Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is Point, 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
Evidence & Context
The natural background nitrate levels in healthy, pristine tropical savanna aquatic ecosystems define the lower boundary of the healthy range. This is approximately 0.005 mg/L NO3-N (or NOx-N), based on the lowest median WQOs and observed data in reference streams.
Concentration of nitrate nitrogen (NO3-N) in water indicating the lower critical threshold below which ecosystem function is impaired.
This benchmark defines the natural lower boundary of nitrate concentration in water for healthy tropical savanna aquatic ecosystems, below which ecosystem function may be impaired.
This value is based on the lowest median water quality objectives and observed data in pristine streams, indicating the natural lower boundary of nitrate levels.
Sources (2)
Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
View SourceSediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status (Technical Report No. 62, Australian Rainforest CRC, 2006)
View SourceSupporting Sources (2)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Water Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
View Source
The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed July 24, 2025,
View Source