Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-AQU-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

30 µS/cm

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

Tier 1 (High Conservation Value): < 30 00μS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Water electrical conductivity (EC)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the maximum water electrical conductivity (EC) for high conservation value alpine aquatic sites, representing pristine reference conditions with negligible ecological risk.

Justification:

Aligns with measured pristine baseline (~26.5 00μS/cm), macroinvertebrate HC05 (29 00μS/cm), and Galaxias habitat requirements (<20 00μS/cm).

Sources (6)

Preview of (PDF) Climate change impacts on Australia's alpine ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed on May 28, 2025,

(PDF) Climate change impacts on Australia's alpine ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed on May 28, 2025, GreyLiterature

(PDF) Climate change impacts on Australia's alpine ecosystems - ResearchGate, accessed August 5, 2025

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, GreyLiterature

Namoi River Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government

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Macroinvertebrate Responses to Conductivity in Different Bioregions of Victoria, Australia Journal

Macroinvertebrate Responses to Conductivity in Different Bioregions of Victoria, Australia

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National Recovery Plan for the Barred Galaxias - Galaxias fuscus - DCCEEW Journal

National Recovery Plan for the Barred Galaxias - Galaxias fuscus - DCCEEW

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The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ...

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ...

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www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

The Australian Alps Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed on May 27, 2025,

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 2 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents a pristine, reference condition with negligible ecological risk.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-ASC-AQU-WEC family.