conductivity

[noun]

A measurement of a substance’s ability to transmit (or conduct) heat, sound, or electricity. For example, copper exhibits high conductivity in relation to the transfer of heat or electricity.

In aquatic science, conductivity is a measurement of water’s ability to conduct electricity. Along with salinity (the measurement of salt dissolved in a volume of water), conductivity provides information on what kinds of dissolved solids are in the water. Water with a high concentration of inorganic salts, for example, will conduct electricity much faster than water with a lower concentrations.