Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
Evidence & Context
Based on the DGVs presented in Table 1, the upper detrimental threshold is: 1.1 mg/L as NO3‑N for soft water (< 30 mg/L CaCO3) and 2.6 mg/L as NO3‑N for moderately hard water (30–150 mg/L CaCO3).
Upper detrimental threshold concentration of nitrate-nitrogen (NO3‑N) in freshwater, stratified by water hardness.
Upper detrimental threshold for nitrate concentration in freshwater based on ANZG 2025 guidelines for 95% species protection.
These thresholds are based on a robust chronic toxicity dataset and represent the concentration above which ecological harm is likely.
Supporting Sources (42)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
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