Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)is a measure of the amount of
A)dissolved oxygen in a water sample.
B)dissolved biochemical oxygen in a water sample.
C)oxygen required to degrade organic material in the water.
D)oxygen required by aquatic life in a water sample.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) measures the amount of dissolved oxygen required by microorganisms to break down the organic material (such as sewage, dead algae, and other pollutants) in a water sample over a specific time period. As microorganisms consume oxygen during the degradation of organic material, the level of dissolved oxygen in the water decreases, leading to negative impacts on aquatic life. BOD is expressed in milligrams of oxygen per liter of water (mg/L). Therefore, BOD is a measure of the oxygen required to degrade organic material in the water.

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)is a Measure of the Amount of