BIOCHEMICAL OXYGEN DEMAND OR BIOLOGICAL OXYGEN DEMAND (BOD)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand or Biological Oxygen Demand is a measurement of the

amount of dissolved oxygen (DO) that is used by aerobic microorganisms when decomposing
organic matter in water. BOD also measures the chemical oxidation of inorganic matter (i.e., the
extraction of oxygen from water via chemical reaction). A test is used to measure the amount of
oxygen consumed by these organisms during a specified period of time (usually 5 days at 20 C)
The rate of oxygen consumption in a stream is affected by:
a. Temperature
b. pH level
c. The presence of certain kinds of microorganisms and;
d. Type of organic and inorganic mineral in water.
BOD directly affects the amount of dissolved oxygen in rivers and streams. The greater the
BOD, the more rapidly oxygen is depleted in the stream. This means less oxygen is available to
higher forms of aquatic life. The consequences of high BOD are the same as those for low
dissolved oxygen; aquatic organisms become stressed, suffocate and die.
Sources of BOD include leaves and woody debris; dead plants and animals; animal manure;
effluents from pulp and paper mills, wastewater treatment plants, feedlots and food-processing
plants; failing septic systems; and urban storm water runoff. These accelerates eutrophication, in
which water bodies become choked with excessive plant growth, which contributes to the
carbonaceous (organic) content of water bodies as these plants die and decompose.

SAMPLING CONSIDERATION
Chlorine can affect BOD measurement by inhibiting or killing the microorganisms that
decompose the organic and inorganic matter in a sample. Thus, it is necessary to neutralize
chorine with sodium thiosulfate.

METHODOLOGICAL DESCRIPTION
A. Underlying concept
There are two main methods for measuring BOD:
Method 1: It involves the incubation of a water sample over a specified period (usually
five days) at a constant temperature of 20ºC in the dark.
Method 2: This method involves the incubation of a water sample that is diluted with de-
ionised water saturated with oxygen. The incubation of the diluted sample is identical to the first
method.
B. Test procedure:
The BOD test takes 5 days to complete (BOD5) and is performed using a dissolved
oxygen test kit. The BOD level is determined by comparing the DO level of a water sample
taken immediately with the DO level of a water sample that has been incubated in a dark
location for 5 days. The difference between the two DO levels represents the amount of
oxygen required for the decomposition of any organic material in the sample and is a good
approximation of the BOD level.
 C. Formula and Sample Calculation
The following formula is used to calculate the BOD5 value:
BOD5 (mg/L) = (D1 – D2)/P
Where
D1 is the initial DO of the sample
D2 is the final DO of the sample after 5 days
P is the decimal volumetric fraction of sample used.
For example, if a sample of 100 mL is diluted to 300 mL, then P = 100/300 = 0.33
Problem:
Determine the 5-day BOD for a 15 mi sample that is diluted with water to a total volume
of 300 mL when the initial DO concentration is 8mg/L and after 5 days, it has been reduced to 2
mg/L.
Given: D1 = 8 D2 = 2 P = 15mL/300mL = 0.05

BOD5 (mg/L) = (D1 – D2)/P

= (8 – 2)/0.05
= 120 mg/L

Ultimate Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand

L = (1-10-kt)/BODt

Where:
BODt is the BOD at any time t
L is the ultimate BOD
k is the deoxygenation rate constant
t is time
Problem:
If BOD5 equals 200 mg/L and k equals 0.3/day, what is the ultimate BOD?

L = (1-10-kt)/BODt
= (1-10-(.3)(5))/200
= 257 mg O2/L.

Blank Biological Oxygen Demand

BOD5 = [(D1 – D2) – (B1 – B2)f]/ P

Where:
D1 – initial diluted seeded wastewater dissolved oxygen
D2 – final diluted seeded wastewater dissolved oxygen
B1 – initial diluted seed sample DO
B2 – final diluted seed sample DO
f – seed volume ratio
P – wastewater decimal fraction
Sample Problem
Calculate the BOD5 of a water sample, given the following data:
• Temperature of sample = 20oC
• Initial dissolved oxygen is saturation
• Dilution is 1:30, with seeded dilution water
• Final dissolved oxygen of seeded dilution is 8 mg/L
• Final dissolved oxygen bottle with sample and seeded dilution water is 2 mg/L
• Volume of BOD bottle is 300 mL

BOD5 = [(D1 – D2) – (B1 – B2)f]/ P

= [(9.2-20 – (9.1-80]/(290/300)
= 183 mg/L

D. Interpretation of Result

BOD Level Water Quality

(in ppm)
1-2 Very Good
There will not be much organic waste present in the water supply
3-5 Fair: Moderately Clean
6-9 Poor: Somewhat Polluted
Usually indicated organic matter is present and bacteria are decomposing this
waste.
100 or greater Very Poor: Very Polluted
Contains organic waste

Generally, when BOD levels are high, there is a decline in DO levels. This is because the
demand for oxygen by the bacteria is high and they are taking that oxygen from the oxygen
dissolved in the water. If there is no organic waste present in the water, there won’t be as many
bacteria present to decompose it and thus, BOD will tend to be lower and the DO level will tend
to be higher.