Water Nitrate

AUS-AMR-CON-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1 mg/L

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: Point

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 5 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 4 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

The optimal range is considered the natural background condition, best represented by the 99% species protection guideline of 1.0 mg/L as NO3−-N.

Metric Definition:

Water nitrate concentration as nitrate-nitrogen (NO3−-N) in surface water

Benchmark Definition:

Natural background nitrate concentration representing the optimal condition for conservation areas in the Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands biome.

Justification:

Represents the 99% species protection guideline, indicating a near-pristine state with negligible risk to sensitive aquatic species.

Sources (1)

Preview of A guide to attributes for the National Objectives Framework. Mahinga kai ERI-106

A guide to attributes for the National Objectives Framework. Mahinga kai ERI-106 Journal

A guide to attributes for the National Objectives Framework. Mahinga kai ERI-106

Supporting Sources (50)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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(a) Map of Australia showing arid regions labeled as Desert and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

(a) Map of Australia showing arid regions labeled as Desert and... | Download Scientific Diagram - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

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(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

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5.7 Nitrates | Monitoring & Assessment | US EPA, accessed August 1, 2025

Contextual Support Government

Determining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025

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A review of groundwater- surface water interactions in arid/semi-arid wetlands and the consequences for wetland ecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support

A review of groundwater- surface water interactions in arid/semi-arid wetlands and the consequences for wetland ecology | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 3, 2025,

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A review of water quality studies relevant to northern Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 21, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Salinity and water quality

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Alice Mulga SuperSite | Soil & Vegetation Monitoring - TERN Australia, accessed July 22, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Great Western Woodlands, Ground Water Data, 2014 - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges region Destination Management Plan - Tourism NT, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Alice Springs and MacDonnell Ranges region Destination Management Plan - Tourism NT, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of Alice Springs Mulga Flux Data Collection - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed August 3, 2025,

Alice Springs Mulga Flux Data Collection - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Alice Springs Mulga Flux Data Collection - TERN Data Discovery Portal, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of Amadeus Basin, central Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,

Amadeus Basin, central Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Amadeus Basin, central Australia, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Atlas of Living Australia – Open access to Australia's biodiversity data, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

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Atlas of Living Australia: Sharing Australia's biodiversity information - CSIRO, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

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Regulatory Framework Government

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Regulatory Framework Journal

tuvalu-data.sprep.org

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Base Metal Potential – Amadeus Basin, NT – Sediment-Hosted Mineral Systems, accessed August 3, 2025,

Irrelevant

Base Metal Potential – Amadeus Basin, NT – Sediment-Hosted Mineral Systems, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Characterising the relationship between water quality and water quantity, accessed August 5, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Turbidity | Australia state of the environment 2021

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Dr Tapas Biswas - CSIRO people, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Dr Tapas Biswas - CSIRO people, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia

Methodology Source Government

Ecosystem Processes – Environmental Data Collection Methods - TERN Australia, accessed July 17, 2025

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Methodology Source Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

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Finke River - Wikipedia, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Finke River - Wikipedia, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of Flinders Ranges | Australia, Map, & Facts - Britannica, accessed August 3, 2025,

Flinders Ranges | Australia, Map, & Facts - Britannica, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Flinders Ranges | Australia, Map, & Facts - Britannica, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Groundwater-Surface water interactions research: Past trends and future directions - Charles Darwin University, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support

Groundwater-Surface water interactions research: Past trends and future directions - Charles Darwin University, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of Groundwater–surface water interactions in the hyporheic zone - GOV.UK, accessed August 3, 2025,

Groundwater–surface water interactions in the hyporheic zone - GOV.UK, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Groundwater–surface water interactions in the hyporheic zone - GOV.UK, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 10, 2025,

Preview of Interaction of Ground Water and Surface Water in Different Landscapes, accessed August 3, 2025,

Interaction of Ground Water and Surface Water in Different Landscapes, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Interaction of Ground Water and Surface Water in Different Landscapes, accessed August 3, 2025,

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MacDonnell Ranges - DCCEEW, accessed July 29, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

www.dcceew.gov.au, accessed July 27, 2025

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MacDonnell Ranges bioregion - DCCEEW

Contextual Support Journal

Soil Constraints in an Arid Environment—Challenges, Prospects ...

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Nitrate and nitrite | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 8, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

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

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Nitrate Concentration - Suwannee River Water Management District, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

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Nitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Government

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

Contextual Support

Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000

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Nitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA, accessed August 8, 2025

Direct Evidence Government

Nitrate toxicity guidelines for the National Objectives Framework - NIWA

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Outback Water Project | Project | BioCollect, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Outback Water Project | Project | BioCollect, accessed August 3, 2025,

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References and Appendices (in: SSR116 - Overview of the conservation status of wetlands of the Northern Territory) - DCCEEW, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

References and Appendices (in: SSR116 - Overview of the conservation status of wetlands of the Northern Territory) - DCCEEW, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Removal of nitrates from groundwater in remote indigenous settings in arid Central Australia - OPUS at UTS, accessed July 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

NITRATE IN GROUNDWATER | Water Research Commission, accessed July 25, 2025

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Surface Water - NTEPA, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Surface Water - NTEPA, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Tahbil - Water Quality Data Portal, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

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Contextual Support GreyLiterature

TERN Alice Mulga SuperSite - Australia - DEIMS-SDR, accessed August 3, 2025,

Preview of The Amadeus Basin, central Australia - episodes.org, accessed August 3, 2025,

The Amadeus Basin, central Australia - episodes.org, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

The Amadeus Basin, central Australia - episodes.org, accessed August 3, 2025,

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The arid Australian environment - Australian Wildlife Society, accessed July 6, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

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Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park | NT.GOV.AU, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Tjoritja / West MacDonnell National Park | NT.GOV.AU, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Updating nitrate toxicity effects on freshwater aquatic species - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 3, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

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Vol 1 The Guidelines - NATIONAL WATER QUALITY ... - EPA SA, accessed August 11, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Journal

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Water - CSIRO, accessed July 16, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

A review of water quality studies relevant to northern Australia - CSIRO, accessed July 25, 2025

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Water in Quorn | Flinders Ranges Council, accessed August 3, 2025,

Irrelevant

Water in Quorn | Flinders Ranges Council, accessed August 1, 2025

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Water quality | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 5, 2025

Contextual Support

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

Regulatory Framework Government

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

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Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,

Methodology Source Journal

Seasonal changes in water quality and macrophytes and the ...

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

Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Impact of mitigated forestry activities on turbidity: assessing ...

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Water quality review and treatment technology framework for remote community water supply - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 3, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Water quality review and treatment technology framework for remote community water supply - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 3, 2025,

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www.csiro.au, accessed May 20, 2025,

Contextual Support

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Tuvalu Environment Data Portal

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 2 Jun 2026

Notes

No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse for water nitrate in this context. Lower nitrate levels signify a healthier, more natural state in these nutrient-poor ecosystems. The concept of a lower critical threshold is not applicable.