Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMS-AQU-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

800 μS/cm

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context. The scoring engine uses 18 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 17 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard

Evidence & Context

most inland catchments... contain no sites where maximum EC values exceed approximately 800 μS cm-1

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in freshwater rivers of the Tropical Monsoonal Savanna biome

Benchmark Definition:

The upper limit of natural background electrical conductivity observed in the majority of undisturbed freshwater river catchments in Australia's northern tropics.

Justification:

This value is derived from a comprehensive regional assessment (TRIAP), aligning with the ANZG principle of using local reference data.

Sources (1)

A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's ... - DCCEEW Government

A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's ... - DCCEEW

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

The benchmark represents the upper limit of natural background EC in freshwater systems, not applicable to estuarine or marine aquaculture.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-AQU-WEC family.