Water Nitrate
Benchmark Value
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
Evidence & Context
The optimal range for high ecological integrity is from the benchmark value (< 0.002 mg/L N) up to the median concentration of pristine catchments (~0.019 mg/L N).
Optimal nitrate concentration range for ecological integrity in tropical monsoonal savannas.
Nitrate concentrations between 0.002 and 0.019 mg/L indicate a system in a state of high ecological health in tropical monsoonal savannas.
Sustained nitrate concentrations within this range indicate a system in a state of high ecological health.
Sources (1)
Nutrients in Australian tropical rivers: changes with agricultural development and implications for receiving environments | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceSupporting Sources (22)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
(PDF) Nitrogen Processes Within Tropical Mangroves in Australia - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source2024 water quality report | Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
The Tropical Savannas of Northern Australia - Charles Darwin University, accessed July 23, 2025
View SourceCarpentaria tropical savanna - Wikipedia, accessed July 25, 2025,
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DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2015 REPORT CARD WATER ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
DARWIN HARBOUR REGION 2016 REPORT CARD WATER QUALITY SUPPLEMENT - Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceDarwin Harbour water and sediment quality - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceDarwin Harbour water quality | AIMS - The Australian Institute of Marine Science, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceDarwin Harbour: Water Quality and Ecosystem Structure on a Tropical Harbour in the Early Stages of Urban Development - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceEnvironmental challenges in a near-pristine mangrove estuary facing rapid urban and industrial development: Darwin Harbour, Northern Australia | Request PDF - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceEstablishing riverine nutrient criteria using individual taxa thresholds - ResearchOnline@JCU, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
IDEAS FOR THE GREATER DARWIN REGION - CRC for Water ..., accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceMeasuring ecosystem function in Darwin Harbour sediment using microbial nitrogen cycling genes, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
Nitrogen sources, attenuation, and management in subtropical coastal waterways - Cross Connect, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
Number of species and genera of corals in the Darwin region compared with eastern and western Australia. - ResearchGate, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
Nutrient dynamics transfer and retention along the aquatic continuum from land to ocean Towards integration of ecological and biogeochemical models - BG, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceAustralian tropical savanna factsheet - Cool.org, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
Rapid Creek Report Card, accessed July 25, 2025,
View Source
Toxicant default guideline values for aquatic ecosystem protection ...
View SourceTropical savannas | EBSCO Research Starters, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceVictoria Plains Tropical Savanna | One Earth, accessed July 25, 2025,
View SourceSediments and nutrients in north Queensland tropical streams: changes with agricultural development and pristine condition status (Technical Report No. 62, Australian Rainforest CRC, 2006)
View Source