Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
Scoring Curve
The scoring engine could not generate a curve for this benchmark context. The primary form is CompositeFramework, but the benchmark data may be missing required fields (e.g., optimal range bounds for an OptimalRange benchmark). This is typically a data quality issue in the benchmark pipeline.
Evidence & Context
An optimal range for overall ecosystem health and sustainability in this context is considered to be 0.02 – 0.2 mg/L NO3−, aligning with the reference value.
Optimal range of water nitrate concentration supporting ecosystem health and preventing eutrophication.
Optimal nitrate concentration range for maintaining aquatic ecosystem health and preventing eutrophication.
Derived from ecological principles and the proposed reference benchmark reflecting high environmental health.
Sources (1)
ANZG (2018) Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality
View SourceSupporting Sources (3)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Hickey, C. (2002). Nitrate guideline values in ANZECC 2000. Memorandum MFE02237 prepared for Ministry for the Environment (New Zealand). NIWA Client Report: HAM2002-126.
View Source
Palaeovalley Groundwater Resources in Arid and Semi-Arid Australia - Geoscience Australia, accessed July 31, 2025,
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webcat.niwa.co.nz, accessed May 11, 2025
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