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
Based on evidence from unsalted reference sites in Kosciuszko National Park (maximum 26.5 µS/cm), the general character of Snowy River headwaters (<50 µS/cm), and the ANZECC 2000 guideline value for Victorian alpine upland rivers (30 µS/cm), an optimal EC range for these ecosystems is considered to be < 30 µS/cm. In many healthy alpine streams, EC values will naturally be even lower, often falling within a 10-25 µS/cm range.
Optimal range of Water Electrical Conductivity (EC) values characteristic of highest ecological health in Australian alpine and subalpine aquatic ecosystems.
Range of EC values reflecting the highest ecological integrity in minimally disturbed alpine aquatic ecosystems.
This range is supported by multiple independent sources including field measurements and regional guidelines.
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