Term: Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical Oxygen Demand is a sum parameter and the amount of oxygen required to oxidise organic matter present in the water biochemically. So BOD is an indirect measure of the concentration of organic contamination in water. BOD analysis does not oxidise all of the organic matter present in the waste; only the organics that are biochemically degradable during n days time period at 20°C are oxidised. The day period is given as index in BODn. The standard for usual measurements is a 5-day period.