Water Turbidity

AUS-TMS-LVG-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

100 NTU

Direction: Lower is desirable ↓

Form: MaximumOnly

Scoring Curve

This curve shows how a field measurement for this indicator would score across all available benchmark forms in this context.

Evidence & Context

Peaks >100 NTU (indicative, for moderate events) or prolonged high turbidity (>50 NTU persisting post-event).

Metric Definition:

Peak water turbidity during moderate wet season event flows

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark sets a maximum turbidity threshold for peak events in tropical monsoonal savannas under livestock grazing, indicating levels above which water clarity is likely harmful.

Justification:

High natural variability; benchmark reflects minimizing anthropogenic excess; light limitation at >50 NTU.

Sources (1)

Benthic Algal Resilience to Frequent Wet-Season Storm ... Journal

Benthic Algal Resilience to Frequent Wet-Season Storm ...

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Supporting Sources (17)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025

(PDF) Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

section 2 water quality in the darwin region - Environment and Natural Resources

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(PDF) Water Quality Degradation of Coastal Waterways in the Wet Tropics, Australia

Contextual Support Journal

Water resource assessment for the Victoria catchment - CSIRO

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a new approach for achieving ownership and change in catchment ...

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan - ResearchGate

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Preview of Discharge-driven seasonal pattern of ionic solutes, suspended sediment and water clarity for a tropical savanna river in northern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed July 24, 2025

Discharge-driven seasonal pattern of ionic solutes, suspended sediment and water clarity for a tropical savanna river in northern Australia - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Marine and Freshwater Research, accessed July 24, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

Marine and Freshwater Research - CSIRO PUBLISHING

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East Gippsland region - Water and catchments

Contextual Support Journal

East Gippsland region - Water and catchments

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Environment Monitoring Systems & Data for Ecosystem Studies ..., accessed July 30, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

(PDF) Evaluation of genetic markers for the metabarcoding of ...

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Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA

Contextual Support Journal

nesplandscapes.edu.au

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Environmental Factors Affecting Australia's Livestock Industries - MLA, accessed August 8, 2025

Contextual Support Journal

Effects of Livestock Grazing on Wetlands: Literature Review - Waikato Regional Council

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era.dpi.qld.gov.au, accessed May 14, 2025,

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Livestock grazing management and biodiversity conservation in Australian temperate grassy landscapes

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Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration ...

Contextual Support

Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration ...

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Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal

Contextual Support Journal

Long-term monitoring and modelling of pasture regeneration and water quality from a Bothriochloa pertusa site in the Great Barrier Reef catchments - CSIRO PUBLISHING | The Rangeland Journal

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Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan - WetlandInfo

Contextual Support Journal

Normanby Catchment Water Quality Management Plan - WetlandInfo

View Source