Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-AMR-IND-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

1500 µS/cm
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

Scoring curve unavailable

The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.

Contributing Benchmarks

CompositeFramework Primary MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard Point Guard OptimalRange Guard MaximumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

A comprehensive review concluded that aquatic biota will be adversely affected as salinity exceeds 1000 mg/L TDS, equivalent to approximately 1500 µS/cm EC.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity (EC) threshold above which adverse effects on aquatic biota occur.

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark marks a critical electrical conductivity threshold above which broad-scale negative impacts on aquatic biota are expected.

Justification:

Based on multiple studies documenting broad-scale negative impacts on biological communities above this level.

Sources (1)

Preview of (PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia
(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (26)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

View Source
Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 1, 2025
1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Geophysics foundations: Physical properties: Electrical resistivity of geologic materials - UBC EOAS, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of 1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,
1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Percentage compliance with ANZECC water quality trigger values for aquatic ecosystems, primary contact recreation and secondary

View Source
Preview of A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
A GUIDE TO THE APPLICATION OF THE ANZECC ... - ResearchGate, accessed August 11, 2025,
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Namoi River Water Quality Objectives explained - NSW Government

View Source
Preview of An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support

Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters — a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics

View Source
Preview of Aquatic ecosystems in post-mining landscapes: Technical paper, accessed August 1, 2025
Aquatic ecosystems in post-mining landscapes: Technical paper, accessed August 1, 2025
Methodology Source GreyLiterature

Aquatic ecosystems in post-mining landscapes: Technical paper, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Assessing discharges from a uranium mine 64 case study - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Assessing discharges from a uranium mine 64 case study - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Assessing discharges from a uranium mine 64 case study - Water Quality Australia, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source
Preview of Central Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan - EPA WA, accessed August 1, 2025
Central Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan - EPA WA, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Central Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan - EPA WA, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of environment.nt.gov.au, accessed May 11, 2025,
environment.nt.gov.au, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment

View Source
Preview of Environmental impacts of uranium mining in Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Environmental impacts of uranium mining in Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Environmental impacts of uranium mining in Australia, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters 64 a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed August 1, 2025
Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters 64 a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters 64 a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Guidelines for the management of water in mines and quarries - Resources Victoria, accessed July 24, 2025
Guidelines for the management of water in mines and quarries - Resources Victoria, accessed July 24, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Guidelines for the management of water in mines and quarries - Resources Victoria

View Source
Preview of Long 2Term Monitoring of Macroinvertebrate Communities Over 2,300 km of the Murray River Reveals Ecological Signs of Salinity, accessed August 1, 2025
Long 2Term Monitoring of Macroinvertebrate Communities Over 2,300 km of the Murray River Reveals Ecological Signs of Salinity, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Salinity as a major influence on groundwater microbial communities in agricultural landscapes - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Pilbara - BHP, accessed August 1, 2025
Pilbara - BHP, accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Government

Water - BHP, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Quantifying Health in Ephemeral Rivers - eWater, accessed July 20, 2025,
Quantifying Health in Ephemeral Rivers - eWater, accessed July 20, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Quantifying Health in Ephemeral Rivers - eWater

View Source
Preview of Revised Ranger Mine Water Quality Objectives for Magela Creek ..., accessed July 24, 2025
Revised Ranger Mine Water Quality Objectives for Magela Creek ..., accessed July 24, 2025
Direct Evidence Government

Regulatory Statement: Monitoring of Electrical Conductivity in the Beetaloo Sub 2basin, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of Revised Ranger Mine Water Quality Objectives for Magela Creek and Gulungul Creek
Revised Ranger Mine Water Quality Objectives for Magela Creek and Gulungul Creek
Direct Evidence

Revised Ranger Mine Water Quality Objectives for Magela Creek and Gulungul Creek

View Source
Preview of Snap happy: camera traps are an effective sampling tool when compared with alternative methods | Royal Society Open Science - Journals, accessed July 27, 2025
Snap happy: camera traps are an effective sampling tool when compared with alternative methods | Royal Society Open Science - Journals, accessed July 27, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

Wildlife Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING, accessed July 30, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Ecological and Hydrological Significance of Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams in the Arid and Semi-arid American Southwest - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Ecological and Hydrological Significance of Ephemeral and Intermittent Streams in the Arid and Semi-arid American Southwest - Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Contextual Support Journal

The Phosphorus Buffering Index – What Does it Mean for Your Soil? - Summit Fertilizers

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
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

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

View Source
Preview of understanding the new anzecc water quality guidelines - Environmetrics Australia, accessed May 11, 2025,
understanding the new anzecc water quality guidelines - Environmetrics Australia, accessed May 11, 2025,
Contextual Support

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000)

View Source
Preview of Water Data SA – Available Data - WaterConnect, accessed July 27, 2025,
Water Data SA – Available Data - WaterConnect, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Conservation Advice for the Karst springs and associated alkaline fens of the Naracoorte Coastal Plain Bioregion, accessed July 27, 2025

View Source
Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,
Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Seasonal changes in water quality and macrophytes and the ...

View Source
Preview of Water Quality Protection Guidelines No. 6 - Government of Western Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Water Quality Protection Guidelines No. 6 - Government of Western Australia, accessed August 1, 2025
Regulatory Framework Journal

Water Quality Protection Guidelines No. 6 - Government of Western Australia, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of WATER STEWARDSHIP - Leading Practice Sustainable ..., accessed August 1, 2025
WATER STEWARDSHIP - Leading Practice Sustainable ..., accessed August 1, 2025
Contextual Support Journal

14-Month Water Quality Investigation of Coal Mine Discharge on Two Rivers in NSW, Australia: Implications for Environmental Regulation - ResearchGate, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Mountain Ranges & Uplands
  • Land Use Industrial & Infrastructure Use
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 9 Jun 2026

Notes

This threshold marks the onset of significant ecological harm due to salinization. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AMR-IND-WEC family.

42 µS/cm Moderate
Industrial & Infrastructure Use · Conservation Target
Point Active v1
— µS/cm Moderate
Industrial & Infrastructure Use · Not Stated
OptimalRange Active v1