Water Nitrate

AUS-TGP-URB-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.444 mg/L
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. 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 default guideline trigger value for nitrate-nitrite nitrogen is 0.444 mg/L, indicating a departure from the reference condition of a minimally disturbed system and flags a potential risk.

Metric Definition:

Nitrate-nitrite nitrogen concentration as an early warning trigger for ecological impact in lowland rivers.

Benchmark Definition:

Early warning nitrate concentration threshold indicating potential ecological risk.

Justification:

Based on ANZECC 2000 guidelines for South-east Australian lowland rivers.

Sources (1)

Preview of Current understanding of the eutrophication process in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,
Current understanding of the eutrophication process in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025, GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025,
Catchment Health Indicator Program Report 2021 - Upper Murrumbidgee Waterwatch, accessed August 12, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000) Guidelines

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Urban & Developed Use
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 3 Jun 2026
  • Effective To 3 Jun 2026

Notes

This value represents a sensitive threshold for any deviation from minimally disturbed conditions. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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

1 mg/L High
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v3
0.444 mg/L High
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
Point Active v1
2.6 mg/L Moderate
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Rejected v1
1 mg/L Moderate
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Superseded v1
2.6 mg/L Moderate
Urban & Developed Use · Not Stated
MinimumOnly Rejected v1