Water Nitrate
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 4 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 3 guard(s) constrain the result.
Contributing Benchmarks
Evidence & Context
For the specific purpose of defining a benchmark related to 'high environmental health' under 'best-practice sustainable or regenerative land management,' any persistent elevation of water nitrate above the natural background range (e.g., >0.05 mg/L NO3-N) should be considered indicative of a degraded state relative to the 'best available condition.'
Concentration of nitrate nitrogen in water above which ecological degradation is indicated.
This benchmark marks the upper nitrate concentration limit in water above which ecological degradation is likely, indicating a compromised state under best-practice grazing in tropical monsoonal savannas.
This threshold is based on the departure from natural pristine state and early enrichment indicating anthropogenic influence and ecological degradation.
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.
The impact of nitrate pollution in waterways on freshwater species, accessed July 24, 2025,
View SourceWater Quality objectives for the region - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment
View Source