Water Nitrate

AUS-TSW-AGR-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0 to 0.177 mg/L
Optimal Range: 0 to 0.177
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: OptimalRange

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 UpperThreshold Guard MinimumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for maintaining high ecological health in waterways draining these agricultural systems is therefore from natural background levels up to the benchmark of 0.177 mg/L.

Metric Definition:

Optimal functional range of water nitrate concentration (NO3−) for ecological health in agricultural crop production areas.

Benchmark Definition:

This range defines the optimal water nitrate concentration for maintaining ecological health in agricultural landscapes of the Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands biome.

Justification:

Maintaining concentrations within this range signifies minimal nutrient loss and decoupling of agricultural production from aquatic ecosystem degradation.

Sources (1)

Preview of communities.unep.org, accessed May 15, 2025,
communities.unep.org, accessed May 15, 2025,

The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species

View Source

Supporting Sources (45)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) An Assessment of the Economic Impacts of NSW Agriculture Research and Extension: Conservation Farming and Reduced Tillage in Northern NSW - ResearchGate
(PDF) An Assessment of the Economic Impacts of NSW Agriculture Research and Extension: Conservation Farming and Reduced Tillage in Northern NSW - ResearchGate
Contextual Support

(PDF) An Assessment of the Economic Impacts of NSW Agriculture Research and Extension: Conservation Farming and Reduced Tillage in Northern NSW - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Eutrophication in Australian Rivers, Reservoirs and Estuaries  A Southern Hemisphere Perspective on the Science and its Implications - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
(PDF) Eutrophication in Australian Rivers, Reservoirs and Estuaries  A Southern Hemisphere Perspective on the Science and its Implications - ResearchGate, accessed May 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Case studies - Water Sensitive SA

View Source
Preview of (PDF) When do cover crops reduce nitrate leaching? A global meta‐analysis
(PDF) When do cover crops reduce nitrate leaching? A global meta‐analysis
Meta Analysis Journal

Cover Crops and Fertilization Alter Nitrogen Loss in Organic and Conventional Conservation Agriculture Systems - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of A Biodiverse Land | Western Australian Museum
A Biodiverse Land | Western Australian Museum
Contextual Support Government

A Biodiverse Land | Western Australian Museum

View Source
Preview of A critical review of paired catchment studies with reference to seasonal flows and climatic variability - eWater
A critical review of paired catchment studies with reference to seasonal flows and climatic variability - eWater
Contextual Support Journal

A critical review of paired catchment studies with reference to seasonal flows and climatic variability - eWater

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,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Namoi River Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government

View Source
Preview of ANZEC Guidelines - Risk Assessment for Contaminated Sites in New Zealand, accessed July 18, 2025,
ANZEC Guidelines - Risk Assessment for Contaminated Sites in New Zealand, accessed July 18, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority

View Source
Preview of Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Approved Conservation Advice for the White Box - Yellow Box - Blakely's Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland - DCCEEW, accessed August 12, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Conservation Advice for Lowland Grassy Woodland in the South East Corner Bioregion

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Preview of Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Australia state of the environment 2021: land, accessed May 11, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Buffel grass in Queensland's semi-arid woodlands - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 13, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Volume 3 - Chapter 9 - Primary Industries
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Volume 3 - Chapter 9 - Primary Industries
Contextual Support Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Volume 3 - Chapter 9 - Primary Industries

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Preview of Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin in response to climate change - UNSW Sydney, accessed August 10, 2025
Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the Murray-Darling Basin in response to climate change - UNSW Sydney, accessed August 10, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Challenges and adaptation needs for water quality in the ... - UNSW

View Source
Preview of Cover Crops and Nitrate Leaching - Agriculture Water Quality
Cover Crops and Nitrate Leaching - Agriculture Water Quality
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Cover Crops and Nitrate Leaching - Agriculture Water Quality

View Source
Preview of Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,
Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009

View Source
Preview of Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review - Frontiers
Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review - Frontiers
Contextual Support Journal

Enhancing sustainable crop production through integrated nutrient management: a focus on vermicompost, bio-enriched rock phosphate, and inorganic fertilisers – a systematic review - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Eutrophication - Wikipedia
Eutrophication - Wikipedia
Contextual Support

Eutrophication - Wikipedia

Preview of Eyre Peninsula Landscape Regional Summary 2020 Aquatic ...
Eyre Peninsula Landscape Regional Summary 2020 Aquatic ...
Contextual Support Government

Eyre Peninsula Landscape Regional Summary 2020 Aquatic ...

View Source
Preview of Farming systems can affect soil biology, soil pathogens and system resilience - GRDC
Farming systems can affect soil biology, soil pathogens and system resilience - GRDC
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Beyond Bacteria: The Importance of Fungi, Protozoa and Nematodes in Soil Microbiology, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of forty-five years of paired catchment monitoring in the Brigalow Belt of Australia
forty-five years of paired catchment monitoring in the Brigalow Belt of Australia
Contextual Support Journal

forty-five years of paired catchment monitoring in the Brigalow Belt of Australia

View Source
Preview of Full article: Effects of land use on water quality at different spatial scales in the middle reaches of Huaihe River - Taylor & Francis Online
Full article: Effects of land use on water quality at different spatial scales in the middle reaches of Huaihe River - Taylor & Francis Online
Contextual Support

Full article: Effects of land use on water quality at different spatial scales in the middle reaches of Huaihe River - Taylor & Francis Online

