Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical Oxygen Demand

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), sometimes referred to as biological oxygen demand, is a quantitative expression of the ability of microbes to deplete the oxygen in waste water. This depletion is caused by the microbes consuming organic matter in the water via aerobic respiration. This type of respiration uses oxygen as an electron acceptor, and the organic material being consumed provides the energy source.

If oxygen is supplied to a sewage effluent containing bacteria, aerobic decomposition will occur till the oxygen demand is satisfied. The amount of oxygen absorbed during this self-purification process is called the BOD. BOD is defined as the amount of oxygen required for the degradation of organic materials and for the oxidation of inorganic materials. It is an important indication of the amount of organic matter present in the sewage (strength of the sewage).

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