Water Nitrate

AUS-TMS-LVG-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

0.05 mg/L
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 0.05
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

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 10 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 9 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Persistent nitrate concentrations exceeding the natural background range of tropical savanna streams (e.g., > approximately 0.05 mg/L NO3-N) indicate anthropogenic influence and a shift away from the "best available condition."

Metric Definition:

Nitrate-N concentration in water indicating departure from natural pristine condition and early enrichment.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the nitrate concentration threshold above which anthropogenic influence and ecological degradation begin in tropical savanna streams.

Justification:

This threshold is based on observed departures from natural pristine conditions and early signs of nutrient enrichment.

Sources (1)

Preview of environment.nt.gov.au, accessed May 11, 2025,
environment.nt.gov.au, accessed May 11, 2025, Journal

Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

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Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed August 8, 2025
The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed August 8, 2025
Direct Evidence Journal

Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ...

View Source
Preview of Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
Direct Evidence Journal

Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

View Source
Preview of www.rrrc.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
www.rrrc.org.au, accessed May 15, 2025,
Direct Evidence Journal

Sediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status (Technical Report No. 62, Australian Rainforest CRC, 2006)

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical Monsoonal Savannas
  • Land Use Livestock Grazing & Pasture
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Exceeding this level signifies a compromised state relative to the best available condition.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TMS-LVG-WNI family.

11.3 mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Active v3
0.019 mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
Point Active v1
— mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
— mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Conservation Target
OptimalRange Active v1
2.4 mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v2