View Source
Preview of Full article: Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters - Taylor & Francis Online
Full article: Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters - Taylor & Francis Online
Contextual Support

Environmental Condition Index (Econd) - Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Great Western Woodlands (58) - Australian Acoustic Observatory
Great Western Woodlands (58) - Australian Acoustic Observatory
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Great Western Woodlands (58) - Australian Acoustic Observatory

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Preview of Harmful algal bloom - Wikipedia
Harmful algal bloom - Wikipedia
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Harmful algal bloom - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Soil Quality and Crop Productivity in Maize-Based Cropping System - MDPI
Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Soil Quality and Crop Productivity in Maize-Based Cropping System - MDPI
Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Nutrient Management Enhances Soil Quality and Crop Productivity in Maize-Based Cropping System - MDPI

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Preview of Integrated Nutrient Management: A Long-term Approach towards Sustainability
Integrated Nutrient Management: A Long-term Approach towards Sustainability
Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Nutrient Management: A Long-term Approach towards Sustainability

View Source
Preview of Nitrate and nitrite | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 8, 2025
Nitrate and nitrite | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZG 2018)

View Source
Preview of Nitrate in United Kingdom Rivers: Policy and Its Outcomes Since 1970 - ACS Publications, accessed August 5, 2025
Nitrate in United Kingdom Rivers: Policy and Its Outcomes Since 1970 - ACS Publications, accessed August 5, 2025
Direct Evidence

Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection: Nitrate in freshwater - Water Quality Australia

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen fertilisers — improving efficiency and saving money - Agriculture Victoria
Nitrogen fertilisers — improving efficiency and saving money - Agriculture Victoria
Contextual Support Government

Nitrogen fertilisers — improving efficiency and saving money - Agriculture Victoria

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Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 13 – Acacia open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed July 13, 2025,
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 13 – Acacia open woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Database - Resilience Alliance, accessed July 30, 2025,

View Source
Preview of NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed July 15, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 14 – Mallee woodlands and shrublands - DCCEEW, accessed August 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Predicting Shifts in Australian Shrublands with Changing Climates and Land Uses - USDA Forest Service
Predicting Shifts in Australian Shrublands with Changing Climates and Land Uses - USDA Forest Service
Contextual Support

Predicting Shifts in Australian Shrublands with Changing Climates and Land Uses - USDA Forest Service

View Source
Preview of Project Updates – Mixed Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming - CSIRO Research
Project Updates – Mixed Cover Crops for Sustainable Farming - CSIRO Research
Contextual Support Government

Stubble Retention in Cropping Systems in Southern Australia: Benefits and Challenges - Charles Sturt University, accessed July 8, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative Agriculture—A Literature Review on the Practices and Mechanisms Used to Improve Soil Health - MDPI, accessed July 20, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Role of soil drying in nitrogen mineralization and microbial community function in semi-arid grasslands of North-West Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Role of soil drying in nitrogen mineralization and microbial community function in semi-arid grasslands of North-West Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate
Contextual Support

Microbial impact on initial soil formation in arid and semiarid environments under simulated climate change - Frontiers, accessed July 28, 2025

View Source
Preview of Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )
Semi-arid woodlands (shrubby sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science, accessed July 12, 2025, )
Contextual Support Government

Semi-arid woodlands (grassy sub-formation) | NSW Environment, Energy and Science

View Source
Preview of Soil biodiversity - Wikipedia
Soil biodiversity - Wikipedia
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil biodiversity - Wikipedia, accessed July 8, 2025

View Source
Preview of Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Southeast Australia temperate savanna - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed August 8, 2025
The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed August 8, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of The role of cover crops in reducing nitrate leaching and increasing soil organic matter - CABI Digital Library
The role of cover crops in reducing nitrate leaching and increasing soil organic matter - CABI Digital Library
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The role of cover crops in reducing nitrate leaching and increasing soil organic matter - CABI Digital Library

View Source
Preview of The water quality and economic benefits of agricultural management practices, accessed August 5, 2025
The water quality and economic benefits of agricultural management practices, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

DRINKING WATER QUALITY ANNUAL REPORT 2022-2023 - Alpine Resorts Victoria

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Preview of Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series
Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series
Contextual Support

Water Assessment Water Quality Report Series, accessed August 11, 2025

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Preview of Water quality in the Murray–Darling Basin: The potential impacts of climate change, accessed August 12, 2025
Water quality in the Murray–Darling Basin: The potential impacts of climate change, accessed August 12, 2025
Contextual Support

Water Quality Objectives - Border Rivers - NSW Government, accessed August 12, 2025

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Preview of Water quality threats | Murray–Darling Basin Authority
Water quality threats | Murray–Darling Basin Authority
Contextual Support Government

Water quality threats | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

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Preview of What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
Contextual Support Journal

What's wrong with the Australian River Assessment System (AUSRIVAS)? - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research

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Preview of Woodlands - DCCEEW
Woodlands - DCCEEW
Contextual Support

Woodlands - DCCEEW

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type TargetCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 2 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower boundary is natural background level (near analytical detection limit). Upper boundary is the benchmark value set to prevent eutrophication and sub-lethal impacts on aquatic fauna. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSW-AGR-WNI family.

0.177 mg/L Moderate
Agricultural Crop Production · Not Stated
Point Active v1