Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

300 µS/cm
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 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

An EC reading of 300 µS/cm in a conservation area stream ... is a clear signal that the system is under stress and has departed from its optimal condition.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) threshold indicating onset of ecological stress in conservation areas.

Benchmark Definition:

Threshold electrical conductivity value above which ecological stress begins in Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains conservation areas.

Justification:

Based on biological impacts observed in macroinvertebrate and diatom communities.

Sources (1)

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,

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

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Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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
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 DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

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

Notes

This value is below human-use guidelines and indicates early ecological degradation.

Related Benchmarks

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

— µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
22 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
LowerThreshold Active v1
250 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1