mikroSiemenscentimeter

microsiemens per centimeter, often abbreviated as µS/cm or mS/cm, is a unit of electrical conductivity. It measures how well a substance, typically water, conducts electricity. Electrical conductivity is directly related to the concentration of dissolved ions in the water. The higher the concentration of dissolved salts, minerals, or other ionic compounds, the greater the conductivity.

The siemens (S) is the SI derived unit of electrical conductance. One siemens is equal to the conductance between two points of a conductor when an electric potential difference of one volt applied between these points produces an electric current of one ampere. The microsiemens (µS) is one millionth of a siemens. The centimeter (cm) is a unit of length. Therefore, microsiemens per centimeter quantifies conductance over a specific distance.

This unit is widely used in various fields, including environmental monitoring, agriculture, and industrial processes. For example, in environmental science, µS/cm is used to assess water quality, with higher values often indicating pollution or high salinity. In agriculture, it helps determine the suitability of water for irrigation. Industrial applications include monitoring water purity in manufacturing and power generation. Pure water has a very low conductivity, typically around 0.055 µS/cm at 25°C. Tap water and natural waters have significantly higher conductivity values depending on their dissolved ion content.