Water Nitrate

AUS-TMS-URB-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 0.002 to 0.019 mg/L
Optimal Range: 0.002 to 0.019
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 13 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 12 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

The optimal range for high ecological integrity is from the benchmark value (< 0.002 mg/L N) up to the median concentration of pristine catchments (~0.019 mg/L N 8).

Metric Definition:

Optimal range of nitrate concentration in water indicating high ecological integrity.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the nitrate concentration range indicating the healthiest ecological state in the biome's urban and developed waters.

Justification:

This range is based on measured concentrations in the well-mixed urban harbour and pristine undeveloped catchments.

Sources (1)

Preview of Nutrients in Australian tropical rivers: changes with agricultural development and implications for receiving environments | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025,
Nutrients in Australian tropical rivers: changes with agricultural development and implications for receiving environments | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 20, 2025, Journal

Nutrients in Australian tropical rivers: changes with agricultural development and implications for receiving environments | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (23)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Nitrogen Processes Within Tropical Mangroves in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
(PDF) Nitrogen Processes Within Tropical Mangroves in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen sources, attenuation, and management in subtropical coastal waterways - Cross Connect

View Source
Preview of 2024 water quality report | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
2024 water quality report | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

2024 water quality report | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Australian Savanna Biome, accessed May 17, 2025,
Australian Savanna Biome, accessed May 17, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Tropical Savannas of Northern Australia - Charles Darwin University, accessed July 23, 2025

View Source
Preview of Carpentaria tropical savanna - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Carpentaria tropical savanna - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Carpentaria tropical savanna - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2015 REPORT CARD WATER ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2015 REPORT CARD WATER ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2015 REPORT CARD WATER ..., accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2016 REPORT CARD WATER QUALITY SUPPLEMENT - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2016 REPORT CARD WATER QUALITY SUPPLEMENT - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2016 REPORT CARD WATER QUALITY SUPPLEMENT - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Darwin Harbour water and sediment quality - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Darwin Harbour water and sediment quality - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support

Darwin Harbour water and sediment quality - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Darwin Harbour water quality | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science
Darwin Harbour water quality | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science
Contextual Support Government

Darwin Harbour water quality | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science

View Source
Preview of Darwin Harbour water quality and ecosystem structure in a tropical harbour in the early stages of urban development - CDU Research Webportal, accessed July 25, 2025,
Darwin Harbour water quality and ecosystem structure in a tropical harbour in the early stages of urban development - CDU Research Webportal, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Darwin Harbour: Water Quality and Ecosystem Structure on a Tropical Harbour in the Early Stages of Urban Development - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Darwin Harbour: Water Quality and Ecosystem Structure on a Tropical Harbour in the Early Stages of Urban Development - ResearchGate
Darwin Harbour: Water Quality and Ecosystem Structure on a Tropical Harbour in the Early Stages of Urban Development - ResearchGate
Contextual Support Journal

Darwin Harbour: Water Quality and Ecosystem Structure on a Tropical Harbour in the Early Stages of Urban Development - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of Environmental challenges in a near-pristine mangrove estuary facing rapid urban and industrial development: Darwin Harbour, Northern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Environmental challenges in a near-pristine mangrove estuary facing rapid urban and industrial development: Darwin Harbour, Northern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support

Environmental challenges in a near-pristine mangrove estuary facing rapid urban and industrial development: Darwin Harbour, Northern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
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
Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source
Preview of IDEAS FOR THE GREATER DARWIN REGION - CRC for Water ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
IDEAS FOR THE GREATER DARWIN REGION - CRC for Water ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ..., accessed July 25, 2025

View Source
Preview of Measuring ecosystem function in Darwin Harbour sediment using microbial nitrogen cycling genes, accessed July 25, 2025,
Measuring ecosystem function in Darwin Harbour sediment using microbial nitrogen cycling genes, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Measuring ecosystem function in Darwin Harbour sediment using microbial nitrogen cycling genes, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen sources, attenuation, and management in subtropical coastal waterways - Cross Connect, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nitrogen sources, attenuation, and management in subtropical coastal waterways - Cross Connect, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support

Nitrogen sources, attenuation, and management in subtropical coastal waterways - Cross Connect, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Number of species and genera of corals in the Darwin region compared with eastern and western Australia. - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Number of species and genera of corals in the Darwin region compared with eastern and western Australia. - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support

Number of species and genera of corals in the Darwin region compared with eastern and western Australia. - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Nutrient dynamics transfer and retention along the aquatic continuum from land to ocean Towards integration of ecological and biogeochemical models - BG, accessed July 25, 2025,
Nutrient dynamics transfer and retention along the aquatic continuum from land to ocean Towards integration of ecological and biogeochemical models - BG, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Nutrient dynamics transfer and retention along the aquatic continuum from land to ocean Towards integration of ecological and biogeochemical models - BG, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of prod-media.coolaustralia.org, accessed May 17, 2025,
prod-media.coolaustralia.org, accessed May 17, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Entirely happy to burn Northern Australian savannas: Fire law and ..., accessed May 17, 2025

View Source
Preview of Rapid Creek Report Card, accessed July 25, 2025,
Rapid Creek Report Card, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Rapid Creek Report Card, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ..., accessed August 8, 2025
Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ..., accessed August 8, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Nitrate in freshwater, toxicant default guideline values for protecting aquatic ecosystems

View Source
Preview of Tropical savannas | EBSCO Research Starters, accessed July 25, 2025,
Tropical savannas | EBSCO Research Starters, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Tropical savannas | EBSCO Research Starters, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Victoria Plains Tropical Savanna | One Earth, accessed July 25, 2025,
Victoria Plains Tropical Savanna | One Earth, accessed July 25, 2025,
Irrelevant

Victoria Plains Tropical Savanna | One Earth, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of www.rrrc.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
www.rrrc.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status (Technical Report No. 62, Australian Rainforest CRC, 2006)

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Urban & Developed Use
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

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

Notes

Sustained nitrate concentrations within this range indicate a system in a state of high ecological health; concentrations above this range indicate increasing anthropogenic influence. No upper detrimental threshold — higher values are always worse. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-URB-WNI family.

0.002 mg/L Moderate
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1