What would be a characteristic of total suspended particles?

Total suspended particles (TSP) refer to a mixture of solid and liquid particles that are suspended in air or water. The characteristic that defines them most accurately is that they include solids that remain suspended in a medium. These suspended solids might originate from various sources, such as dust, smoke, and other particulate matter. Their ability to remain suspended is key to their classification and significance in environmental health contexts, as they can have implications for air and water quality.

While there can be gaseous substances involved in air quality measurements, total suspended particles specifically refer to the physical particles. Liquid droplets can also contribute to aerosol formations, but TSP is more fundamentally concerned with solids. Therefore, the most fitting characteristic is that total suspended particles include solids that remain suspended. This understanding is essential for monitoring air and water quality and for assessing the potential impacts of these particles on human health and the environment.