Conductivity of Streams

The measure of the capacity of water to allow an electrical current is called conductivity. Conductivity in streams is affected by many factors such as the elements or compounds found in the water, the temperature of the water, the geology of the area, and the pollution in the water. Each of these factors affect the conductiity in some way.
Many inorganic dissolved solids increase the conductivity of water. Examples of these include: chloride, nitrate, sulfate, phosphate, sodium, magnesium, calcium, and iron. Oil, sugar, alchohol, and other organic compounds generally do not increase the conductivity of water much because they do not c...