Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TMS-AQU-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range

Range: 30 to 800 μS/cm

Optimal Range: 30 to 800

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 3 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 2 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Optimal Range: An EC range of 30 – 800 μS/cm is considered optimal for maintaining high ecological health, avoiding both ion-poor stress and the onset of salinization.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) as a measure of total dissolved salts in freshwater systems.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark defines the optimal range of electrical conductivity that supports healthy freshwater ecosystems by avoiding both ion-poor stress and salinization in tropical monsoonal savanna aquaculture.

Justification:

This range synthesizes the lower and upper boundaries to define a functional range for sustainable freshwater aquaculture.

Sources (2)

A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's ... - DCCEEW Government

A Compendium of Ecological Information on Australia's ... - DCCEEW

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Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025, Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source

Supporting Sources (1)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type HealthyOperationalRange

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Operating within this range ensures water is physiologically supportive and reflective of a high-quality, non-degraded natural ecosystem.

Related Benchmarks

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