Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

22 µS/cm

Thresholds: Lower: 22, Upper: —

Direction: Higher is desirable ↑

Form: LowerThreshold

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

The benchmark range itself, starting at 22 µS/cm, demonstrates that healthy ecosystems thrive in very low-conductivity water.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) in freshwater systems.

Benchmark Definition:

Lower critical threshold of electrical conductivity below which freshwater life is not detrimentally affected in Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains conservation areas.

Justification:

No evidence supports a direct detrimental effect below this value; healthy ecosystems exist at or above this level.

Sources (1)

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

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

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 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

Direct Evidence Journal

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

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

Very low EC can increase toxicity of pollutants but is not directly harmful itself. No direct lower critical threshold supported by literature.

Related Benchmarks

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