Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)

AUS-ASC-FOR-WEC General High confidence

Benchmark Value

15.8 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. The scoring engine uses 2 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 1 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

Under baseline conditions, undisturbed alpine streams exhibit electrical conductivity (EC) values that rarely exceed 15.8 μS/cm.

Metric Definition:

Electrical conductivity (EC) measures the capacity of an aqueous solution to conduct an electrical current, standardized to 25b0C.

Benchmark Definition:

Reference-condition ceiling for electrical conductivity in undisturbed alpine streams in the Australian Alps.

Justification:

The cited source explicitly identifies the maximum EC value in a pristine alpine stream context relevant to the Australian Alps.

Sources (1)

(PDF) The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas - ResearchGate, accessed August 17, 2025,

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

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Supporting Sources (8)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Australia's forests – overview - DAFF, accessed August 5, 2025,

Contextual Support Government

Eastern Australian Temperate Forests | One Earth, accessed April 29, 2025,

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Australia's State of the Forests Report 2018 - DAFF

Contextual Support Journal

ACTIVE MANAGEMENT AND RESEARCH FOR THE ...

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Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Contextual Support Journal

Australian Heritage Database - DCCEEW

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Best Management Practices for Forest Bioenergy Programs | Request PDF - ResearchGate

Contextual Support

Best Management Practices for Forest Bioenergy Programs | Request PDF - ResearchGate

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Salinity - Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 11, 2025,

Contextual Support Direct Evidence Government

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority

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The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and ..., accessed August 17, 2025,

Direct Evidence Regulatory Framework Journal

The Effects of Road De-icing Salts on Water Quality and Macroinvertebrates in Australian Alpine Areas, accessed on May 29, 2025

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The impact of forestry as a land use on water quality outcomes: An integrated analysis

Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The impact of forestry as a land use on water quality outcomes: An integrated analysis

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www.environment.nsw.gov.au, accessed on May 25, 2025,

Direct Evidence

The Australian Alps Bioregion - Environment and Heritage, accessed on May 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Alpine and Subalpine Complex
Land Use Production Forestry
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type ReferenceCondition

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 15 Jun 2026

Notes

This is a one-sided maximum reference ceiling for EC in pristine alpine streams.

Related Benchmarks

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