TITLE

Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)

OBJECTIVE
To determine the BOD of the sample water by using the Respirometric method

APPARATUS
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

BOD TrakTM apparatus (from Hach company) consisting of:

BOD bottles (6x473ml amber glass)
Magnetic plate and stirrer
Seal cups (six units)
Analytical funnel (propylene)
BOD incubator regulated at 20 1oC (able to exclude all light)
Beaker, 500ml
Magnetic plate and stirrer
Thermometer
Graduated measuring cylinder, 500ml

Reagents/Chemicals
1. BOD nutrient buffer pillows (from Hach company)
2. Nutrient buffer solution
3 liter of deionized water was shook in a partially filled container for one minute to saturate
the water with oxygen. 3 liter of the content then was added with one BOD nutrient buffer
pillow (from Hach Company) and was inverted several times.
3. Glucose and glutamic acid (G/GA) standard (3000 mg/L each)
4. Lithium hydroxide powder pillow (e.g from Hach Company)
5. Seed-domestic sewage
6. Sodium hydroxide solution (NaOH), 1.0 N
7. Sulphuric Acid (H2SO4)1.0

METHODS

Sample
BOD bottle volume (ml)
Blank
Seed
Standard
Sample
1

Seed
Nutrient buffer
G/GA
volume (ml)
volume
standard (ml)

320

355
20
35

420
133
-

7
-

Required
volume

Estimate BOD

420
355
160
355

10-50
198+/- 30
10-70

For the preparation of blank sample, the BOD bottle was filled with 420ml nutrient buffer
volume and added with BOD nutrient buffer pillow and then the lip was sealed by using
grease. Finally add lithium hydroxide using funnel.
For the preparation of seed, the BOD bottle was filled with 355ml seed and added with
BOD nutrient buffer pillow and then the lip was sealed with grease. Lithium hydroxide
was added by using a funnel.
For the preparation of standard, the BOD bottle was filled with 20ml seed together with
133ml nutrient buffer 7ml G/GA standard and finally added with BOD nutrient buffer
pillow. The lip was sealed with grease and lithium hydroxide was added by using a
funnel.
For the preparation of sample, the BOD bottle was filled with 320ml of sample together
with 35ml seed and finally added with BOD nutrient buffer pillow. The lip was sealed with
grease and lithium hydroxide was by using a funnel.
The bottle was placed on the base of the BOD Trak apparatus. Each bottle was
connected with compatible tube and the cap was firmly tightened. Each tube was tagged
with the channel number. The channel number setup will be reflected on the control
panel.
The BOD bottle was left in the incubator for 5 days.

RESULTS, DATA & CALCULATION

BOD bottle
Blank
Seed
Standard
sample
* BOD value of sample = 1.8 mg/L

DISCUSSION

Result
-1.2
-17.2
119
1.8

In this experiment, the prepared BOD sample was incubated for 5 days at a 20 oC. The reason
why the sample is given such a period of time is because to allow microbial metabolism of
organic compound to fully utilized the amount of oxygen within the sample water. At 20 oC, it is a
very conducive condition for the microorganisms to completely oxidize the organic compound at
the expenses of amount oxygen usage. After five days of incubation period, the BOD bottles
were removed from the incubator and the reading obtained was 1.8 mg/L for sample and -1.2
mg/L for the blank. Therefore, the BOD result showed that the dissolved oxygen from the water
sample taken was sufficiently enough as well as fall out from the range of polluted water which
is in between 2 to 8 mg/L.

CONCLUSION
Overall, the BOD value was determined by using the Respiratoric Method and this implicates
that it has a little implication towards the quality of water and its inhabitants.

REFERENCES
Dissolved Oxygen and Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Water Monitoring & Assessment, EPA
(United States Environmental Protection Agency). Retrieved June 7, 2012 from
http://water.epa.gov/type/rsl/monitoring/vms52.cfm

Water Quality, APEC, Free Drinking Water.com. Retrieved June 7, 2012 from
http://www.freedrinkingwater.com/water_quality/quality1/1-bod-effects-on-waterquality.htm

MARA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCE
B.Sc (Hons) Environmental Technology
(AS 229)

Water Resource and Technology

(EVT 525)

Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD)

Prepared by:
Heryl Bryn Hendry
2011909303

Prepared for:
Puan Nik Azlin Binti Nik Ariffin