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
The optimal range for water nitrate, from the perspective of maintaining high ecological health and minimizing pollution from grazing, aligns with the natural background concentrations and the benchmark for the 'best available condition.' This is considered to be <0.02 mg/L NO3-N (or NOx-N), extending down towards the lowest naturally observed levels of approximately 0.005 mg/L N.
Concentration range of nitrate nitrogen in water considered optimal for ecosystem health.
This benchmark defines the optimal nitrate concentration range in water for maintaining high ecological health in tropical monsoonal savanna aquatic ecosystems under best-practice grazing.
This range reflects natural background concentrations and the benchmark for best available condition, aiming to minimize pollution from grazing.
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