Water Turbidity

AUS-AKW-AQU-WTU General Moderate confidence

Benchmark Value

15 NTU

Thresholds: Lower: 5, Upper: —

Direction: Higher 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 20 benchmarks together — the OptimalRange form drives the primary score, while 19 guard(s) constrain the result.

Contributing Benchmarks

OptimalRange Primary LowerThreshold Guard UpperThreshold Guard Point Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard OptimalRange Guard LowerThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard OptimalRange Guard MinimumOnly Guard Point Guard LowerThreshold Guard OptimalRange Guard UpperThreshold Guard MaximumOnly Guard

Evidence & Context

The upper detrimental threshold is an operational trigger point (> 15 NTU) indicating system malfunction (e.g., feed wastage, inefficient solids removal) rather than a biological tolerance limit.

Metric Definition:

Upper detrimental turbidity threshold indicating operational system malfunction in RAS.

Benchmark Definition:

Operational turbidity threshold for triggering corrective action in RAS.

Justification:

Set deliberately low to maintain system integrity and prevent water quality degradation.

Sources (1)

The Impact of Turbidity on Fish Health in Aquaculture Systems Journal

The Impact of Turbidity on Fish Health in Aquaculture Systems

View Source

Supporting Sources (2)

Additional references from the underlying research that informed this benchmark.

Derived Benchmark based on Functional Analogue (MainStream Aquaculture) and National Guidelines (ANZECC/ANZG)

Contextual Support Government

Derived Benchmark based on Functional Analogue (MainStream Aquaculture) and National Guidelines (ANZECC/ANZG)

View Source

National Guidelines for Water Quality - Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania, accessed August 1, 2025,

Direct Evidence

Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water ...

View Source

Context

Region Australia
Biome Arid Karstic Woodlands & Shrublands
Land Use Aquaculture
Assessment Pristine Reference
Evidence Type DegradationThreshold

Lifecycle

Status Active
Version 1
Effective From 19 Mar 2026

Notes

Indicates system management failure and prompts immediate corrective action. ConsistencyResolver applied 2026-03-23 00:20 UTC: LowerThreshold 15 → 5 (check: MinAboveMax, rationale: Swapping values with MaximumOnly benchmark 897 to correct form assignment: 5 NTU is the lower threshold consistent with the best available condition and should be the MinimumOnly threshold.)

Related Benchmarks

Other benchmarks in the AUS-AKW-AQU-WTU family.