Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-IND-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 µS/cm
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MinimumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The 'Limit' trigger of 42 µS/cm established at this site is, by definition, an upper detrimental threshold for chronic exposure.

Metric Definition:

Upper Detrimental Threshold for Electrical Conductivity in tropical rainforest streams.

Benchmark Definition:

Maximum acceptable EC for chronic exposure to avoid ecological harm.

Justification:

Exceeding this limit implies a direct and unacceptable risk of ecological harm, including impacts on the growth, reproduction, and survival of sensitive species.

Sources (1)

Preview of Assessing discharges from a uranium mine 14 case study - Water Quality Australia, accessed May 14, 2025,
Assessing discharges from a uranium mine 14 case study - Water Quality Australia, accessed May 14, 2025, Government

Water Quality Guidelines Assessing discharges from a uranium ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (24)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) The responses of stream fish to the gradient of conductivity: A case study from the Taizi River, China - ResearchGate
(PDF) The responses of stream fish to the gradient of conductivity: A case study from the Taizi River, China - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

The Effects of Elevated Specific Conductivity on the Chronic Toxicity of Mining Influenced Streams Using Ceriodaphnia dubia - PMC - PubMed Central

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Water and Sediment Quality Indicators for the Gladstone Harbour Report Card 2017 Cover photo by Natalia Muszkat Photography Acknowledgements - ResearchGate
(PDF) Water and Sediment Quality Indicators for the Gladstone Harbour Report Card 2017 Cover photo by Natalia Muszkat Photography Acknowledgements - ResearchGate
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Water and Sediment Quality Indicators for the Gladstone Harbour Report Card 2017 Cover photo by Natalia Muszkat Photography Acknowledgements - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Water Quality Degradation of Coastal Waterways in the Wet Tropics, Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
(PDF) Water Quality Degradation of Coastal Waterways in the Wet Tropics, Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support

Requirements for graziers | Environment, land and water ..., accessed July 19, 2025,

View Source
Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,
1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's Northern Tropical Rivers - Report 5 - Water quality - DCCEEW, accessed August 1, 2025,
A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's Northern Tropical Rivers - Report 5 - Water quality - DCCEEW, accessed August 1, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Threshold Indicator Taxa ANalysis and change points (dots) for the ...

View Source
Preview of A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Namoi River Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - V, accessed July 22, 2025
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - V, accessed July 22, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, accessed August 2, 2025,
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, accessed August 2, 2025,
Regulatory Framework

National Guidelines for Water Quality | Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania

View Source
Preview of Branchial osmoregulation in the euryhaline bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas: a molecular analysis of ion transporters - Company of Biologists Journals
Branchial osmoregulation in the euryhaline bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas: a molecular analysis of ion transporters - Company of Biologists Journals
Contextual Support Journal

Branchial osmoregulation in the euryhaline bull shark, Carcharhinus leucas: a molecular analysis of ion transporters - Company of Biologists Journals

View Source
Preview of Bruce Highway Upgrade – Clairview to Prosperine | The APP Group
Bruce Highway Upgrade – Clairview to Prosperine | The APP Group
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

How roads can help fix the Great Barrier Reef's water quality problem | AECOM

View Source
Preview of Compliance Report - Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section C (Traveston to Woondum) December 2020 - Transport and Main Roads
Compliance Report - Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section C (Traveston to Woondum) December 2020 - Transport and Main Roads
Irrelevant

Compliance Report - Bruce Highway Cooroy to Curra Section C (Traveston to Woondum) December 2020 - Transport and Main Roads

View Source
Preview of Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,
Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Diatom0water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

View Source
Preview of Environmental Impact Statement Addendum Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Environmental Impact Statement Addendum Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning
Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Impact Statement Addendum Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning

View Source
Preview of Guidelines for the management of water in mines and quarries - Resources Victoria, accessed July 24, 2025
Guidelines for the management of water in mines and quarries - Resources Victoria, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Eastern Pilbara Water Resources Management Plan - EPA WA, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Ion Regulation In Fish - Canada.ca
Ion Regulation In Fish - Canada.ca
Contextual Support Journal

Acid and ion transfer across the gills of fish: Mechanisms and regulation - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Land-use effects on water quality in an intensively managed catchment in the Australian humid tropics - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed July 21, 2025
Land-use effects on water quality in an intensively managed catchment in the Australian humid tropics - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed July 21, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Ion regulation in fish gills: recent progress in the cellular and molecular mechanisms

View Source
Preview of National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,
Regulatory Framework

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ...

View Source
Preview of Osmoregulation in the Hawaiian anchialine shrimp Halocaridina rubra (Crustacea: Atyidae): expression of ion transporters, mitochondria-rich cell proliferation and hemolymph osmolality during salinity transfers - Company of Biologists Journals
Osmoregulation in the Hawaiian anchialine shrimp Halocaridina rubra (Crustacea: Atyidae): expression of ion transporters, mitochondria-rich cell proliferation and hemolymph osmolality during salinity transfers - Company of Biologists Journals
Contextual Support Journal

Osmoregulation in the Hawaiian anchialine shrimp Halocaridina rubra (Crustacea: Atyidae): expression of ion transporters, mitochondria-rich cell proliferation and hemolymph osmolality during salinity transfers - Company of Biologists Journals

View Source
Preview of Percentage compliance with ANZECC water quality trigger values for aquatic ecosystems, primary contact recreation and secondary, accessed August 11, 2025
Percentage compliance with ANZECC water quality trigger values for aquatic ecosystems, primary contact recreation and secondary, accessed August 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Values, Water Quality Objectives and Targets for the Black Ross Water Quality Improvement Plan Appendices December - Creek to Coral

View Source
Preview of Port of Gladstone Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - Coordinator-General's report for an environmental impact sta - State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
Port of Gladstone Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - Coordinator-General's report for an environmental impact sta - State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
Contextual Support

Port of Gladstone Western Basin Dredging and Disposal Project - Coordinator-General's report for an environmental impact sta - State Development, Infrastructure and Planning

View Source
Preview of The Effects of Elevated Specific Conductivity on the Chronic Toxicity of Mining Influenced Streams Using Ceriodaphnia dubia - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
The Effects of Elevated Specific Conductivity on the Chronic Toxicity of Mining Influenced Streams Using Ceriodaphnia dubia - PubMed Central, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of understanding the new anzecc water quality guidelines - Environmetrics Australia, accessed May 11, 2025,
understanding the new anzecc water quality guidelines - Environmetrics Australia, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water Report 2019 - Glencore
Water Report 2019 - Glencore
Contextual Support Journal

Water Report 2019 - Glencore

View Source
Preview of Water stewardship | Leading practice handbooks for sustainable mining
Water stewardship | Leading practice handbooks for sustainable mining
Contextual Support Journal

ssr173 Ecotoxicological testing protocols for Australian tropical freshwater ecosystems - DCCEEW

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
  • Land Use Industrial & Infrastructure Use
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 20 Mar 2026

Notes

This threshold is based on site-specific toxicological research and is more conservative than thresholds found in temperate Australian streams. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:14 UTC: BenchmarkValue 42 → 30 (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Swapping values to reflect correct ecological roles: the MinimumOnly benchmark should have the lower threshold of 30 µS/cm, consistent with its role as a floor guard after swap.)

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-IND-WEC family.

42 µS/cm Moderate
Industrial & Infrastructure Use · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v2
42 µS/cm High
Industrial & Infrastructure Use · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
20 µS/cm Moderate
Industrial & Infrastructure Use · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v1