additional treatment.
Dissolved solids occur naturally in all surface water at varying concentrations. This variation is due to factors such as the chemical properties of ...