Solids and Conductivity of water What do we know about them and how they affect animal production?

Fortunately, the animal production sector is already aware of the crucial importance of water for animal well-being. We all know that water is vital for the survival of all forms of life and in the context of animal health, its importance is even more critical, as it participates in a multitude of essential physiological functions. We often underestimate its role compared to other nutrients such as proteins, fats and carbohydrates, but water availability and quality can significantly influence animal performance, health and well-being.

In this article we review in detail solids in water, one of the physical and chemical characteristics (CF) of water. We will analyze how these elements affect water quality, the efficiency of water treatments and the health of animals.

1. I) What are the physical and chemical properties of water and specifically solids in water?

These properties refer to the characteristics, as its name indicates, both physical and chemical of water due to its molecular structure, the interactions between them, these characteristics being affected by innumerable variables such as natural situations, anthropogenic actions and a long etcetera. of other variables.

Solids in water refer to any material that is suspended or dissolved in water and are classified into several categories based on their size, physical state, and composition. There are a total of 4 types.

1-Settleable solids (SS)

They are the ones with the highest density and go to the bottom of the continent when the drag forces or the speed of the water ceases.

2-Suspended solids (TSS)

These solids remain in water due to their colloidal nature, which is given by small electrical charges that these particles possess, which make them have a certain affinity for water molecules.

3-Dissolved solids (TDS)

They represent the degree of mineralization of the water, ions of mineral salts of calcium, magnesium, sulfates, sodium, etc. These are closely related to the conductivity of water and which we will see later in this article. These are usually analyzed in a general way.

4-Total Solids (TS).

Which are the sum of the previous 3, settleable solids, suspended solids and dissolved solids.

Dissolved solids or salinity are often confused with total solids (TS), and TDS are actually the residue that remains after evaporating a sample of water previously filtered through a fiberglass element with a size of 1.5 microns. TDS includes salts, minerals, metals and any other organic or inorganic compound that is dissolved in water, or that has passed through the aforementioned filter. The total suspended solids (TSS) are those that remain in the glass fiber filter with a size of 1.5 microns.

• Electrical conductivity of water. Water with high conductivity

Water electrical conductivity and dissolved solids are closely related. The presence of dissolved solids in water influences its ability to conduct electricity, which in turn is reflected in the measurement of its conductivity. Therefore, water with high conductivity is water with a high content of ions such as metals, salts, calcium minerals, magnesium, sulfates, sodium, etc.

How is conductivity/total dissolved solids measured?

This can be measured in 2 ways.

1- Micro-siemens (?S/cm) is the most used scale to measure electrical conductivity.

For this measure, the limit to consider drinking water would be 1,000 to 2,500 micro-siemens/cm, although each country may have its own limit regulations.

2- TDS that are measured in ppm or mg / Liter.

In general, the higher the conductivity or TDS level, the lower water consumption is. Young animals are more intolerant than adults. In cases of high temperature and increased water consumption, as it is concentrated by evaporation salts, it will have a greater impact on the loss of production. Excess conductivity or TDS can cause soft stools, wet beds and generally decreased production.

Classification and consequences in animals according to the different levels of TDS:

• Excellent, < 1,000 mg/l
• Good, 1,000 to 2,000 mg/l.

Mineral levels in the water are unlikely to be a problem and are not worth analyzing individually.

• Regular but satisfactory, 2,000 to 3,000 mg/l

It may temporarily cause mild diarrhea in unaccustomed animals, but should not affect health or production. Individual mineral levels must be analyzed, because any mineral raises the TDS; For example, calcium has a very different physiological effect compared to sulfate, which also contributes to TDS.

• Deficient but satisfactory, 3,000 to 5,000 mg/l

It can cause temporary diarrhea and rejection at first in unaccustomed animals.

• Poorly suitable, >5,000 mg/l

Water with these values ??could still be used mixed with other kind of waters, but it is very likely that the animals will reject the water and productive problems will be triggered (see individual mineral analysis to identify origin).          

