Water Turbidity

AUS-AKW-CON-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

150 NTU
Thresholds: Lower: —, Upper: 150
Direction: Lower is desirable ↓
Form: MinimumOnly

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 8 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 7 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

"Turbidity measurements over 150 NTU can suggest water quality is degraded".

Metric Definition:

Water Turbidity as Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU)

Benchmark Definition:

This benchmark represents the turbidity level above which water quality is considered degraded in arid karstic woodlands and shrublands under conservation management in Australia.

Justification:

Strong evidence from an analogous arid protected area (Karlamilyi National Park) indicates that turbidity values consistently >150 NTU are associated with significant ecological degradation (threefold reduction in macroinvertebrates), particularly from feral animal impacts.

Sources (1)

Preview of MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF FERAL CAMELS ... - Ninti One
MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF FERAL CAMELS ... - Ninti One Journal

MANAGING THE IMPACTS OF FERAL CAMELS ... - Ninti One, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Supporting Sources (29)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Preview of (PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
(PDF) Water quality in two Australian dryland rivers: spatial and temporal variability and the role of flow - ResearchGate, accessed July 30, 2025,
Contextual Support

(PDF) Effects of increasing salinity on freshwater ecosystems in Australia - ResearchGate

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Preview of An Assessment of Water Sources for Heritage Listed Organic Mound Springs in NW Australia Using Airborne Geophysical (Electromagnetics and Magnetics) and Satellite Remote Sensing Methods - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,
An Assessment of Water Sources for Heritage Listed Organic Mound Springs in NW Australia Using Airborne Geophysical (Electromagnetics and Magnetics) and Satellite Remote Sensing Methods - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Assessment of Water Sources for Heritage Listed Organic Mound Springs in NW Australia Using Airborne Geophysical (Electromagnetics and Magnetics) and Satellite Remote Sensing Methods - CSIRO Research Publications Repository, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support

River Health in the Flinders Ranges - EPA SA, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of An Experimental Study on the Behavior of Fish in Response to Turbidity Changes—A Case Study of Korean Fishes - MDPI, accessed July 27, 2025,
An Experimental Study on the Behavior of Fish in Response to Turbidity Changes—A Case Study of Korean Fishes - MDPI, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

An Experimental Study on the Behavior of Fish in Response to Turbidity Changes—A Case Study of Korean Fishes - MDPI, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of APPLICATION - Department for Energy and Mining, accessed July 27, 2025,
APPLICATION - Department for Energy and Mining, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

APPLICATION - Department for Energy and Mining, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ..., accessed August 5, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (2000) - Tuvalu Environment Data Portal, accessed August 3, 2025,

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Preview of Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters 1992
Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters 1992
Contextual Support Journal

Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters 1992, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of CONSULTATION INFORMATION PACK Establishing baseline data ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
CONSULTATION INFORMATION PACK Establishing baseline data ..., accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

CONSULTATION INFORMATION PACK Establishing baseline data ..., accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Cyclone Mineral Sands Project Public Environmental Review - EPA WA, accessed July 27, 2025,
Cyclone Mineral Sands Project Public Environmental Review - EPA WA, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Cyclone Mineral Sands Project Public Environmental Review - EPA WA, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,
Development of regional water quality and catchment guidelines for the conservation of aquatic ecosystems - NSW Environment Protection Authority, accessed July 30, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Defining reference condition for South Australian streams ... - EPA SA, accessed August 3, 2025

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Preview of Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters — a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed July 27, 2025,
Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters — a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed July 27, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Establishing closure targets for discharge to temporary waters — a review - Australian Centre for Geomechanics, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,
Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 16, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed July 10, 2025,

