Water Nitrate

AUS-TMI-AQU-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.07 mg/L
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: Point

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, 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.

Evidence & Context

In minimally disturbed offshore waters, the average Total Dissolved Nitrogen (TDN) is approximately 5.0 µmol/L, which converts to 0.07 mg/L.

Metric Definition:

Total Dissolved Nitrogen (TDN)

Benchmark Definition:

Natural background concentration of Total Dissolved Nitrogen in minimally disturbed offshore waters.

Justification:

Represents the 'best available natural condition' that a sustainably managed landscape should aim to preserve.

Sources (1)

Preview of Water quality of the Great Barrier Reef: spatial and seasonal patterns | eAtlas, accessed August 1, 2025
Water quality of the Great Barrier Reef: spatial and seasonal patterns | eAtlas, accessed August 1, 2025 GreyLiterature

Water quality of the Great Barrier Reef: spatial and seasonal patterns | eAtlas, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Supporting Sources (40)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): a potential strategic choice for farmers, accessed August 1, 2025
(PDF) Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): a potential strategic choice for farmers, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian aquaculture sector Submission 20, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of (PDF) Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System (IMTA) - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
(PDF) Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture System (IMTA) - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture: A Laboratory and Hands-on Experimental Activity to Promote Environmental Sustainability Awareness and Value of Aquaculture Products - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of 5.7 Nitrates | Monitoring & Assessment | US EPA, accessed August 1, 2025
5.7 Nitrates | Monitoring & Assessment | US EPA, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Determining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Aquaculture - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025
Aquaculture - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Aquaculture - CSIRO, accessed July 25, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian aquaculture sector Submission 20, accessed August 1, 2025
Australian aquaculture sector Submission 20, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Australian aquaculture sector Submission 20, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Black tiger prawn aquaculture | Business Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025
Black tiger prawn aquaculture | Business Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Freshwater aquaculture | Business Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Can IMTA System Improve the Productivity and Quality Traits of Aquatic Organisms Produced at Different Trophic Levels? The Benefits of IMTA—Not Only for the Ecosystem - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): a potential strategic choice for farmers, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Circularity Assessment in Aquaculture: The Case of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Systems - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Circularity Assessment in Aquaculture: The Case of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA) Systems - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture systems incorporating abalone and seaweeds - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Wetlands for Nitrogen Removal in Tropical and Subtropical Australia - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Wetlands for Nitrogen Removal in Tropical and Subtropical Australia - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Cost-Effectiveness of Treatment Wetlands for Nitrogen Removal in Tropical and Subtropical Australia - MDPI, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 1, 2025
Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Monitoring wetland water quality related to livestock grazing in amphibian habitats - PMC, accessed July 25, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Determining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025
Determining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Determining safe levels of ammonia and nitrite for shrimp culture - Global Seafood Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Dissolved nutrients - 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed August 1, 2025
Dissolved nutrients - 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support

Dissolved nutrients - 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025
Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Eutrophication and Water quality - Global Coral Reef Alliance, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025
Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status, accessed July 18, 2025

View Source
Preview of farming in Queensland – worlds best practice The environmental management of prawn, accessed August 1, 2025
farming in Queensland – worlds best practice The environmental management of prawn, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Parliament of Australia House of Representatives Committee Inquiry into the Role of Science for fisheries and Aquaculture Submission from Australian Prawn Farmers Association, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Feasibility study for integrated multitrophic aquaculture in southern Australia - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025
Feasibility study for integrated multitrophic aquaculture in southern Australia - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support

Feasibility study for integrated multitrophic aquaculture in southern Australia - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Freshwater aquaculture | Business Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025
Freshwater aquaculture | Business Queensland, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Nutrition and Feeding for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Third Millennium, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Full article: Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture through Nutrient Recycling and Circular Economies: More Fish, Less Waste, Blue Growth - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed August 1, 2025
Full article: Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture through Nutrient Recycling and Circular Economies: More Fish, Less Waste, Blue Growth - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Full article: Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture through Nutrient Recycling and Circular Economies: More Fish, Less Waste, Blue Growth - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)-A Sustainable Approach for Better Resource Utilization - Longdom Publishing, accessed August 1, 2025
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA)-A Sustainable Approach for Better Resource Utilization - Longdom Publishing, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture Systems (IMTA)-A Sustainable Approach for Better Resource Utilization - Longdom Publishing, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Strategic model for sustainable mariculture in Samanco Bay, Peru - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Strategic model for sustainable mariculture in Samanco Bay, Peru - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Strategic model for sustainable mariculture in Samanco Bay, Peru - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture systems incorporating abalone and seaweeds - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture systems incorporating abalone and seaweeds - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support

Feasibility study for integrated multitrophic aquaculture in southern Australia - Fisheries Research and Development Corporation, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture: A Laboratory and Hands-on Experimental Activity to Promote Environmental Sustainability Awareness and Value of Aquaculture Products - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025
Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture: A Laboratory and Hands-on Experimental Activity to Promote Environmental Sustainability Awareness and Value of Aquaculture Products - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA): Strategic model for sustainable mariculture in Samanco Bay, Peru - Frontiers, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of July 2019 to June 2020 - Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Action Report, accessed August 1, 2025
July 2019 to June 2020 - Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Action Report, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Latest Great Barrier Reef water quality Scientific Consensus Statement released - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025
Latest Great Barrier Reef water quality Scientific Consensus Statement released - CSIRO, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

