Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-LVG-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

900 μS/cm

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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

More detailed laboratory research on Australian mayfly species found that chronic, sub-lethal effects and mortality begin to occur at EC levels as low as 900 μS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) level at which chronic, sub-lethal effects and mortality begin

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark indicates the electrical conductivity level at which chronic sub-lethal effects and mortality begin in sensitive aquatic fauna.

Justification:

Based on laboratory research on Australian mayfly species indicating mortality onset at this EC level.

Sources (1)

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

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

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

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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

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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

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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

View Source

Context

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

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 5 Jun 2026

Notes

Indicates the onset of chronic, sub-lethal stress and mortality in sensitive aquatic fauna. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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