Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

350 μS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 350

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MinimumOnly

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 15 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 14 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard Point Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Values exceeding the regional upland river guideline of 350 ³S/cm signify significant disturbance.

Metric Definition:

Upper trigger value for electrical conductivity indicating potential ecological risk.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the regulatory upper trigger value for water electrical conductivity indicating potential ecological risk and significant disturbance in Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests under Agricultural Crop Production.

Justification:

This value is based on the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality for upland rivers.

Sources (1)

Preview of Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet Tropics, Australia | Freshwater Science: Vol 34, No 2, accessed July 22, 2025,

Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet Tropics, Australia | Freshwater Science: Vol 34, No 2, accessed July 22, 2025, Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC/ARMCANZ)

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

Direct Evidence Journal

Johnstone River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Agricultural Crop Production
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type RegulatoryTrigger

Lifecycle

Status Superseded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

Notes

Exceeding this value indicates a potential risk and prompts further investigation.

Related Benchmarks

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