Low-cost conductivity cells for water measurement purposes

Multipoint and multiparametric indicators, measured in biosphere, are important tools in sustainable research and assessment topics. Electrical conductivity of water is one of these indicators because trace ions dissolved in it. Commercial sensors involved in such measurements are often of high performances (i.e. specifications with ranges, accuracies and, sensitivities beyond conductivity values measured in, lakes or rivers). As a consequence, they have high costs. This paper describes the design and the construction of three different conductivity cells for measuring water conductivity mainly in lakes and rivers. Besides, the designs are focused in low-cost implementation. The paper also compares the cells and, measures water conductivity of the lake inside the university campus.