Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

280 µS/cm
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

This research found that a significant community shift, marked by a decline in the relative abundance of sensitive diatom species, occurred at an electrical conductivity of approximately 280 µS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical Conductivity level at which significant decline in sensitive diatom species occurs

Benchmark Definition:

Electrical conductivity threshold at which sensitive diatom species begin to decline, indicating early biological stress in temperate Australian streams.

Justification:

Based on a peer-reviewed study using diatom assemblages as sensitive biological indicators in temperate Australian streams.

Sources (1)

Preview of Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025,
Diatom–water quality thresholds in South Australian streams indicate a need for more stringent water quality guidelines | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed May 11, 2025, GreyLiterature

Validating species sensitivity distributions using salinity tolerance of riverine macroinvertebrates in the southern Murray–Darling Basin (Victoria, Australia) - Canadian Science Publishing

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Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025,
Impact of secondary salinisation on freshwater ecosystems: effects of contrasting, experimental, short-term releases of saline wastewater on macroinvertebrates in a lowland stream - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 8, 2025,
Direct Evidence Government

Comparison of two commonly used methods for identifying water quality thresholds in freshwater ecosystems using field and synthetic data - PubMed

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Preview of Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed
Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed
Contextual Support Journal

Low water conductivity increases the effects of copper on the serum parameters in fish (Oreochromis niloticus) - PubMed

View Source
Preview of The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal
The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal
Direct Evidence Journal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - University of Canberra Research Portal

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
Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Temperate Grassy Woodlands & Plains
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Not Stated
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 10 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents the earliest biological warning signal of ecological stress due to rising salinity. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-TGP-CON-WEC family.

— µS/cm High
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Pristine Reference
OptimalRange Active v1
390 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Not Stated
MaximumOnly Active v1
250 µS/cm Moderate
Conservation / Protected Natural Areas · Conservation Target
MaximumOnly Active v1