Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Benchmark Value
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.
Evidence & Context
Based on established guidelines and empirical data from reference catchments in the Australian Alps, a reference EC value of < 30 µS/cm is proposed. More specifically, a range reflecting observed natural background levels in minimally disturbed streams, such as 2.9 – 26.5 µS/cm, represents the target for high environmental health.
Water electrical conductivity (EC) in surface waters of the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex under best-practice sustainable or regenerative agricultural crop production.
Water electrical conductivity (EC) benchmark representing the best available condition under sustainable agricultural crop production in the Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complex.
The benchmark is an ecologically sound inference based on pristine or minimally disturbed alpine catchments and regional water quality guidelines, despite the absence of direct empirical data from agricultural crop production sites in this biome.
Sources (1)
NSW Alpine Resorts Environmental Performance Report 2020–21
View SourceSupporting Sources (2)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Water Quality Australia
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Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority
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