Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-LVG-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

106 μS/cm

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 CompositeFramework, 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.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

This value represents the 80th percentile for surface freshwaters in the Tully, Murray, and Hinchinbrook basins, derived from local reference data reflecting minimally disturbed conditions in the Wet Tropics rainforest biome.

Metric Definition:

Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) in freshwater streams

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the electrical conductivity level typical of minimally disturbed freshwater streams in the Wet Tropics rainforest biome, serving as a reference for well-managed grazing lands to maintain natural water quality.

Justification:

The reference value of 106 μS/cm is derived from the Queensland Government's legally defined Water Quality Objectives for surface freshwaters in the Tully, Murray, and Hinchinbrook Island River Basins, based on extensive local monitoring data from minimally disturbed conditions.

Sources (1)

Preview of Tully River, Murray River and Hinchinbrook Island Basins Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives

Tully River, Murray River and Hinchinbrook Island Basins Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives Journal

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019: Tully, Murray and Hinchinbrook Island River Basins Environmental Values and Water Quality Objectives

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) A review of the salt sensitivity of the Australian freshwater biota, accessed August 11, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Salinity Tolerances of Freshwater Macroinvertebrates

View Source

Accessory Publication Relative salinity tolerance of macroinvertebrates from the Barwon River, Victoria, Australia

Direct Evidence Journal

Pine Creek, near Dutton 2010 Aquatic Ecosystem Condition Report - EPA SA

View Source

Preview of Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

Effect of reduced grazing pressure on sediment and nutrient yields in savanna rangeland streams draining to the Great Barrier Reef - CSIRO Research Publications Repository

Direct Evidence Journal

(PDF) A review of the salt sensitivity of the Australian freshwater biota

View Source

Sub-lethal and chronic salinity tolerances of three freshwater insects ...

Contextual Support Journal

Sub-lethal and chronic salinity tolerances of three freshwater insects ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
Assessment Not Stated
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Superseded
Version 1
Effective From 5 Jun 2026
Effective To 5 Jun 2026

Notes

The optimal range is the natural variability observed in reference sites (47-106 μS/cm, representing the 20th-80th percentiles). An upper detrimental threshold is evident around 750-900 μS/cm, where chronic sub-lethal effects on sensitive bio-indicators begin. Lower values indicate higher quality in these naturally dilute systems. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TSR-LVG-WEC family.