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Preview of Information note - Turbidity of water - Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, accessed July 27, 2025,
Information note - Turbidity of water - Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Information note - Turbidity of water - Cyfoeth Naturiol Cymru, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Non-prescribed Surface Water Resources ... - WaterConnect, accessed July 27, 2025,
Non-prescribed Surface Water Resources ... - WaterConnect, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Non-prescribed Surface Water Resources ... - WaterConnect, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 17, 2025,
Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 17, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Preliminary information for developing sediment guidelines for streams of the West Coast, New Zealand - Envirolink, accessed August 1, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Quantifying Health in Ephemeral Rivers - eWater, accessed July 20, 2025,
Quantifying Health in Ephemeral Rivers - eWater, accessed July 20, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

An environmental flow to an ephemeral creek increases the input of carbon and nutrients to a downstream receiving river, accessed August 1, 2025

View Source
Preview of River water quality: clarity and turbidity – published April 2020 - Stats NZ, accessed July 27, 2025,
River water quality: clarity and turbidity – published April 2020 - Stats NZ, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

River water quality: clarity and turbidity – published April 2020 - Stats NZ, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,
The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara ... - CSIRO Publishing, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia: a region of arid zone wetland diversity - CSIRO Publishing, accessed August 3, 2025

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Preview of The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia: a region of arid zone wetland diversity - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Pacific Conservation Biology, accessed July 27, 2025,
The aquatic plant communities of the Pilbara region of Western Australia: a region of arid zone wetland diversity - CSIRO PUBLISHING | Pacific Conservation Biology, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Guidance document for assessing and managing water quality in temporary waters, accessed August 3, 2025

View Source
Preview of The Impact of Turbidity on Aquatic Life: Measuring with Meters - BOQU Instrument, accessed July 27, 2025,
The Impact of Turbidity on Aquatic Life: Measuring with Meters - BOQU Instrument, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

The Impact of Turbidity on Aquatic Life: Measuring with Meters - BOQU Instrument, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Turbidity | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 11, 2025,
Turbidity | Australian Drinking Water Guidelines - NHMRC, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Australian Drinking Water Guidelines

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Preview of Turbidity | River Detectives, accessed July 16, 2025,
Turbidity | River Detectives, accessed July 16, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Turbidity | River Detectives, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Up Front - Australian Museum Publications, accessed July 27, 2025,
Up Front - Australian Museum Publications, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Journal

Up Front - Australian Museum Publications, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Water in the region - Landscape South Australia - Alinytjara Wilurara, accessed July 27, 2025,
Water in the region - Landscape South Australia - Alinytjara Wilurara, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Falls in groundwater for southern Eyre Peninsula in South Australia force 2024 decision for plant to desalinate seawater | Adelaide AZ, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source
Preview of Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Water quality | Australia state of the environment 2021, accessed August 11, 2025,
Contextual Support Government

Drivers of water quality in Afromontane-savanna rivers - Frontiers

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Preview of Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,
Water quality guidelines - Queensland Environment Department, accessed August 4, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Salinity | Murray–Darling Basin Authority, accessed August 8, 2025,

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Preview of Water quality in non-perennial rivers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Water quality in non-perennial rivers, accessed July 27, 2025,
Methodology Source Journal

Water quality in non-perennial rivers, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of Water Quality: Turbidity - Experiment - Vernier Software, accessed July 27, 2025,
Water Quality: Turbidity - Experiment - Vernier Software, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

Water Quality: Turbidity - Experiment - Vernier Software, accessed July 27, 2025,

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Preview of What is the effect of turbidity on quality of water? - Quora, accessed July 27, 2025,
What is the effect of turbidity on quality of water? - Quora, accessed July 27, 2025,
Contextual Support GreyLiterature

What is the effect of turbidity on quality of water? - Quora, accessed July 27, 2025,

View Source

Context

  • Region Australia
  • Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
  • Land Use Conservation / Protected Natural Areas
  • Assessment Pristine Reference
  • Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

  • Status Active
  • Version 1
  • Effective From 16 Mar 2026

Notes

This serves as a robust upper boundary for a degraded state.