Florida Wastewater Practice Test

The ash content in lab procedures can be equated to which of the following?

1. Organic solids

2. Inorganic solids

3. Biodegradable solids

4. Suspended solids

The correct answer is: Inorganic solids

The ash content in laboratory procedures is indicative of inorganic solids. Ash content represents the residue that remains after the combustion of a sample, primarily composed of minerals and inorganic materials that do not burn. This residue is useful for identifying the mineral content of the sample, which can include elements such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and others found in the soil or material being tested. In contrast, organic solids are those components that contain carbon and can be decomposed by microorganisms. Biodegradable solids also refer to organic materials that are capable of being broken down by biological processes. Suspended solids include both organic and inorganic particles that are not dissolved in water but remain suspended, which does not specifically focus on the inorganic nature that the ash content derives from. Thus, linking ash content specifically with inorganic solids provides clarity in understanding lab results concerning soil or waste water composition.