Water Electrical Conductivity (EC)
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 7 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 6 guard(s) constrain the result.
Evidence & Context
Therefore, a reference value of < 30 µS/cm is selected. This value aims to capture the typical upper boundary of EC observed in Australian alpine streams that are in a state of high ecological health and subject to minimal anthropogenic disturbance within conservation land uses.
Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) representing the 'best available condition' in Australian Alpine and Subalpine Complexes within Conservation / Protected Natural Areas.
Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) benchmark representing the best available ecological condition in protected alpine and subalpine conservation areas.
The selection of < 30 µS/cm is justified by its alignment with observed field measurements from sites explicitly identified as reference or control locations in scientific studies and with regional guideline values derived for alpine settings.
Sources (2)
1.5.2.1 Surface water - Bioregional Assessments |
View SourceImpacts of road de-icing salts on water quality and macroinvertebrates in streams of the Australian Alps (Shenton et al., 2021).
View SourceSupporting Sources (1)
Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.
Review of water quality studies in the Australian Alps | Australian ...
View Source