RESULT

Diluted seeded wastewater

Average (mg/L)
dissolved oxygen (mg/L)
1st day (initial) 8.20 8.21 8.21 8.21
5th day (final) 8.43 8.40 8.37 8.40

Wastewater decimal fraction, P = volume of water sample

volume of BOD bottle
= 5 ml
300 ml

= 0.0167

Biochemical Oxygen Demand, BOD = initial final

P
= 8.21 8.40
0.0167
= - 11.38 mg/L
DISCUSSION

Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen needed by aerobic biological
organisms to break down organic material present in a given water sample at certain temperature
over a specific time period. Dissolved oxygen allows animals to breathe in water and it provides a
suitable habitat for the other animals. Bacteria in the water also use this oxygen to break down animals
and plants. The oxygen level is not very high in most water sources. If the oxygen level is reduced, the
animals begin to die. It is also to maintaining the aquatic life and aesthetic quality of streams and lakes.
BOD value can be used as an indicator of wastewater strength thus influencing the selection of types
of biological treatment in wastewater treatment plant. The purpose for this experiment is to measure
the amount of dissolved oxygen in the waste water for a specified period of time. The greater the
amount of organic matter present, the greater the amount of oxygen utilized. The BOD test is indirect
measurement of organic matter. For five day BOD the sample is kept in incubator.

Generally, when BOD levels are high, there is a decline in Dissolved Oxygen levels. This is
because the demand for oxygen by the bacteria is high and they are taking that oxygen from the
oxygen dissolved in the water. If there is no organic waste present in the water, there will not be as
many bacteria present to decompose it and thus the BOD will tend to be lower and the DO level will
tend to be higher. At high BOD levels, organisms such as macro invertebrates that are more tolerant
of lower dissolved oxygen such as leeches and sludge worms may appear and become numerous.
Organisms that need higher oxygen levels such as caddisfly larvae and mayfly nymphs will not survive.
DO levels are highest if the sample of water is not polluted means there is no toxic and bacterial effect
so in sample of water there is a lot of oxygen demanding wastes is well within self-purification
capacity. Otherwise, the BOD will low which is water sample not have microbes live. Then DO levels
low if sample water not have enough oxygen to dissolve in water that need to all living things.

The BOD value after five days for 5ml is -11.38mg/L, which is in the range of Standard A and
Standard B. Standard A (20mg/l) is the indicator for drinking water while Standard B (50 mg/l) is the
indicator for inland water quality. Hence, we can say that the water sample not polluted. According to
the Sewage/Effluent Standard (DOE, Malaysia), the sample can be discharge to the river untreated
because the value obtained with 5 ml of wastewater is less than 50 mg/L.
APPENDIX

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY ACT 1974 (ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY (SEWAGE AND INDUSTRIAL

EFFLUENTS)
REGULATIONS 1978
[Regulation 8 (1), 8 (2), 8 (3)]
PARAMETER LIMITS OF EFFLUENT OF STANDARDS A AND B

Parameter Unit Standard

A B

Temperature C 40 40
pH Value 6.0 - 9.0 5.5 - 9.0
BODs at 20C mg/1 20 50
COD mg/1 50 100
Suspended Solids mg/1 50 100
Mercury mg/1 0.005 0.005
Cadmium mg/1 0.01 0.02
Chromium, Hexavaient mg/1 0.05 0.05
Arsenic mg/1 0.05 0.10
Cyanide mg/1 0.05 0.10
Lead mg/1 0.10 0.5
Chromium, Trivalent mg/1 0.20 1.0
Copper mg/1 0.20 1.0
Manganese mg/1 0.20 1.0
Nickel mg/1 0.20 1.0
Tin mg/1 0.20 1.0
Zinc mg/1 1.0 1.0
Borom mg/1 1.0 4.0
Iron (Fe) mg/1 1.0 5.0
Phenol mg/1 0.001 1.0
Free Chlorine mg/1 1.0 2.0
Sulphide mg/1 0.50 0.50
Oil and Grease mg/1 Not Detectable 10.0
References

https://www.ajdesigner.com/phpoxygendemand/biochemical_oxygen_demand_equations_bod.php