The expression total organic carbon is used to describe the detection of carbon-based organic impurities in a water system. There are many sources of organic impurities. Organic materials are compounds such as sugar, sucrose, petroleum, PVC glue, alcohol and derivatives based on plastics. Organic substances can be caused by bacteria formation in water. These substances can be found not only in wastewater, but also in drinking and utility water.

Total organic carbon measurements are performed in authorized laboratories. Laboratory methods (offline measurements) are generally used for high concentrations (for values ​​higher than 1 ppm). On-line measurements are faster than laboratory methods and are used for lower concentrations (for values ​​lower than 1000 ppb). In these measurements, special SOEs are generally used.

Total organic carbon measurements are used in enterprises to return to storage tanks from the point of use lines and to follow the return cycles in other areas of the water purification system.

Organic impurities are generally non-ionic. Therefore, they cannot be determined by standard conductivity measurements. High levels of total organic carbon disrupt water purification systems, reduce semiconductor efficiency, and damage electrical and steam generating devices. Total organic carbon measurements are therefore used to monitor the quality of water purification processes and equipment efficiency.

In short, organic substances are substances that contain organic compounds in their structure and are not naturally present, but are synthesized during metabolism in living organisms.

Total organic carbon determination is carried out in authorized laboratories within the scope of chemical food analysis. In these studies, standards and test methods published by domestic and foreign organizations are followed. The standard is based on:

• TS 12089 EN 13137 Properties of wastes - Determination of total organic carbon (TOC) in waste, sludge and sediments