Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-AGR-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 μS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 1500

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

Levels above 1500 ³S/cm are associated with broad-scale adverse effects on Australian freshwater biota.

Metric Definition:

Electrical conductivity level associated with broad-scale adverse biological effects.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks the threshold for severe ecological degradation due to high water electrical conductivity in Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests under Agricultural Crop Production.

Justification:

Research indicates significant adverse effects on aquatic biota above this level.

Sources (1)

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

Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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,

Direct Evidence Journal

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

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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 2
Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This value marks the onset of broad-scale ecological harm in freshwater biota.

Related Benchmarks

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