• Inadequate, 7,000 to 10,000 mg/l p

With water with this level of TDS there is a considerable risk in animals due to high heat stress or water loss. In general, the use of this type of water should be avoided.

• High risk, > 10,000 mg/l. Do not use under any circumstances.

 

1. Corrective measures for high TDS.

In cases where the TDS are high, we recommend analyzing which elements are the most decisive in establishing the appropriate corrective measures on each occasion:

• Correction of calcium or magnesium salts (hardness)
• Nitrite-nitrate correction
• Correction of sulfates, chlorides, other salts, etc.
• Correction of minerals, iron, manganese

If what is in an aqueous solution are high contents of minerals such as iron and/or manganese, we must apply specific oxidation solutions to lower these levels.

– Chemical oxidation.

It is carried out using chemical oxidizing agents such as calcium or sodium hypochlorite, hydrogen peroxide or other oxidants to lower the levels of iron and/or manganese dissolved in the water. 

– Physical oxidation.

This is through oxidation or aeration towers, which consist of perforated trays placed vertically through which water is passed from the top to the bottom. This increases the oxygen level of the water and can oxidize the iron and manganese present in the water, causing its precipitation. It is convenient to place activated carbon stones in the last tray that trap the precipitated particles of iron oxide or manganese oxide.

Image 1. Oxidation Towers.

 

Why is it important to remove iron and manganese in water for animal production?

High levels of these minerals in drinking water have consequences on animal health. Oxidized iron and manganese particles cause corrosion in facilities and promote the formation of biofilm on surfaces and pipes.

Biofilms are made by bacteria, in this case iron bacteria. Iron bacteria are bacteria common throughout the world that obtain the energy they need to live and multiply by oxidizing iron. The resulting ferric oxide is insoluble, appearing as a gelatinous brown sludge that stains on contact and can contribute to internal corrosion of pipes when water flows through them.  These bacteria can live and proliferate in water with a content as low as 0.1 mg/l; However, they need at least 0.3 ppm of oxygen dissolved in water to carry out oxidation. Iron bacteria can cause health problems when ingested with water:

• They give an unpleasant taste to the water and can cause rejection. Levels > 0.3 mg/l can begin to cause a reduction in water consumption and decreased production.
• The source of iron can cause changes in the balance of the microbiota of the digestive system of animals, since it is used by certain pathogenic bacteria.
• When antibiotics or other substances are used to apply in water, they make their solubility very low, CAUSING THE ANTIBIOTIC not to reach the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) in the target organ. For example, they interfere with oxytetracycline , sulfadiazine or penicillin.
• The presence of iron bacteria causes another type of sulfur microbiota to proliferate, one favors the presence of the other, and since there are sulfur bacteria, it is used by sulfite-reducing bacteria, such as sulfite-reducing Clostridium. Clostridiums spp are the cause of necrotic enteritis in poultry and sudden deaths due to clostridiosis and enterotoxemia in swine, and they find a reservoir where they can protect themselves and multiply in these biofilms caused by iron bacteria.

 

Image 2. Pipe with biofilm.

• High levels of Fe++ and Mn++ in water make biocidal water treatments (chlorine, hydrogen peroxide, chlorine dioxide, etc.) difficult, which normally act by oxidation, making the normal doses applied for correct water sanitation useless.

 

Conclusion.

In addition to the microbiology of drinking water, its physical and chemical quality is also vital for animals to enjoy good health. Aspects such as solids in water that we have mentioned can impact livestock production. Having these factors under control ensures the availability of the highest quality water for the animals. 

At Biocidas ZIX® we work preventively to avoid problems associated with poor physical and microbiological quality of water. We recommend the use of Aquazix® Plus Ag continuously, since in this way you will achieve water of high microbiological quality, elimination of biofilm, and prevention of calcium deposits.