5.7 Nitrates | Monitoring & Assessment | US EPA, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Meta-organism gene expression reveals that the impact of nitrate enrichment on coral larvae is mediated by their associated Symbiodiniaceae and prokaryotic assemblages - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025
Meta-organism gene expression reveals that the impact of nitrate enrichment on coral larvae is mediated by their associated Symbiodiniaceae and prokaryotic assemblages - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Meta-organism gene expression reveals that the impact of nitrate enrichment on coral larvae is mediated by their associated Symbiodiniaceae and prokaryotic assemblages - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Nitrification mainly driven by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in an anammox-inoculated wastewater treatment system, accessed August 1, 2025
Nitrification mainly driven by ammonia-oxidizing bacteria and nitrite-oxidizing bacteria in an anammox-inoculated wastewater treatment system, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

July 2019 to June 2020 - Reef 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan Action Report, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen as the limiting nutrient for eutrophication in coastal marine ecosystems - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed August 1, 2025
Nitrogen as the limiting nutrient for eutrophication in coastal marine ecosystems - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support

Dissolved nutrients - 2022 Scientific Consensus Statement, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen budget and effluent nitrogen components at an intensive shrimp farm | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Nitrogen budget and effluent nitrogen components at an intensive shrimp farm | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Methodology Source Journal

Nitrogen a limiting factor in aquaculture production - Responsible Seafood Advocate, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen processing by treatment wetlands in a tropical catchment dominated by agricultural landuse | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Nitrogen processing by treatment wetlands in a tropical catchment dominated by agricultural landuse | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Direct Evidence Methodology Source Journal

Nitrogen processing by treatment wetlands in a tropical catchment dominated by agricultural landuse | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Eutrophication in the Coastal Marine Environment - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Nitrogen, Phosphorus, and Eutrophication in the Coastal Marine Environment - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Nitrogen as the limiting nutrient for eutrophication in coastal marine ecosystems - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nutrient Impacts of Finfish Aquaculture - NOAA Fisheries, accessed August 1, 2025
Nutrient Impacts of Finfish Aquaculture - NOAA Fisheries, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Nutrient Impacts of Finfish Aquaculture - NOAA Fisheries, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Nutrition and Feeding for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Third Millennium, accessed August 1, 2025
Nutrition and Feeding for Sustainable Aquaculture Development in the Third Millennium, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Reef water quality: Why floods and cyclones cause pollution levels to spike, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Parliament of Australia House of Representatives Committee Inquiry into the Role of Science for fisheries and Aquaculture Submission from Australian Prawn Farmers Association, accessed August 1, 2025
Parliament of Australia House of Representatives Committee Inquiry into the Role of Science for fisheries and Aquaculture Submission from Australian Prawn Farmers Association, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Wastewater remediation options for prawn farms, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Pollution & Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef - Australian Marine Conservation Society, accessed August 1, 2025
Pollution & Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef - Australian Marine Conservation Society, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Declining water quality - Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Reef water quality: Why floods and cyclones cause pollution levels to spike, accessed August 1, 2025
Reef water quality: Why floods and cyclones cause pollution levels to spike, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Evidence of Large-Scale Chronic Eutrophication in the Great Barrier Reef: Quantification of Chlorophyll a Thresholds for Sustaining Coral Reef Communities - PubMed Central, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Review of Nutrient Release from Aquaculture ... - Griffith University, accessed August 1, 2025
Review of Nutrient Release from Aquaculture ... - Griffith University, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Direct Evidence Journal

Review of Nutrient Release from Aquaculture Activities Final Report - Griffith University

View Source
Preview of Revitalising the Great Barrier Reef's water quality - KISTERS, accessed August 1, 2025
Revitalising the Great Barrier Reef's water quality - KISTERS, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Irrelevant

Pollution & Water Quality in the Great Barrier Reef - Australian Marine Conservation Society, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Seaweed Biofilters for Water Quality Improvement and Reef Protection - CQUniversity, accessed August 1, 2025
Seaweed Biofilters for Water Quality Improvement and Reef Protection - CQUniversity, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support

Seaweed Biofilters for Water Quality Improvement and Reef Protection - CQUniversity, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Wastewater remediation options for prawn farms, accessed August 1, 2025
Wastewater remediation options for prawn farms, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Enhancing Nitrate Removal from Freshwater Pond by Regulating Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio - Frontiers, accessed July 24, 2025,

View Source
Preview of What is eutrophication? - NOAA's National Ocean Service, accessed August 1, 2025
What is eutrophication? - NOAA's National Ocean Service, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Full article: Sustainable Intensification of Aquaculture through Nutrient Recycling and Circular Economies: More Fish, Less Waste, Blue Growth - Taylor & Francis Online, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Aquaculture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 28 May 2026
  • Effective To 28 May 2026

Notes

This value represents the natural background condition of the receiving environment.