Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-CON-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

30 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

Peak ECs are significantly higher than the 30uS/cm of undisturbed bogs and may potentially retard bog flora vigour.

Metric Definition:

Shallow groundwater electrical conductivity within alpine peatlands, measured weekly using a network of piezometers.

Benchmark Definition:

Reference baseline electrical conductivity for pristine alpine peat bog groundwater.

Justification:

This field study provides direct, local measurements of pristine groundwater chemistry in unimpacted, endangered alpine bog ecosystems within Kosciuszko National Park.

Sources (1)

Hocking, R., Greene, R., Hughes, C., Johnston, S., & Grover, S. (2011). The impact of de-icing salts on alpine bogs in Kosciuszko National Park. GreyLiterature

Hocking, R., Greene, R., Hughes, C., Johnston, S., & Grover, S. (2011). The impact of de-icing salts on alpine bogs in Kosciuszko National Park.

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Supporting Sources (6)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - V, accessed July 22, 2025

Direct Evidence Journal

1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |

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Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000), accessed May 11, 2025,

Direct Evidence Journal

Northern Territory Government (2020) Darwin Harbour Region Water Quality Objectives, Report Card Section 3.0.

View Source

Impacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).

Direct Evidence

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Streams

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NSW Water Quality Index Targets

Regulatory Framework Journal

New South Wales Government. (2000). Water Quality Guidelines for the Border Rivers Catchment.

View Source

Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps, accessed August 12, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Feral horses (Equus caballus) increase suspended sediment in subalpine streams

View Source

Preview of Shenton, M. D., Nichols, S. J., Bray, J. P., Moulding, B. J. G., & Kefford, B. J. (2022). The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas.

Shenton, M. D., Nichols, S. J., Bray, J. P., Moulding, B. J. G., & Kefford, B. J. (2022). The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas.

Contextual Support Journal

Shenton, M. D., Nichols, S. J., Bray, J. P., Moulding, B. J. G., & Kefford, B. J. (2022). The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas.

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Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
Assessment Pristine Reference
Vegetation Wetland
Season Winter and Spring
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 13 Jun 2026

Notes

Represents the baseline background salinity threshold for sensitive subalpine bog communities. Groundwater conductivity above this level indicates localized salt pollution.

Related Benchmarks

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