Water Nitrate

AUS-TMI-AGR-WNI General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: CompositeFramework

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.

Evidence & Context

the most credible and scientifically defensible benchmark for the "best available condition" is not a single number, but the defined reference condition itself: the 80th percentile of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) concentrations measured in the non-contaminated marine reference sites of Norfolk Island under baseline (dry weather) conditions.

Metric Definition:

Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx, which is the sum of nitrate and nitrite)

Benchmark Definition:

The 80th percentile of Oxides of Nitrogen (NOx) concentrations measured in non-contaminated marine reference sites on Norfolk Island under baseline (dry weather) conditions.

Justification:

This benchmark is a proxy representing the best available condition, as no direct water quality data from best-practice agricultural sites in this specific biome could be located. It is derived from a comprehensive, multi-year CSIRO study on Norfolk Island that established Site-Specific Guideline Values (SSGVs) based on data from four pristine marine reference sites, following ANZECC/ANZG protocols.

Sources (1)

Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment: Marine Water Quality – Year 1 of water quality monitoring and interim site-specific guideline values
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment: Marine Water Quality – Year 1 of water quality monitoring and interim site-specific guideline values
View Source

Supporting Sources (45)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Nitrate in groundwaters of intensive agricultural areas in coastal Northeastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025,
(PDF) Nitrate in groundwaters of intensive agricultural areas in coastal Northeastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 24, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

(PDF) Nitrate in groundwaters of intensive agricultural areas in coastal Northeastern Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Regulatory Framework GreyLiterature

Namoi River Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government

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Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Land Management Practices - Farmers for Climate Action, accessed July 30, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Sustainability & Organics on Norfolk Island - YouTube, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT - Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025
AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT - Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT - Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
AGRICULTURAL AUDIT & LAND USE CAPABILITY ASSESSMENT ..., accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

VEGETATION 0}' LORD HOWE ISLAND - Botanic Gardens of Sydney

View Source
Preview of Altered water flows and quality | Wet Tropics Management Authority, accessed July 18, 2025,
Altered water flows and quality | Wet Tropics Management Authority, accessed July 18, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Release of water quality report for Norfolk Island, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australia – Sub-tropical – temperate - Earthdive, accessed July 25, 2025,
Australia – Sub-tropical – temperate - Earthdive, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Australia – Sub-tropical – temperate - Earthdive

View Source
Preview of CSIRO Research Publications Repository - Home Page, accessed August 4, 2025,
CSIRO Research Publications Repository - Home Page, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

The state of play on Norfolk Island's reef, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Developing a reef water quality management plan — case study, accessed August 3, 2025,
Developing a reef water quality management plan — case study, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Altered water flows and quality | Wet Tropics Management Authority, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Developing a reef water quality management plan — case study, accessed July 27, 2025
Developing a reef water quality management plan — case study, accessed July 27, 2025
Methodology Source Journal

Climate Change Risk Assessment for the Australian Indian Ocean Territories - Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed August 4, 2025,
Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Managing urban and non-agricultural run-off to the Reef ..., accessed August 2, 2025

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Preview of Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed July 27, 2025
Diving deeper into nutrient pathways to help protect Lord Howe Island's marine haven, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Nutrient Hydrogeochemistry of Lord Howe Island | Hydrology and Water Resources Symposium 1996 - Informit, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of EWG Tap Water Database | EWG Review of Nitrate in Tap Water, accessed July 27, 2025
EWG Tap Water Database | EWG Review of Nitrate in Tap Water, accessed July 27, 2025
Irrelevant

EWG Tap Water Database | EWG Review of Nitrate in Tap Water, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of FiPL spotlight: improving nutrient use and reducing nitrate and phosphate pollution in the Broads - DEFRA Farming Blog, accessed July 27, 2025
FiPL spotlight: improving nutrient use and reducing nitrate and phosphate pollution in the Broads - DEFRA Farming Blog, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

FiPL spotlight: improving nutrient use and reducing nitrate and phosphate pollution in the Broads - DEFRA Farming Blog, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Green Space Tech - PRL Group, accessed July 27, 2025
Green Space Tech - PRL Group, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support

Investing In The Future Of Food – Hidden Garden Sustainable Farm, Christmas Island, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Hydrology - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Hydrology - DCCEEW, accessed August 2, 2025,
Methodology Source

The freshwater lens on Home Island in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of Innovative Agricultural Trials in Indian Ocean Territories | business ..., accessed July 27, 2025
Innovative Agricultural Trials in Indian Ocean Territories | business ..., accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support

Life on Christmas Island: Turning mining sites into farmland | SBS News, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment
Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment
Contextual Support Journal

Invasive Species 2021 | NSW State of the Environment

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Preview of Investigating the potential for groundwater from different vegetation, soil and landuses to stimulate blooms of the cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula, in coastal waters - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
Investigating the potential for groundwater from different vegetation, soil and landuses to stimulate blooms of the cyanobacterium, Lyngbya majuscula, in coastal waters - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research
Direct Evidence Journal

Taking stock. Which way from here? - Norfolk Island's Reef, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Lord Howe Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Lord Howe Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Lord Howe Island - Wikipedia

