Salinity Units

The units used to measure salinity fluctuate based on application and reporting procedure.
Parts per thousand or grams/kilogram (1 ppt = 1 g/kg) used to be the standard 22. In some
freshwater sources, this is reported in mg/L 4, 37. Now salinity values are reported based on the
unitless Practical Salinity Scale (sometimes denoted in practical salinity units as psu) 22. As of
2010, an Absolute Salinity calculation was developed, but is not used for database archives 24.
Absolute salinity is reported in g/kg and is denoted by the symbol SA. TEOS-10 offers pre-
programmed equations to calculate absolute salinity.

The different methods and units of salinity measurements all rely on a reference point of 35
for seawater.

The units psu, ppt and SA g/kg are nearly equivalent (and often interchanged) 6. All three
methods are based on an approximate salinity value of 35 in seawater 24. However, there are
some distinctions that must be made.

Practical salinity units are dimensionless and are based on conductivity studies of potassium
chloride solutions and seawater 13. These studies were done with 32.4356 g/kg KCL solution
and “Copenhagen water” which has a chlorinity of 19.374 ppt 25. This north Atlantic sea
water was given a set practical salinity of 35 psu 25. The practical salinity scale is considered
accurate for values between 2 and 42 psu 26. These are the most common units used, and
practical salinity remains the most common salinity value stored for data archives 24.

The historical definition of salinity was based on chloride concentration (which could be
determined by titration) 28. This calculation used the following equation:

Determining total
salinity based on chloride concentrations in only accurate in water sources with a known
chloride-salinity ratio, such as seawater.
This method is only acceptable for seawater, as it is limited in estuaries, brackish and
freshwater sources 28. While salinity and chlorinity are proportional in seawater, equations
based on this are not accurate in freshwater or when chlorinity ratios change 26.

Absolute salinity in g/kg is best for studies that require very precise data. It is consistent with
other SI units as a true mass fraction, and it ensures that all thermodynamic relationships
(density, sound, speed and heat capacity) remain consistent 24. These units also help
determine specific ions’ contributions to salinity values 39. Absolute salinity also offers a
greater range and more accurate values than other salinity methods when ionic composition is
known 24.

What are Total Dissolved Solids?

The EPA, USPHS and AWWA recommend an upper limit of 500 mg/L TDS, though this is
exceeded in some regions with little ill effect 41.

Total dissolved solids (TDS) combine the sum of all ion particles that are smaller than 2
microns (0.0002 cm) 11. This includes all of the disassociated electrolytes that make up
salinity concentrations, as well as other compounds such as dissolved organic matter. In
“clean” water, TDS is approximately equal to salinity 12. In wastewater or polluted areas,
TDS can include organic solutes (such as hydrocarbons and urea) in addition to the salt ions
12
.
 Total dissolved solids concentrations outside
of a normal range can cause a cell to swell or shrink. This can negatively impact aquatic life
that cannot compensate for the change in water retention.

While TDS measurements are derived from conductivity, some states, regions and agencies
often set a TDS maximum instead of a conductivity limit for water quality 37. At most,
freshwater can have 2000 mg/L of total dissolved solids, and most sources should have much
less than that 13. Depending on the ionic properties, excessive total dissolved solids can
produce toxic effects on fish and fish eggs. Salmonids exposed to higher than average levels
of CaSO4 at various life stages experienced reduced survival and reproduction rates 37. When
total dissolved solids ranged above 2200-3600 mg/L, salmonids, perch and pike all showed
reduced hatching and egg survival rates 37.

Dissolved solids are also important to aquatic life by keeping cell density balanced 11. In
distilled or deionized water, water will flow into an organism’s cells, causing them to swell 11.
In water with a very high TDS concentration, cells will shrink. These changes can affect an
organism’s ability to move in a water column, causing it to float or sink beyond its normal
range 11.

TDS can also affect water taste, and often indicates a high alkalinity or hardness 12.

TDS Units

Total dissolved solids are reported in mg/L. TDS can be measured by gravimetry (with an
evaporation dish) or calculated by multiplying a conductivity value by an empirical factor 13.
While TDS determination by evaporation is more time-consuming, it is useful when the
composition of a water source is not known. Deriving TDS from conductivity is quicker and
suited for both field measurements and continuous monitoring 42.

When calculating total dissolved solids from a conductivity measurement, a TDS factor is
used. This TDS constant is dependent on the type of solids dissolved in water, and can be
changed depending on the water source. Most conductivity meters and other measurement
options will use a common, approximated constant around 0.65 32. However, when
measuring mixed water or saline water (with a conductivity value greater than 5000
uS/cm), the TDS constant should be higher: around 0.735 and 0.8 respectively 20. Likewise,
fresh or nearly pure water should have a lower TDS constant closer to 0.47-0.50 36.

Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater accepts a TDS constant of
0.55-0.7, though if the water source is known to be high in calcium or sulfate ions, a constant
of 0.8 may be used 13. Several conductivity meters will accept a constant outside of this
range, but it is recommended to reanalyze the sample by evaporation to confirm this ratio 13.

As seen in the table below, solutions with the same conductivity value, but different ionic
constitutions (KCl vs NaCl vs 442) will have different total dissolved solid concentrations.
This is due to the difference in molecular weight 40. In addition, the ionic composition will
change the recommended TDS constant.

At the same conductivity value, each solution will have a different concentration of dissolved
solids and thus a different TDS factor.

All three standards are acceptable for conductivity calibrations. However, the ionic
composition should be considered if calculating total dissolved solids. If a project allows for
it, the TDS constant should be determined for each specific site based on known ionic
constituents in the water 6.