Water Nitrate

AUS-TMI-IND-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 0.004 to 0.035 mg/L

Optimal Range: 0.004 to 0.035

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: OptimalRange

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 11 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 10 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The optimal range is therefore defined as any concentration below the benchmark of 0.035 mg/L NO₃. Within this range, lower concentrations are considered more optimal.

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of water nitrate concentration reflecting natural background levels in tropical Australian marine ecosystems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal nitrate concentration range that maintains natural nitrogen-limited conditions in tropical Australian marine ecosystems.

Justification:

Based on ecological principles of nitrogen limitation and regional water quality guidelines for slightly disturbed ecosystems.

Sources (1)

Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed August 5, 2025,

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed August 5, 2025, Journal

tuvalu-data.sprep.org

Supporting Sources (33)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Port of Mackay and Hay Point Ambient Marine Water Quality ..., accessed August 1, 2025,

(PDF) Port of Mackay and Hay Point Ambient Marine Water Quality ..., accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Turbidity - Port of Townsville, accessed August 1, 2025,

Preview of (PDF) Revised method for deriving Australian and New Zealand water quality guideline values for toxicants - ResearchGate, accessed August 2, 2025,

(PDF) Revised method for deriving Australian and New Zealand water quality guideline values for toxicants - ResearchGate, accessed August 2, 2025,

Methodology Source GreyLiterature

(PDF) Revised method for deriving Australian and New Zealand water quality guideline values for toxicants - ResearchGate, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of 2017/18 - Rio Tinto Australia Weipa (Queensland) - PFAS, accessed August 2, 2025,

2017/18 - Rio Tinto Australia Weipa (Queensland) - PFAS, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

2017/18 - Rio Tinto Australia Weipa (Queensland) - PFAS, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025

ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) guidelines - Water Quality Australia

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,

Contextual Support Government

Water Quality Guidelines Assessing discharges from a uranium ...

Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ...,

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

Regulatory Framework Government

Australian Water Quality Guidelines For Fresh and Marine Waters (ANZECC) 2000. | PDF | Biodiversity | Aquatic Ecosystem - Scribd, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of Cadmium: advice for Christmas Island residents - WA Health, accessed August 2, 2025,

Cadmium: advice for Christmas Island residents - WA Health, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Cadmium: advice for Christmas Island residents - WA Health, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Christmas Island, accessed August 2, 2025,

Christmas Island, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Christmas Island, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 1, 2025

Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 1, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Monitoring wetland water quality related to livestock grazing in amphibian habitats - PMC, accessed July 25, 2025,

Preview of Deriving guideline values using reference-site data - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025

Deriving guideline values using reference-site data - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 12, 2025

Methodology Source Government

Water Quality Guidelines Home - Water Quality Australia

Preview of Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An ... - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An ... - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Environmental Best Practice Port Development: An ... - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Eutrophication and coral reefs-some examples in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon - UQ eSpace, accessed August 2, 2025,

Eutrophication and coral reefs-some examples in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon - UQ eSpace, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Eutrophication and coral reefs-some examples in the Great Barrier Reef lagoon - UQ eSpace, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025

Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025,

Preview of Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025

Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status, accessed July 18, 2025

Preview of Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - ResearchGate,

Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - ResearchGate,

Direct Evidence

Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Preview of Highlights of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Highlights of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Highlights of the Reef 2050 Long-Term Sustainability Plan - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Hydrology - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Hydrology - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,

Irrelevant

The freshwater lens on Home Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, accessed July 27, 2025

Preview of Inshore water quality | Reef Authority, accessed August 2, 2025,

Inshore water quality | Reef Authority, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support

5 October 2011 Water quality testing shows little change in Gladstone Harbor The State Government has today released a report r, accessed August 1, 2025,

Preview of Monitoring the Health of Coastal Environments in the Pacific Region—A Review - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,

Monitoring the Health of Coastal Environments in the Pacific Region—A Review - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Monitoring the Health of Coastal Environments in the Pacific Region—A Review - PMC, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Nitrate in freshwater and marine water - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,

Nitrate in freshwater and marine water - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

Preview of Nitrate limitation in early Neoproterozoic oceans delayed the ecological rise of eukaryotes, accessed August 2, 2025,

Nitrate limitation in early Neoproterozoic oceans delayed the ecological rise of eukaryotes, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Nitrate limitation in early Neoproterozoic oceans delayed the ecological rise of eukaryotes, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Nutrient Cycling on Coral Reefs - The Fiore Lab, accessed August 2, 2025,

Nutrient Cycling on Coral Reefs - The Fiore Lab, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nutrient Cycling on Coral Reefs - The Fiore Lab, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Poor Water Quality - Great Barrier Reef Foundation, accessed August 4, 2025,

Poor Water Quality - Great Barrier Reef Foundation, accessed August 4, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of ..., accessed August 4, 2025

Preview of Port of Mackay and Hay Point Ambient Marine Water Quality Monitoring Program: Annual Report 2020-2021 - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed August 1, 2025,

Port of Mackay and Hay Point Ambient Marine Water Quality Monitoring Program: Annual Report 2020-2021 - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Port Curtis Integrated Monitoring Program, accessed August 1, 2025,

Preview of PORT OF ROCKHAMPTON WATER QUALITY MONITORING ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

PORT OF ROCKHAMPTON WATER QUALITY MONITORING ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

PORT OF ROCKHAMPTON WATER QUALITY MONITORING ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Suitable Environmental Ranges for Potential Coral Reef Habitats in ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

Suitable Environmental Ranges for Potential Coral Reef Habitats in ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Suitable Environmental Ranges for Potential Coral Reef Habitats in ..., accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Surface Water - Aurukun Bauxite Project EIS - Glencore Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,

Surface Water - Aurukun Bauxite Project EIS - Glencore Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Surface Water - Aurukun Bauxite Project EIS - Glencore Australia, accessed July 13, 2025,

Preview of The Impact of Nitrogen Eutrophication on Caribbean Coral Reefs: A Review, accessed August 2, 2025,

The Impact of Nitrogen Eutrophication on Caribbean Coral Reefs: A Review, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support

The Impact of Nitrogen Eutrophication on Caribbean Coral Reefs: A Review, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Understanding nitrogen dynamics in coral holobionts: comprehensive review of processes, advancements, gaps, and future directions - Frontiers, accessed August 2, 2025,

Understanding nitrogen dynamics in coral holobionts: comprehensive review of processes, advancements, gaps, and future directions - Frontiers, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Understanding nitrogen dynamics in coral holobionts: comprehensive review of processes, advancements, gaps, and future directions - Frontiers, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

Preview of Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region - Background Document - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 16, 2025,

Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region - Background Document - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Water Quality Objectives for the Darwin Harbour Region - Background Document - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

Preview of What are Phytoplankton? - NASA Earth Observatory, accessed August 2, 2025,

What are Phytoplankton? - NASA Earth Observatory, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

What are Phytoplankton? - NASA Earth Observatory, accessed August 2, 2025,

Preview of www.frontiersin.org, accessed August 2, 2025,

www.frontiersin.org, accessed August 2, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

www.frontiersin.org, accessed August 2, 2025,

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
Land Use Industrial & Infrastructure Use
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 2 Jun 2026

Notes

Lower concentrations within this range, approaching pristine offshore levels (~0.004 mg/L), are most favorable for sensitive ecosystems like coral reefs. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are not desirable. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMI-IND-WNI family.