Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-LVG-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 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

A seminal review of salt sensitivity in Australian freshwater biota concluded that direct adverse biological effects are likely to occur in river and wetland ecosystems as salinity approaches 1,500 μS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) level at which widespread adverse effects and significant shifts in aquatic community composition occur

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the electrical conductivity level at which significant ecological degradation and community shifts occur in freshwater ecosystems.

Justification:

Based on a review of salt sensitivity in Australian freshwater biota indicating major community shifts at this EC level.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

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

Contextual Support Journal

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

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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

Represents a level where the ecosystem is considered significantly degraded. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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