Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

No specific value — see range
Range: 22 to 146 µS/cm
Optimal Range: 22 to 146
Direction: Higher is desirable ↑
Form: OptimalRange

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 9 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 8 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

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

Evidence & Context

Therefore, the observed range of electrical conductivity in surface waters representing a high state of ecological health in this biome is 22–146 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) is a measure of water's ability to conduct an electrical current, serving as a proxy for total dissolved solids concentration.

Benchmark Definition:

Range of electrical conductivity values observed at minimally disturbed reference sites representing high ecological health in Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains conservation areas.

Justification:

Derived from empirical field measurements at reference sites within the target biome, linked directly to biological health indicators.

Sources (1)

Preview of The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate
The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate Journal

The Relationship between Electrical Conductivity and Selected Macroinvertebrate Communities in Four River Systems of South-West Victoria, Australia - ResearchGate

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,
Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence

Validating species sensitivity distributions using salinity tolerance of riverine macroinvertebrates in the southern Murray–Darling Basin (Victoria, Australia) - Canadian Science Publishing

View Source
Preview of Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed
Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed
Contextual Support Journal

Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 25 Mar 2026

Notes

This range represents the best available natural condition and is more precise than broader regional guidelines.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-WEC family.

22 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
300 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
MinimumOnly Active v1
250 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1