Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-TGP-CON-WEC General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

390 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

A study in the Australian Alps observed streams impacted by road de-icing salts where the maximum EC reached 390 µS/cm, with up to 100% decrease in sensitive mayfly abundance.

Metric Definition:

Maximum observed EC in streams with significant macroinvertebrate community alteration

Benchmark Definition:

Electrical conductivity level associated with major macroinvertebrate community changes in alpine streams.

Justification:

Based on observed community changes in streams affected by road de-icing salts in the Australian Alps.

Sources (1)

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 Journal

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

View Source

Supporting Sources (4)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

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,

Direct Evidence GreyLiterature

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

View Source

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

View Source

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 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

Signifies complete loss of sensitive mayfly functional group at this EC level. AssessmentContext defaulted to 'Not Stated' because the source document did not state one.

Related Benchmarks

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