| Hydrogen Ion (pH) | Glass combination electrode measuring hydrogen-ion activity | pH 0 to 14, depending on electrode design and sample matrix | 0.01 pH unit for routine testing; 0.001 pH unit on higher-resolution meters | Two- or three-point calibration using certified buffer solutions such as pH 4.01, 6.86 or 7.00, and 9.18 or 10.01 | Automatic temperature compensation is strongly recommended | Drinking water, wastewater, aquaculture, food processing, laboratories |
| Fluoride (F⁻) | Fluoride ion-selective electrode, usually combined with a reference electrode | Approximately 0.02 to 1,900 mg/L, electrode dependent | 0.01 to 0.1 mg/L at low concentrations | At least two standards covering the expected sample range; use ionic-strength adjustment when required | Temperature measurement is useful because electrode slope changes with temperature | Drinking-water monitoring, mineral analysis, industrial process control |
| Nitrate (NO₃⁻) | Nitrate ion-selective electrode or laboratory nitrate electrode system | Approximately 0.6 to 6,200 mg/L, depending on electrode and matrix | 0.1 to 1 mg/L for many field applications | Use two or more nitrate standards; verify recovery with an independent check standard | Automatic temperature compensation improves repeatability | Agricultural runoff, aquaculture, groundwater, fertilizers, wastewater |
| Chloride (Cl⁻) | Chloride ion-selective electrode or argentometric titration system | Approximately 1.8 to 35,500 mg/L, depending on electrode design | 1 to 10 mg/L in routine portable testing | Two- or three-point calibration; avoid standards that are far outside the sample concentration | Temperature compensation is helpful for consistent results across field conditions | Water treatment, desalination, food brine, concrete and environmental testing |
| Calcium (Ca²⁺) | Calcium ion-selective electrode | Approximately 0.4 to 40,000 mg/L, electrode dependent | 0.1 to 1 mg/L at low concentrations | Calibrate across the expected calcium range; control ionic strength for difficult samples | Temperature compensation is recommended for laboratory and process measurements | Hardness screening, boiler water, aquaculture, cement and mineral analysis |
| Ammonium (NH₄⁺) | Ammonium ion-selective electrode with pH and ionic-strength control | Approximately 0.2 to 18,000 mg/L, depending on electrode and sample preparation | 0.1 to 1 mg/L for common water-quality instruments | Use fresh standards and maintain a suitable pH; check for interference from potassium and amines | Temperature compensation is recommended for improved field repeatability | Wastewater, aquaculture, fertilizer solutions, compost and environmental monitoring |
| Potassium (K⁺) | Potassium ion-selective electrode | Approximately 0.04 to 39,000 mg/L, depending on the electrode | 0.1 to 1 mg/L in many portable systems | Perform multi-point calibration and verify selectivity in samples containing sodium | Temperature measurement is recommended for accurate slope correction | Soil extracts, fertilizers, hydroponics, food and beverage analysis |
| Conductivity / TDS Indicator | Electrolytic conductivity cell; TDS is calculated using a conversion factor | Approximately 0 to 200 mS/cm, depending on cell constant and instrument range | 1 µS/cm at low range; 0.01 to 0.1 mS/cm at higher ranges | Use a certified conductivity standard near the expected sample level | Automatic temperature compensation to a reference temperature, commonly 25°C | Water purification, hydroponics, cooling systems, wastewater and quality screening |
| Oxidation-Reduction Potential (ORP) | Inert metal electrode with a reference electrode measuring electrical potential | Typically about -1,000 to +1,000 mV, instrument dependent | 1 mV for routine portable meters | Verify with an ORP standard solution; allow the reading to stabilize before recording | Temperature compensation does not replace proper ORP calibration and sample control | Disinfection control, swimming pools, wastewater and chemical processes |