Water Nitrate

AUS-TMS-LVG-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

2.4 mg/L
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 2.4
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

The ANZG DGV for 95% species protection against direct toxicity is 2.4 mg/L NO3-N.

Metric Definition:

Nitrate-N concentration in water for 95% species protection against direct toxicity.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark is the default guideline value for nitrate toxicity protecting 95% of freshwater species in Australian and New Zealand waters.

Justification:

This regulatory guideline is based on species protection levels in Australian and New Zealand waters.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (3)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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

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

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 RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

  • Status Superseded
  • Version 2
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026
  • Effective To 25 Mar 2026

Notes

Exceeding this level indicates significant risk to aquatic biodiversity.

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
0.05 mg/L Moderate
Livestock Grazing & Pasture · Pristine Reference
MaximumOnly Superseded v1