Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)
Benchmark Value
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 6 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 5 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
The lower bound of the benchmark range, 20 µS/cm, represents a functional limit for maintaining optimal community structure.
Lower functional limit of Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) below which some macroinvertebrate taxa experience physiological stress
This benchmark defines the lower electrical conductivity limit in freshwater streams below which some aquatic taxa experience physiological stress in tropical and subtropical rainforest conservation areas.
Experimental evidence indicates that some macroinvertebrate taxa experience physiological stress and reduced performance in waters with EC below approximately 25 µS/cm due to the energetic costs of osmoregulation.
Sources (1)
Effects of total dissolved solids on growth and mortality predict ...
View SourceSupporting Sources (4)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in ...
View SourceEcology of streams in a biogeographic isolate—the Queensland Wet ...
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Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC/ARMCANZ)
View SourceEnvironmental Protection (Water and Wetland Biodiversity) Policy 2019 | Environment
View Source