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Preview of Lord Howe Island Weed Management Strategy 2016 – 2025, accessed July 27, 2025
Lord Howe Island Weed Management Strategy 2016 – 2025, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Sustainable Horticulture Project | TSRA - Torres Strait Regional Authority, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Management implications for Lord Howe Island Groundwater Quality - USC Research Bank, accessed August 4, 2025,
Management implications for Lord Howe Island Groundwater Quality - USC Research Bank, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Torres Strait Indigenous Protected Areas (IPA's) - North West Atlas, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Norfolk Island - Wikipedia, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

Norfolk Island - Wikipedia

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed August 3, 2025,
Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed August 3, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Land Use Impacts on Coral Reef Health: A Ridge-to-Reef Perspective - Frontiers

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed July 27, 2025
Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Norfolk Island Environmental Assessment Executive Summary, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health Assessment 2020-2021 - Australian Marine Parks, accessed July 27, 2025
Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health Assessment 2020-2021 - Australian Marine Parks, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Norfolk Island Lagoonal Reef Ecosystem Health Assessment 2020-2021 - Australian Marine Parks, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Marine Water Quality Monitoring Data 2022-2024 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Marine Water Quality Monitoring Data 2022-2024 - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Norfolk Island Water Quality Assessment - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed August 4, 2025

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment - CSIRO, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Common soil types | Environment, land and water - Queensland Government, accessed July 30, 2025

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Preview of Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of ..., accessed August 4, 2025,
Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of ..., accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Norfolk Island Water Resource Assessment project | Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, Sport and the Arts

View Source
Preview of Norfolk Marine Park managers' update - Reporting on Emily and Slaughter Bay Reef health, accessed July 27, 2025
Norfolk Marine Park managers' update - Reporting on Emily and Slaughter Bay Reef health, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Norfolk Marine Park managers' update - Reporting on Emily and Slaughter Bay Reef health, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Sustainability - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025
Sustainability - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Sustainability - Lord Howe Island, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Background to Water & Wastewater Management on Norfolk Island, accessed July 27, 2025
The Background to Water & Wastewater Management on Norfolk Island, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

The Background to Water & Wastewater Management on Norfolk Island, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of The most beautiful Australian islands - Tourism Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
The most beautiful Australian islands - Tourism Australia, accessed August 2, 2025,
Contextual Support

The most beautiful Australian islands - Tourism Australia, accessed August 4, 2025,

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Preview of These 21 Beautiful Tropical Islands Are Closer Than You Think | Travel Insider - Qantas, accessed August 3, 2025
These 21 Beautiful Tropical Islands Are Closer Than You Think | Travel Insider - Qantas, accessed August 3, 2025
Contextual Support

These 21 Beautiful Tropical Islands Are Closer Than You Think | Travel Insider - Qantas, accessed August 4, 2025,

View Source
Preview of TSRA Groundwater Monitoring: Final Report 2022, accessed July 27, 2025
TSRA Groundwater Monitoring: Final Report 2022, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

TSRA Groundwater Monitoring: Final Report 2022, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of Waste water | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed July 27, 2025
Waste water | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Waste water | Lord Howe Island Board - NSW Government, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of Water Quality – how healthy is the sea in Torres Strait, and what are the risks? - eAtlas, accessed August 4, 2025,
Water Quality – how healthy is the sea in Torres Strait, and what are the risks? - eAtlas, accessed August 4, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

Monitoring progress | Protecting the Great Barrier Reef, accessed August 4, 2025

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Preview of Water quality assessment for sustainable agriculture in the Wet Tropics: a community-assisted approach - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed August 5, 2025
Water quality assessment for sustainable agriculture in the Wet Tropics: a community-assisted approach - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed August 5, 2025
Contextual Support

Water quality assessment for sustainable agriculture in the Wet Tropics: a community-assisted approach - ResearchOnline@JCU

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Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,
Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 1, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Government

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source
Preview of WATER QUALITY IN THE KAVHA CATCHMENT - Norfolk Island ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
WATER QUALITY IN THE KAVHA CATCHMENT - Norfolk Island ..., accessed August 2, 2025,
Regulatory Framework Journal

Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water Quality Working Group | Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025
Water Quality Working Group | Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water Quality Working Group | Norfolk Island Regional Council, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of What is Sustainable Agriculture? - Rainforest Alliance, accessed July 25, 2025,
What is Sustainable Agriculture? - Rainforest Alliance, accessed July 25, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

What is Sustainable Agriculture? - Rainforest Alliance, accessed July 27, 2025

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Preview of Year 1 of water quality monitoring and interim site-specific guideline values. - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 27, 2025
Year 1 of water quality monitoring and interim site-specific guideline values. - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 27, 2025
Direct Evidence Government

Categories - marine water quality site-specific guideline values - CSIRO Data Access Portal, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Tropical & Subtropical Maritime Islands
  • Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Season dry weather
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 28 May 2026

Notes

The water quality at these reference sites reflects the integrated output from least-disturbed catchments and represents the upper limit of nutrient concentration consistent with a high-health ecosystem in this biome.