Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TSR-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 µS/cm

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

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 Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A significant detrimental threshold for Australian freshwater ecosystems is widely established at approximately 1500 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental threshold of Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) indicating severe ecological degradation

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the upper electrical conductivity level in freshwater ecosystems above which severe ecological degradation and loss of species diversity occur in tropical and subtropical rainforest conservation areas.

Justification:

This threshold is supported by seminal reviews and research indicating direct adverse biological effects at this level.

Sources (1)

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in ... Journal

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in ...

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Barron River Basin Environmental Values and Water Quality ..., accessed July 21, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict ...

View Source

Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet ...

Contextual Support Journal

Ecology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet ...

View Source

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

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment, accessed July 27, 2025,

Regulatory Framework Government

Environmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Tropical & Subtropical Rainforests
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Conservation Target
Vegetation Forest
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

Levels approaching 1500 µS/cm signify severe degradation and major adverse biological effects, including loss of species diversity and disruption of critical life-cycle processes.

Related Benchmarks

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