What is Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)?

The higher amounts of waste in water increase the rates of decomposition and O2 consumption thereby decreasing the Dissolved Oxygen (DO) content of water.

As the waste amount increases, it requires more oxygen for its decomposition. This Oxygen Demand can be classified into two types-

1. Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and

2. Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

1. BOD is the method of measuring water pollution due to organic wastes.

2. BOD is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by bacteria in decomposing the organic wastes present in water. It is expressed in milligrams of oxygen per liter of water.

3. The higher value of BOD indicates a low DO content of water.

4. Since BOD is limited to biodegradable materials, it is not a reliable method of measuring water pollution.

Question- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is a standard criterion for (2017)

a. Measuring oxygen levels in the blood

b. Computing oxygen levels in forest ecosystems

c. Pollution assay in aquatic ecosystems

d. Assessing oxygen levels in high altitude regions

Answer- (c)

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What is Chemical Oxygen Demand? Click the Link for an Answer.

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