Water Nitrate

AUS-TSW-LVG-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1.3 mg/L
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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 MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard CompositeFramework Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard

Evidence & Context

Ecotoxicological data suggest significant risk to aquatic biodiversity may emerge as Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen approaches and exceeds ~1.3 mg/L.

Metric Definition:

Concentration of Dissolved Inorganic Nitrogen (DIN) in water above which ecological harm to aquatic biodiversity occurs.

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold concentration of DIN indicating onset of ecological harm in aquatic systems.

Justification:

Based on recent ecotoxicological research designed to protect aquatic biodiversity.

Sources (1)

Preview of Establishing riverine nutrient criteria using individual taxa thresholds, accessed August 8, 2025
Establishing riverine nutrient criteria using individual taxa thresholds, accessed August 8, 2025 Journal

Establishing riverine nutrient criteria using individual taxa thresholds - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed July 25, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (34)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of "Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters"
"Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters"
Cross Reference Journal

National-scale estimates of reference conditions for nitrate in Australian groundwater

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1.1.7.1 Ecological systems | Bioregional Assessments, accessed July 13, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

NVIS Fact sheet MVG 19 – Tussock grasslands, accessed July 13, 2025

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Preview of B.ERM.0108 - Wambiana: Grazing strategies and tools to improve profitability and land condition | Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025,
B.ERM.0108 - Wambiana: Grazing strategies and tools to improve profitability and land condition | Meat & Livestock Australia - MLA, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Wambiana : Grazing strategies and tools to improve profitability and ...

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Brigalow Belt - Wikipedia, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

State Soils - Soil Science Australia

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Can extension programs improve grazing management in rangelands: a case study in Australia's Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Can extension programs improve grazing management in rangelands: a case study in Australia's Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO Publishing

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Preview of Cattle and Australia's water supply - MAHB, accessed July 10, 2025,
Cattle and Australia's water supply - MAHB, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Cattle and Australia's water supply - MAHB, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Controls on species distribution and biogeochemical cycling in nitrate-contaminated groundwater and surface water, southeastern Australia - PubMed, accessed July 10, 2025,
Controls on species distribution and biogeochemical cycling in nitrate-contaminated groundwater and surface water, southeastern Australia - PubMed, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Controls on species distribution and biogeochemical cycling in nitrate-contaminated groundwater and surface water, southeastern Australia - PubMed, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025
Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Livestock Grazing on Wetlands: Literature Review - Waikato Regional Council

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Preview of Establishment of reference conditions and trigger values for chemical, physical and micro-biological indicators in New Zealand streams and rivers - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 11, 2025,
Establishment of reference conditions and trigger values for chemical, physical and micro-biological indicators in New Zealand streams and rivers - Ministry for the Environment, accessed August 11, 2025,
Cross Reference Journal

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

View Source
Preview of final report - FutureBeef, accessed July 10, 2025,
final report - FutureBeef, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

final report - FutureBeef, accessed July 10, 2025,

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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
Cross Reference

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

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

View Source
Preview of Herbicides, pesticides and nutrients in the Tindall aquifer, Katherine ...
Herbicides, pesticides and nutrients in the Tindall aquifer, Katherine ...
Direct Evidence Journal

Herbicides, pesticides and nutrients in the Tindall aquifer, Katherine ..., accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Land management for graziers | Business Queensland, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Managing Gully Erosion - NQ Dry Tropics

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Preview of Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Landscape rehydration and regenerative agriculture improves soil health, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Soil Health and Regenerative Agriculture - Southern Queensland Landscapes, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Livestock drinking water guidelines, accessed July 10, 2025,
Livestock drinking water guidelines, accessed July 10, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Journal

Livestock drinking water guidelines, accessed July 10, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Memorandum - Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.

View Source
Preview of Microbial Biogeochemical Cycling of Nitrogen in Arid Ecosystems - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 10, 2025,
Microbial Biogeochemical Cycling of Nitrogen in Arid Ecosystems - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Soil nitrogen dynamics in natural forest ecosystem: a review - Frontiers, accessed July 30, 2025,

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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
Regulatory Framework Government

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

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Preview of Nitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed August 8, 2025
Nitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed August 8, 2025
Regulatory Framework Government

Nitrate in drinking water - WA Health, accessed July 26, 2025,

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Preview of Nitrate leaching from temperate perennial pastures grazed by dairy cows in south-eastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
Nitrate leaching from temperate perennial pastures grazed by dairy cows in south-eastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 8, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrate leaching from temperate perennial pastures grazed by dairy cows in south-eastern Australia - ResearchGate

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Preview of Nutrient loss and water quality under extensive grazing in the upper ...
Nutrient loss and water quality under extensive grazing in the upper ...
Contextual Support Journal

Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed July 18, 2025

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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,

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Preview of Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 26, 2025,
Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in New Zealand groundwaters - PMC - PubMed Central, accessed July 26, 2025,
Cross Reference Journal

Reference conditions and threshold values for nitrate-nitrogen in ..., accessed July 25, 2025

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Preview of Regen Ag #9- Nurture the Water Cycle - Dirty Clean Food
Regen Ag #9- Nurture the Water Cycle - Dirty Clean Food
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water Quality Guidelines Level of protection, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Regenerative agriculture in Australia: the changing face of farming - Frontiers, accessed August 4, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Regenerative agriculture is key to dry season preparation - Soils For Life, accessed July 23, 2025

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

Temperate Grasslands - Greening Australia

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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

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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

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Preview of TERN data assist government and industry-led sustainable grazing practices in Great Barrier Reef catchments - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed on June 5, 2025
TERN data assist government and industry-led sustainable grazing practices in Great Barrier Reef catchments - Terrestrial Ecosystem Research Network, accessed on June 5, 2025
Contextual Support Government

TERN data assist government and industry-led sustainable grazing practices in Great Barrier Reef catchments, accessed July 18, 2025

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Preview of The Wambiana grazing trial | FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
The Wambiana grazing trial | FutureBeef, accessed July 19, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Wambiana grazing trial - FutureBeef

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Preview of Water availability - A physiological constraint on nitrate utilization in plants of Australian semi-arid mulga woodlands - UQ eSpace, accessed July 10, 2025,
Water availability - A physiological constraint on nitrate utilization in plants of Australian semi-arid mulga woodlands - UQ eSpace, accessed July 10, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Water availability - A physiological constraint on nitrate utilization in plants of Australian semi-arid mulga woodlands - UQ eSpace, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,
Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Water quality and the grazing animal - PubMed, accessed July 30, 2025,

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Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 5, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Woodlands - DCCEEW, accessed August 4, 2025,

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Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Semi-Arid Shrublands & Open Woodlands
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This threshold is an effects-based limit to prevent eutrophication and protect aquatic taxa. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

1.65 mg/L High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Shrubland
MaximumOnly Active v2
— mg/L High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Shrubland
OptimalRange Active v2
1.65 mg/L High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Shrubland
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
— mg/L High
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target · Shrubland
OptimalRange Superseded v1